COM425 Grading Rubric
Assignment: Final Paper
The purpose of the COM 425 Final Paper is to provide you with an opportunity to demonstrate your knowledge of the
organizational communication concepts and skills that you have learned throughout this course.

Imagine that you are proposing a new communication structure for an organization. Write a formal proposal in which you
discuss at least five concepts that you feel are most important for successful communication within an organizational
setting. Address why these concepts are necessary for successful communication and how best to implement them within
an organization.

Examples of concepts that you may choose to use are: active listening, organizational culture, conflict resolution, key
principles of human communication, leadership strategies, formal and informal communication, etc.

Your information for this paper should not be based on your own opinions; you must back up your information with
research. The research may include readings from this course or from outside sources. In total, your paper must include at
least five (5) sources with at least two (2) from ProQuest, which can be found in the Ashford Online Library. This is a
formal paper and should include proper grammar, complete sentences, appropriate paragraphs, and correct
citations/references in proper APA style. Along with explaining the communication concepts and including the research,
you can also use your personal experiences to explain the research that you are presenting in your paper.

NOTE: A full sentence outline of this assignment will be submitted during Week Three. You will receive feedback on
your outline so that you can make improvements before you submit your final paper in Week Five.

The paper must be eight to ten pages in length (excluding title and reference pages) and formatted according to APA style.
You must use at least five scholarly resources (two of which must be found in the Ashford Online Library) other than the
textbook to support your claims and subclaims. Cite your resources in text and on the reference page. For information
regarding APA samples and tutorials, visit the Ashford Writing Center, within the Learning Resources tab on you’re the
left navigation toolbar, in your course.

Writing the Final Paper
The Final Paper:
1. Must be eight to ten double-spaced pages in length, and formatted according to APA style as outlined in the
Ashford Writing Center.
2. Must include a title page with the following:
a. Title of paper b. Student’s name
c. Course name and number
d. Instructor’s name
e. Date submitted
3. Must begin with an introductory paragraph that has a succinct thesis statement.
4. Must address the topic of the paper with critical thought.
5. Must end with a conclusion that reaffirms your thesis.
6. Must use at least five scholarly resources, including a minimum of two from the Ashford Online Library.
7. Must document all sources in APA style, as outlined in the Ashford Writing Center.
8. Must include a separate reference page, formatted according to APA style as outlined in the Ashford Writing
Center.

Grading Criteria
Final Paper
25 points possible
Content Criteria 6 pts.
Student paper focuses on five (5) specific Organizational Communication concepts from this
course.
3
Student follows the instructions of this assignment. 3
Writing Skills 4 pts.
Student writing is logical, clear, and well-constructed. 2
Student writing flows nicely with good transitions. 1
Student writing is grammatically correct with minimal errors. 1
Research Criteria 9 pt.
Student uses at least five (5) professional and academic resources, including at least two (2)
from ProQuest.
3
Student uses research to back up ideas presented. 3
Student includes a reference page for all of the sources used in the paper. 3
Style Criteria 6 pts.
Student paper is eight to ten pages in length (excluding title and reference pages) and is in the
correct format (double spaced, 12 point Times New Roman font).
3
Student paper follows APA guidelines. 3