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HLTK 1500
Health Care Topic Paper Assignment and Rubric
You may write a paper on any topic of interest that pertains to any of the content in this
class. The paper must be original for this course and written in your own words. I check all
papers for plagiarism and submissions to previous courses. You may go to the Writing Center for
help if you have difficulty with your writing skills. Please discuss with me (via email) your
intended subject so we can narrow it down if needed – do this by October 18, 2020. The paper is
due October 25th and there is a link on Week 9 in Moodle where you may submit the assignment.
Some ideas include (but not limited to):
Researching alternative therapy use
New technology or technological advances in a particular area of care
Pay scales for various health care personnel
Personnel shortages around the country
Implications of the aging population
Pharmaceutical costs
Use of the internet in health care
Managed care
Home health services
Unserved or under-served populations
Government involvement in health care
Patents on technology and medicine
Pharmaceutical development
Assignment:
Write a 4-5-page paper using APA Guidelines for student papers from the APA 7th edition (see
the reference below and carefully review the rubric). Submit the paper using Microsoft Word –
papers will not be graded if submitted in a word processing program other than Microsoft Word.
APA Guidelines for the 7th edition can be found here:
https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/research_and_citation/apa_style/apa_style_introduction.html
The paper should include the following:
1. Title page (does not count as part of the total number of pages required for the
assignment). You do not have to include an abstract.
2. Introduction Thesis stated clearly, providing unity to the assignment. It is relevant and
compelling for the audience.
3. Body of the paper
Organization The main sections of the paper are identifiable, following a logical flow
of ideas that reinforce the thesis and evidence through effective transitions.
Idea Development A variety of types of evidence and sources are used, including
oppositional voices, that provide an insightful analysis of the topic
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4. Conclusion
5. Reference Page (does not count as part of the total number of pages required for the
assignment). A minimum of 3 references should be used.
6. See the Grading Rubric below for more information.
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HLTK 1500 Health Care Topics Grading Rubric
Criteria for Full Credit Acceptable Unacceptable
Intro
1. Define or clarify the topic of the paper.
2. Presents a thesis that is clear and provides
unity to the assignment. It is relevant and
compelling for the audience.
3. Lays a foundation for the rest of the paper by
giving readers a sense of what to expect.
Points assigned based on the
extent the criteria for full
credit are followed.
1. Topic not defined
2. Thesis not presented
3. Foundation for the rest of
the paper not presented
15 1-14 0
Body
Sections in the body of the paper are logically
present and clearly identifiable. Student uses
concise, engaging, objective and formal writing
(i.e. use of APA writing style conventions is
demonstrated with use of 3rd person and
academically appropriate: formal without being
wordy or involving affectation (unnatural or
artificial expression meant simply to impress).
Points assigned based on the
extent the criteria for full
credit are followed.
No obvious section in the
paper. Informal, colloquial
language used. Paper is
mostly 2nd or 3rd person.
20 1-19 0
Each body paragraph contains a mini thesis
identifying the paragraph topic and supporting
sentences that may include references.
Points assigned based on the
extent the criteria for full
credit are followed.
Body paragraphs do not
contain mini-theses or
supporting sentences
4 1-3 0
Major points are stated clearly and are supported
by specific details, examples, or analysis.
Points assigned based on the
extent the criteria for full
credit are followed.
Major points are unclear
and/or unsupported
4 1-3 0
Paragraph transitions are present, logical, and
maintain the flow throughout the paper.
Points assigned based on the
extent the criteria for full
credit are followed.
Paragraph transitions are not
present
4 1-3 0
The paper is at least 4 -pages long (not including
title page and reference page) but no longer than
5 pages.
Points assigned based on the
extent the criteria for full
credit are followed.
Paper is less than 4 full pages
long
4 1-3 0
Conclusion
1. Summarizes key points
2. Draws connections between important ideas
3. Reiterates the thesis
Points assigned based on the
extent the criteria for full
credit are followed.
1. Key points not summarized
2. No connections
3. Thesis not reiterated
15 1-14 0
References
and
Reference
Page
1. Required number of references are used and
are peer-reviewed or from reputable source.
2. All references cited in paper are listed on the
reference page. All references listed on the
reference page are appropriately cited in the
document.
3. Authors listed per APA guidelines, i.e. using
editor or organization as author when one not
listed, guidelines followed for multiple authors.
4. Reference page contains required scholarly
academic references and text reference.
5. Follows APA guideline of components:
double space, 12-pt Times New Roman or 11-pt
Calibri, hanging indent, alphabetized by authors
last name.
1. Less than required number
of references and/or one of
the references was not peer
reviewed or from a reputable
source.
2. One reference cited in
paper is not listed on
reference page OR one
reference listed on reference
page is not cited in the
document.
3. Reference page contains
required number of academic
resources and text reference,
but is missing one necessary
APA component.
1. Lack of congruency
between most in-text
citations and references listed
on reference page.
2. Reference page contains
less than the required number
of references or unacceptable
references or is missing
greater than one necessary
APA component.
15 1-14 0
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APA and
Mechanics
1. Follow APA Guidelines using supporting
material that is correctly and consistently
cited, demonstrating recognition of
intellectual property, i.e. all quoted or
paraphrased information in paper is
appropriately cited. APA-style in-text
citation used throughout document
2. Title page contains a page header for page
numbering, title of paper, students name,
course number and name , instructors
name, and due date, centered and doublespaced.
3. Entire paper is double-spaced with 1
margins.
4. 12-pt font, Times New Roman or 11-point
font Calibri.
5. Correct running head with pagination.
6. Appropriate use of first-level headings
(and second-level headings if needed).
7. Rules of spelling, grammar, usage and
punctuation are followed.
8. Sentences are complete, clear, concise,
varied.
Points assigned based on the
extent the criteria for full
credit are followed.
1. APA not followed
2. Intellectual property not
recognized
3. More than 10 punctuation,
grammatical, or spelling
errors
4. Sentences not complete,
clear, concise, or varied
15 1-14 0