The document is a rubric for grading discussion questions in an online course. It evaluates students on the quality of their initial discussion post and responses to peers' posts, the frequency of posts, organization of writing, and use of APA style, grammar and spelling. Students can earn up to 100 points total by thoroughly addressing all components of the prompt, citing multiple references, clearly synthesizing course content, and demonstrating strong writing skills. Submissions are judged on depth of critical thinking, adherence to instructions, and mastery of formal written communication.

1. 3/10/2020 Discussion Question Rubric
https://lmscontent.embanet.com/RC/General/MSN/Rubrics/Disc
ussion_Question_Rubric_1.html 1/3
Discussion Question Rubric
Note: Scholarly resources are defined as evidence-based
practice, peer-reviewed journals; textbook (do not rely solely on
your textbook as a reference); and National Standard
Guidelines. Review
assignment instructions, as this will provide any additional
requirements that are not specifically listed on the rubric.
Discussion Question Rubric – 100 Points
Criteria Exemplary
Exceeds Expectations
Advanced
Meets Expectations
Intermediate
Needs Improvement
Novice
Inadequate
Total
Points
Quality of
Initial Post

2. Provides clear examples
supported by course
content and references.
Cites three or more
references, using at least
one new scholarly
resource that was not
provided in the course
materials.
All instruction
requirements noted.
40 points
Components are accurate and thoroughly
represented, with explanations and
application of knowledge to include
evidence-based practice, ethics, theory,
and/or role. Synthesizes course content
using course materials and scholarly
resources to support importantpoints.
Meets all requirements within the
discussion instructions.
Cites two references.
35 points
Components are accurate and mostly represented
primarily with definitions and summarization. Ideas
may be overstated, with minimal contribution to the
subject matter. Minimal application to evidence-

3. based practice, theory, or role development.
Synthesis of course content is present but missing
depth and/or development.
Is missing one component/requirement of the
discussion instructions.
Cites one reference, or references do not clearly
support content.
Most instruction requirements are noted.
31 points
Absent application to
evidence-based
practice, theory, or
role development.
Synthesis of course
content is superficial.
Demonstrates
incomplete
understanding of
content and/or
inadequate
preparation.
No references cited.
Missing several
instruction
requirements.
Submits post late.

4. 27 points
40
3/10/2020 Discussion Question Rubric
https://lmscontent.embanet.com/RC/General/MSN/Rubrics/Disc
ussion_Question_Rubric_1.html 2/3
Peer
Response
Post
Offers both supportive
and alternative viewpoints
to the discussion, using
two or more scholarly
references per peer post.
Post provides additional
value to the conversation.
All instruction
requirements noted.
40 points
Evidence of further synthesis of course
content. Provides clarification and new
information or insight related to the
content of the peer’s post.
Response is supported by course content
and a minimum of one scholarly reference

5. per each peer post.
All instruction requirements noted.
35 points
Lacks clarification or new information. Scholarly
reference supports the content in the peer post
without adding new information or insight.
Missing reference from one peer post.
Partially followed instructions regarding number of
reply posts.
Most instruction requirements are noted.
31 points
Post is primarily a
summation of peer’s
post without further
synthesis of course
content.
Demonstrates
incomplete
understanding of
content and/or
inadequate
preparation.
Did not follow
instructions regarding
number of reply posts.

6. Missing reference
from peer posts.
Missing several
instruction
requirements.
Submits post late.
27 points
40
Frequency
of
Distribution
Initial post and peer
post(s) made on three
separate days.
All instruction
requirements noted.
10 points
Initial post and peer post(s) made on two
separate days.
8 points
Minimum of two post options (initial and/or peer)
made on two separate days.
7 points

7. All posts made on
same day.
Submission
demonstrates
inadequate
preparation.
No post submitted.
6 points
10
3/10/2020 Discussion Question Rubric
https://lmscontent.embanet.com/RC/General/MSN/Rubrics/Disc
ussion_Question_Rubric_1.html 3/3
Organization Well-organized content
with a clear and complex
purpose statement and
content argument. Writing
is concise with a logical
flow of ideas
5 points
Organized content with an informative
purpose statement, supportive content,
and summary statement. Argument
content is developed with minimal issues
in content flow.

