Develop a rubric before reading anything to decide how to grade the paper. Come up with a list of objectives that should be met in the assignment; this helps the instructor to keep the grading consistent for all students. Assign a point system for each objective.
Look for good sentence structure and good content throughout the paper, making sure thoughts and ideas connect. Writers should begin with a solid introduction, outlining what the paper will be about and what arguments the writer will make. Each paragraph should contain a cohesive thought and the first sentence should be supported by corresponding sentences within the body of the paragraph.
Examine the research to see if the supporting materials are relevant to the subject matter. A student writing a paper about business ethics should cite business publications and scholarly journals. Research should also include a balanced argument. Check the "Works Cited" page to determine if all of the citations are correct.
Analyze the grammar throughout the paper. Look for glaring mistakes and point these out to the student.
Determine if student demonstrates a strong grasp of subject matter. Reading through the paper, study the concepts to see if they are similar to coursework over the semester.