Rubric Argumentative Essa y Name: __________________________________________________________ Section: _______________

Topic:_______________________________________________________________________________________

Quality STRUCTURE Heading Introduction Background/history Define the problem Thesis Statement Conclusion 10pts

Strongest: 10

Adequate: 5 - Paper is mostly focused and does not go off on tangents - Attempts to make a point - MLA Formatting lacking - Some supporting details - Some repetition of story components - Addresses some of the best arguments of the opposition - Includes some good quotes from packet texts and writers research - Mainly follows through on the thesis - The reader occasionally gets confused

Weakest: 1 - Paper is not focused and goes off on tangents - Point uncertain - No attention to MLA formatting - Few or irrelevant supporting details - Redundancy - Addresses few or none of the best arguments of the opposition - Includes some quotes from packet texts and writers research - Does not follow through on the thesis - The reader is generally confused - Minimal display of understanding of necessities of MLA (in-text citations, references, quotes, paraphrase, etc) - No relevance of sources or quotes used in paper - Limited connection wider world - No character of writer - Few connections between narrative & tone - Does not answer readers' questions - Invites little reader interest - Overuse of passiv e voice

Score

- Paper is focused and doesnt go off on tangents - Makes a point - MLA Formatting perfect

MAIN POINTS Body Paragraphs Refutation 10pts

- Includes rich supporting details - Avoids redundancy - Addresses the best arguments of the opposition - Includes relevant quotes from research and secondary texts - Follows through on thesis - The reader does not get confused - Points made in thesis are addressed in the same order throughout - Displays clear understanding of MLA Citation & Reference requirements - Demonstrates significant reflection on sources - Establishes signif icant connection between topic & w ider world - Character of writer is consis tently conveyed - Tone fits narrativ e - Anticipates & answers readers questions - Engages readers interest - Active voice

ORGANIZATION 10pts

WORKS CITED Required 2 cited secondary sources 10pts

- Surface understanding but missing important elements - Some sources dont seem connected or totally relevant - Some connection between topic & wider world

MECHANICS Sentence Structure Punctuation & Capitalization 10pts

- Character of writer varies - Tone strays from narrative - Leaves some unanswered questions - Invites some interest - Moderate use of the passiv e voice

Comments:
_____ Thesis Assignment _____ Pre-writing _____ Secondary Sources Worksheet _____ Rough Draft _____ Work Cited Page

Total Points

Percentage

Grade

Adapted Sept 2011 from: http://slpshs.schoolwires.net/19732093020565660/lib/19732093020565660/Argumentative_Essay_Rubric.pdf