8. 4 points
Poor organization and flow of ideas distract from
content. Narrative is difficult to follow and frequently
causes reader to reread work.
Purpose statement is noted.
3 points
Illogical flow of ideas.
Prose rambles.
Purpose statement is
unclear or missing.
Demonstrates
incomplete
understanding of
content and/or
inadequate
preparation.
No purpose
statement.
Submits assignment
late.
2 points
5
APA,
Grammar,

9. and Spelling
Correct APA formatting
with no errors.
The writer correctly
identifies reading
audience, as
demonstrated by
appropriate language
(avoids jargon and
simplifies complex
concepts appropriately).
Writing is concise, in
active voice, and avoids
awkward transitions and
overuse of conjunctions.
There are no spelling,
punctuation, or word-
usage errors.
5 points
Correct and consistent APA formatting of
references and cites all references used.
No more than two unique APA errors.
The writer demonstrates correct usage of
formal English language in sentence
construction. Variation in sentence
structure and word usage promotes
readability.
There are minimal to no grammar,

10. punctuation, or word-usage errors.
4 points
Three to four unique APA formatting errors.
The writer occasionally uses awkward sentence
construction or overuses/inappropriately uses
complex sentence structure. Problems with word
usage (evidence of incorrect use of thesaurus) and
punctuation persist, often causing some difficulties
with grammar. Some words, transitional phrases,
and conjunctions are overused.
Multiple grammar, punctuation, or word usage errors.
3 points
Five or more unique
formatting errors or no
attempt to format in
APA.
The writer
demonstrates limited
understanding of
formal written
language use; writing
is colloquial (conforms
to spoken language).
The writer struggles
with limited vocabulary
and has difficulty
conveying meaning
such that only the

11. broadest, most
general messages are
presented.
Grammar and
punctuation are
consistently incorrect.
Spelling errors are
numerous.
Submits assignment
late.
2 points
5
Total Points 100
3/10/2020 Discussion Question Rubric
https://lmscontent.embanet.com/RC/General/MSN/Rubrics/Disc
ussion_Question_Rubric_1.html 1/3
Discussion Question Rubric
Note: Scholarly resources are defined as evidence-based
practice, peer-reviewed journals; textbook (do not rely solely on
your textbook as a reference); and National Standard
Guidelines. Review
assignment instructions, as this will provide any additional
requirements that are not specifically listed on the rubric.
Discussion Question Rubric – 100 Points

12. Criteria Exemplary
Exceeds Expectations
Advanced
Meets Expectations
Intermediate
Needs Improvement
Novice
Inadequate
Total
Points
Quality of
Initial Post
Provides clear examples
supported by course
content and references.
Cites three or more
references, using at least
one new scholarly
resource that was not
provided in the course
materials.
All instruction
requirements noted.
40 points
Components are accurate and thoroughly

13. represented, with explanations and
application of knowledge to include
evidence-based practice, ethics, theory,
and/or role. Synthesizes course content
using course materials and scholarly
resources to support importantpoints.
Meets all requirements within the
discussion instructions.
Cites two references.
35 points
Components are accurate and mostly represented
primarily with definitions and summarization. Ideas
may be overstated, with minimal contribution to the
subject matter. Minimal application to evidence-
based practice, theory, or role development.
Synthesis of course content is present but missing
depth and/or development.
Is missing one component/requirement of the
discussion instructions.
Cites one reference, or references do not clearly
support content.
Most instruction requirements are noted.
31 points
Absent application to
evidence-based
practice, theory, or
role development.

