Argumentative Essay Rubric

Criteria

Insufficient
1

Developing
2

Sufficient
3

Exemplary
4

Needs an
1. Introduction clearly
introduction that
states the writers thesis.
states the thesis.

Introduction includes a thesis, but Includes an introduction that

its unclear.
clearly states the thesis.

Includes a compelling introduction

that clearly states the thesis.

2. Claims clearly support

Needs claims that
the writers thesis and are
support the thesis.
relevant to the text.

Includes claims that are not

relevant to the text.

Includes three or more convincing

claims that support the thesis and
are relevant to the text.

Includes at least two claims

that are relevant to the text.

3. Text-based evidence
and analysis supports
the writers claims.

Includes at least two strong

Needs text-based
Includes reasons or text-based
pieces of text-based evidence,
evidence that
evidence that are not convincing
along with analysis, that
supports the claims. or relevant.
supports each claim.

4. High-utility academic
vocabulary words are
included in the essay.

Needs high-utility
academic words.

5. Transitional words or
phrases introduce claims, Needs transitional
evidence, or new ideas. words or phrases.

6. A counter-argument is
clearly stated.

Needs a counterargument.

Includes one or two high-utility

academic vocabulary words.

Includes at least three highutility academic vocabulary

words in the right context.

Includes at least three

Includes one transitional word or
transitional words or phrases
phrase that introduces a claim,
that introduce a claim,
evidence, or new idea.
evidence, or new idea.

Score

Includes three or more convincing

pieces of text-based evidence, along
with analysis, that supports each
claim.
Includes at least four compelling
high-utility vocabulary words in the
right context.
A variety of transitional words or
phrases effectively introduce a claim,
evidence, or new idea.

Includes at least two compelling

Includes a counter-argument that Includes at least one countercounter-arguments for one or more
is not convincing or relevant.
argument for one claim.
claims.

7. The concluding
Needs a concluding
paragraph restates the
paragraph that
writers thesis using new
restates the thesis.
wording.

Includes a concluding paragraph

Includes a concluding
with the thesis, but repeats the
paragraph that restates the
same wording from the
thesis using new wording.
introductory paragraph.

Includes a well-reasoned concluding

paragraph that restates the thesis
using new wording and invokes a
response from the reader.

8. Spelling and Conventions 7 or more errors.

5-6 errors.

1-2 errors.

Student: __________________________________________

3-4 errors.

Period: _____________

Date: ___________________

Overall Score ___/3

2

Criteria Checklist for Argumentative Essay

Name:

Period:

Date:

Yes/Paragraph #

No

1. Does the introductory paragraph clearly state your thesis?

2. Did you include two or more claims to support your thesis?
3. Did you provide text-based evidence and analysis to support your claims?
4. Did you include three or more high-utility vocabulary words?
5. Did you include transitional words/phrases to introduce claims, evidence, or new idea?
6. Did you include a counter-argument for at least one of your claims?
7. Does the concluding paragraph restate your thesis using new wording?
8. Did you check for spelling and grammar (punctuation) errors?

Teacher Feedback/Comments

Student: ______________________________________

Period: _____________

Date: ________________

Score: ____/32