76101ArgumentAnalysisEssayRubric

Not
enough
toassess
(03)

Needsalot
ofwork
(46
points)

Fair,but
could
beimproved
(78points)

Content, Focus, and Development

points)

(70

The paper has a clear thesis or primary claim that

draws out a major issue or idea from the article.
The paper explains what is significant about the
thesis/primary claim or, whats at stake.
The paper explains one or more of the underlying
assumptions that audiences must buy into in
order to accept the authors argument conclusion.
[implied premises or warrants]
The paper makes argument analysis claims about
the source text that can be supported with
evidence from the text. [Are there claims about
the source text rather than claims about the topic
of participatory media? Do the topic sentences or
paragraph claims lead toward textual evidence?
This criterion is about task.]
The paper goes beyond a surface, cursory reading
of the text and identifies connections between the
arguments more salient premises or reasons.
[The writer has made good choices about not just
salience of premises but the connections they
have to each other. A surface reading is
typically a list of points with no developed
explanation of why and how things connect.]
The textual evidence and its explanation develops
the thesis or primary claim to build a relevant
case. [builds a robust and complex case, not
tangential, not redundant: quality]
The paper uses sufficient evidence to develop its
generalizations (e.g., details, examples,
paraphrases and quotes from the text). [quantity]

Structure, Coherence, and Language (80

points)
The paper is structured with a thesis and a
preview of the major points. (The thesis is your
papers primary claim and the major points are
the supporting grounds.)
The paper adheres to the preview of the major
points laid out in the introduction.
Paragraphs are structured by a topic sentence

Welldone
(910
points)

that is a subclaim (or, a premise) supporting the

papers primary claim (or, its argument
conclusion).
The paper makes claims in order of priority rather
than in the chronological order of the reading.
[avoiding a grocery list]
There are transitions connecting paragraphs and
sentences to each other and to the primary claim
and introductory preview.
The paper uses language effectively (such as a
consistent use of keywords and pronouns) to
show explicit connections among the thesis,
preview, and other sections of the paper.
Vocabulary and style are appropriate for
academic writing. Attention has been paid to
issues of mechanics and grammar for standard
written English. There are few, if any, errors; and
no error causes difficulty for the readers
comprehension.
The paper follows the MLA style guide and has a
works cited page and correct in-text
parenthetical documentation.

Revision (20 points)

The paper includes a feedback report indicating
revisions and responses to feedback from peer
review.
The paper shows revision that has accounted for
the instructors feedback from the rough draft.

Insight and Risk-Taking (10 points)

The paper demonstrates intellectual risk-taking
through providing insight or approaching aspects
of the task creatively.

TotalPoints

/180

Rev.8/12/2013