14. Synthesis of course
content is superficial.
Demonstrates
incomplete
understanding of
content and/or
inadequate
preparation.
No references cited.
Missing several
instruction
requirements.
Submits post late.
27 points
40
3/10/2020 Discussion Question Rubric
https://lmscontent.embanet.com/RC/General/MSN/Rubrics/Disc
ussion_Question_Rubric_1.html 2/3
Peer
Response
Post
Offers both supportive
and alternative viewpoints

15. to the discussion, using
two or more scholarly
references per peer post.
Post provides additional
value to the conversation.
All instruction
requirements noted.
40 points
Evidence of further synthesis of course
content. Provides clarification and new
information or insight related to the
content of the peer’s post.
Response is supported by course content
and a minimum of one scholarly reference
per each peer post.
All instruction requirements noted.
35 points
Lacks clarification or new information. Scholarly
reference supports the content in the peer post
without adding new information or insight.
Missing reference from one peer post.
Partially followed instructions regarding number of
reply posts.
Most instruction requirements are noted.
31 points

16. Post is primarily a
summation of peer’s
post without further
synthesis of course
content.
Demonstrates
incomplete
understanding of
content and/or
inadequate
preparation.
Did not follow
instructions regarding
number of reply posts.
Missing reference
from peer posts.
Missing several
instruction
requirements.
Submits post late.
27 points
40
Frequency
of
Distribution

17. Initial post and peer
post(s) made on three
separate days.
All instruction
requirements noted.
10 points
Initial post and peer post(s) made on two
separate days.
8 points
Minimum of two post options (initial and/or peer)
made on two separate days.
7 points
All posts made on
same day.
Submission
demonstrates
inadequate
preparation.
No post submitted.
6 points
10
3/10/2020 Discussion Question Rubric

18. https://lmscontent.embanet.com/RC/General/MSN/Rubrics/Disc
ussion_Question_Rubric_1.html 3/3
Organization Well-organized content
with a clear and complex
purpose statement and
content argument. Writing
is concise with a logical
flow of ideas
5 points
Organized content with an informative
purpose statement, supportive content,
and summary statement. Argument
content is developed with minimal issues
in content flow.
4 points
Poor organization and flow of ideas distract from
content. Narrative is difficult to follow and frequently
causes reader to reread work.
Purpose statement is noted.
3 points
Illogical flow of ideas.
Prose rambles.
Purpose statement is
unclear or missing.
Demonstrates
incomplete

19. understanding of
content and/or
inadequate
preparation.
No purpose
statement.
Submits assignment
late.
2 points
5
APA,
Grammar,
and Spelling
Correct APA formatting
with no errors.
The writer correctly
identifies reading
audience, as
demonstrated by
appropriate language
(avoids jargon and
simplifies complex
concepts appropriately).
Writing is concise, in
active voice, and avoids
awkward transitions and
overuse of conjunctions.

20. There are no spelling,
punctuation, or word-
usage errors.
5 points
Correct and consistent APA formatting of
references and cites all references used.
No more than two unique APA errors.
The writer demonstrates correct usage of
formal English language in sentence
construction. Variation in sentence
structure and word usage promotes
readability.
There are minimal to no grammar,
punctuation, or word-usage errors.
4 points
Three to four unique APA formatting errors.
The writer occasionally uses awkward sentence
construction or overuses/inappropriately uses
complex sentence structure. Problems with word
usage (evidence of incorrect use of thesaurus) and
punctuation persist, often causing some difficulties
with grammar. Some words, transitional phrases,
and conjunctions are overused.
Multiple grammar, punctuation, or word usage errors.
3 points

21. Five or more unique
formatting errors or no
attempt to format in
APA.
The writer
demonstrates limited
understanding of
formal written
language use; writing
is colloquial (conforms
to spoken language).
The writer struggles
with limited vocabulary
and has difficulty
conveying meaning
such that only the
broadest, most
general messages are
presented.
Grammar and
punctuation are
consistently incorrect.
Spelling errors are
numerous.
Submits assignment
late.
2 points
5
Total Points 100