Seton Hill University MBA Cybersecurity Risk Management
Written Assignments Requirements and Grading Rubric
Written Assignments Requirements
● Discussion Posts and Replies
○ Participate in online forums as you would in constructive, face-to-face discussions.
○ Postings should continue a conversation and provide avenues for additional continuous dialogue.
○ Do not post “I agree,” or similar, statements. Expand by bringing in related examples, concepts, and experiences.
■ Posts
● 250 words minimum
■ Replies
● At least 1 student’s post
● 150 words minimum
● Papers
○ 3-5 page length (including title page, does not include reference page)
○ Fonts: 11-point Calibri, 11-point Arial, 10-point Lucida Sans Unicode, 12-point Times New Roman, 11-point Georgia, 10-point
Computer Modern
○ Your paper should include four major sections:
■ Title Page (included in 3-5 pages)
● Your Name
● Class Name
● Date
● Title of Assignment
■ Abstract
● Summary of assignment in 3-5 sentences
■ Main Body
● Supporting details and paragraphs
■ References (not included in 3-5 pages)
● APA Formatting and Style
● https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/research_and_citation/apa_style/apa_formatting_and_style_guide/reference_list_autho
r_authors.html
● Grading Rubric for Written Assignments
Grading Rubric
Criteria Inadequate=D
(Below Standard)
Adequate=C
(Meets Standard)
Above Average=B
(Exceeds Standard)
Exemplary=A
(Far Exceeds Standard)
Organization Writing lacks logical
organization. It shows some
coherence but ideas lack
unity. Serious errors.
Writing is coherent and
logically organized.
Some points remain
misplaced and stray
from the topic.
Transitions evident but
not used throughout the
essay.
Writing is coherent and
logically organized with
transitions used
between ideas and
paragraphs to create
coherence. Overall unity
of ideas is present.
Writing shows a high degree of
attention to logic and reasoning
of points. Unity clearly leads the
reader to the
conclusion and stirs thought
regarding the topic.
Topic focus The topic is not clearly
defined. The topic is too
broad for the
The topic is too broad
for the scope of this
assignment.
The topic is focused but
lacks direction. The
paper is about a
specific topic but the
writer has not
established a position.
The topic is focused narrowly
enough for the scope of this
assignment. A thesis statement
provides direction for the paper,
either by statement of a position
or hypothesis.
Depth of discussion
and focus
Cursory discussion in all the
sections of the paper or
brief discussion in only a
few
sections.
The writer has omitted
pertinent content or
content runs-on
excessively. Quotations
from others outweigh
the writer’s own ideas
excessively.
In-depth discussion &
elaboration in most
sections of the paper.
In-depth discussion &
elaboration in all sections of the
paper
Level of Content Shows some thinking and
reasoning but most ideas
are underdeveloped and
unoriginal.
Content indicates
thinking and reasoning
applied with original
thought on a few ideas.
Content indicates
original thinking and
develops ideas with
sufficient and firm
evidence.
Content indicates synthesis of
ideas, in depth analysis and
evidence, original thought and
support for the topic.
Style Mostly in elementary form
with little or no variety in
sentence structure, diction,
rhetorical devices or
emphasis.
Approaches college
level usage of some
variety in sentence
patterns, diction, and
rhetorical devices.
Attains college level
style; tone is
appropriate and
rhetorical devices used
to enhance content;
sentence variety used
effectively.
Shows outstanding style going
beyond usual college level;
rhetorical devices and tone
used effectively; creative use of
sentence structure and
coordination
Cohesiveness Does not tie together
information. Paper does not
flow and appears to be
created from disparate
issues. Headings are
necessary to link concepts.
Writing does not
demonstrate understanding
any relationships
Sometimes ties together
information from all
sources. Paper does
not flow –
disjointedness is
apparent. Author’s
writing does not
demonstrate an
understanding of the
relationship among
material obtained from
all sources.
For the most part, ties
together information
from all sources. Paper
flows with only some
disjointedness. Author’s
writing demonstrates an
understanding of the
relationship among
material obtained from
all sources.
Ties together information from all
sources. Paper flows from one
issue to the next without the
need for headings. Author’s
writing demonstrates an
understanding of the relationship
among material obtained from
all sources.
Sources Not all web sites utilized are
credible, and/or sources are
not current/scientific
All web sites utilized are
credible, and/or sources
are not
current/scientific
All web sites utilized are
authoritative, and/or
sources are current/not
scientific
All web sites utilized are
authoritative, and/or sources
are current and scientific
Grammar &
Mechanics
Spelling, punctuation, and
grammatical errors create
distraction, making reading
difficult; fragments, comma
splices, run-ons evident.
Errors are frequent.
Most spelling,
punctuation, and
grammar are correct
allowing the reader to
progress through the
essay. Some errors
remain.
Essay has few spelling,
punctuation, and
grammatical errors
allowing the reader to
follow ideas clearly. Very
few fragments or
run-ons.
Essay is free of distracting
spelling, punctuation, and
grammatical errors; absent of
fragments, comma splices, and
run-ons.
