Pod A Name__________________________
Category 4 3
Author captures the reader’s attention
Hook and makes them want to keep reading.
Their hook is creative and original
Author has a strong, specific claim is
arguable and evidence is persuasive.
Author establishes credibility and
Claim Evidence
acknowledges the other side. Author
Reasoning
makes clear connections between
evidence and claim via reasoning
Author has created an emotional
connection for the reader. Their
So What evidence is logical and relevant. The
author’s voice is heard through the
reasoning.
The content is related to a need of the
author’s focus group. It stays on topic.
Relevance to
The problems that the Author has
Focus Group
identified in their focus group have been
stated
Author’s call to action is specific and
clear and makes the reader want to
Conclusion make a difference.
Author uses complex vocabulary. There
are transitions and ideas flow from one
Language to the next.
Guidelines Yes_____ No_____ (MLA, Works Cited, 400 - 450 words)
Title__________________________
The hook is captivating but the
Author needs to add more creativity
Author needs to make their claim
more specific. Author needs to
establish their credibility through
ethos. Author needs to add more
detailed reasoning to connect
evidence to claims.
The topic is emotional but author
needs to reason with the evidence
to show that they are passionate
about the topic.
Author needs to keep the content of
their writing on the topic, but it is
generally connected
Author needs to make their call to
action more persuasive or impactful
Author uses some complex vocab
but needs to organize their ideas so
that they build from one to the next.
2 1
Author needs to make the hook
more original and put more
thought into its development
Author needs to acknowledge
the other side’s argument.
Their claim should be specific
and arguable. Author needs to
reason with their evidence to
show the reader the connection
to the claim.
Author needs to elaborate on
their topic and put more of their
voice in the text.
Author needs to choose a topic
that is relevant to their focus
group now, rather than in the
past or in the future.
Author needs to clarify what
their call to action is by posing
a solution to the problem
presented or encourage the
reader to take action.
Author needs to use transitions
so that ideas flow and are not
confusing. Author should vary
their vocabulary usage so that
words are not overused.
Score _____/25
The Author needs a hook that
captures the attention of the
reader
Author needs to make sure
there is another side so their
claim is arguable. Author needs
to add evidence to support their
claim
Author needs to show that they
care about the topic by adding
in emotional reasoning
between the logical evidence.
Author needs to choose a topic
that is relevant to their focus
group’s needs.
Author needs to add a call to
action.
Author needs to make their
ideas connect and make that
connection clear to the reader.
 Name​____________________
Rubric Self-Assessment  
Look over the rubric we created and score your current op-ed. Where does your op-ed stand according to these specifications? 
What score did you receive according to the rubric? ​________
What section is the most challenging for you? ​____________
What section do you excel at?​____________ 

Why did you give yourself the score that you did? Be  What concerns you about your current op-ed? 
detailed in your explanation and address every section  (note: reference specific parts of the rubric, avoid using 
of the rubric.  terms like “good” or “bad”) 
   
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

What do you feel is the best part of your op-ed?   What will be the focus of your revisions moving 
  forward? 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

What help do you need from peers or teachers in order  What part of your op-ed do you think is the most 
to improve your op-ed before the final draft is do?  compelling? ​(what will you use as evidence in your student 
  testimonial)