Skip to main content
iRubric: Argument Essay rubric

iRubric: Argument Essay rubric

find rubric

edit   print   share   Copy to my rubrics   Bookmark   test run   assess...   delete   Do more...
Argument Essay 
College Admission Essay
Rubric Code: D26848
By katnightsong
Ready to use
Public Rubric
Subject: English  
Type: Writing  
Grade Levels: 9-12, Undergraduate

Powered by iRubric Criterion
  Good

5 pts

Fair

3 pts

Needs Improvement

1 pts

Poor

0 pts

Review Score

(N/A)

Date of Submission
5 pts

Good

Submitted to the instructor on the assigned date.
Fair

One class day late.
Needs Improvement

Two class days late.
Poor

Three class days late.
Review Score
MLA Format & Length
0 pts

Good

The writer followed all MLA Format requirements and the length of the essay is at least 750 words (3 pages) typed.
Fair

The writer followed most of the MLA Format requirements and the essay is at least 750 words (3 pages) typed.
Needs Improvement

The writer followed some of the MLA Format requirements and the essay is at least 750 words (3 pages) typed.
Poor

The writer did not meet most of the MLA Format requirements, and/or the essay is not at least 750 words (3 pages) typed.
Review Score
Introduction
5 pts

Good

The introduction contains an attention-grabbing opening statements that lead to a thesis statement.

The topic as well as both sides of the argument are presented sufficiently. The writer's side of the argument is clearly presented.
Fair

The introduction contains some attention-grabbing opening statements that lead to a thesis statement.

The topic and both sides of the argument may or may not be presented sufficiently. The writer's side of the argument is presented.
Needs Improvement

The introduction has few if any attention-grabbing statements and/or the attention-grabbing statements do not clearly lead to the thesis statement/topic.

The topic and both sides of the argument may or may not be presented sufficiently. The writer's side of the argument is not clear.
Poor

There is no clear introduction.

The two sides of the argument were not presented.
Review Score
Thesis Statement
10 pts

Good

The thesis statement clearly and concisely presents the topic and how it will be classified.

The thesis statement is placed correctly.
Fair

The thesis statement is somewhat vague in how it presents the topic and/or how it will be classified.

The thesis statement is placed correctly.
Needs Improvement

The thesis statement is vague in how it presents the topic and/or how it will be classified.

The thesis statement may not be placed correctly.
Poor

There is no clear thesis statement.
Review Score
Adding Personality
5 pts

(Voice)
Good

The writer seems to be writing from knowledge or experience. The author has taken the ideas and made them "his own."
Fair

The writer seems to be drawing on knowledge or experience, but there is some lack of ownership of the topic.
Needs Improvement

The writer relates some of his own knowledge or experience, but it adds nothing to the discussion of the topic.
Poor

The writer has not tried to transform the information in a personal way. The ideas and the way they are expressed seem to belong to someone else.
Review Score
Body: Focus & Support
10 pts

Good

Each body paragraph contains a definite topic sentence with sufficient supporting details that clearly support the thesis statement and assignment. The essay includes three clear points of argument.
Fair

Each body paragraph contains a topic sentence with supporting details that mostly support the thesis statement and assignment. The essay includes three points of argument.
Needs Improvement

Some body paragraphs have a topic sentence with some details that support the thesis statement and assignment. The points of argument in the essay are somewhat vague.
Poor

The paragraphs do not contain a topic sentence and/or contains a random collection of information that does not support the thesis statement and assignment. The points of argument in the essay are not clearly presented.
Review Score
Sequencing & Organization
5 pts

Good

Details are placed in a logical order and the way they are presented effectively keeps the interest of the reader.

The essay includes five distinct paragraphs: Introduction, three body paragraphs, and conclusion.
Fair

Some details may not be in a logical order or expected order, and this distracts the reader.

The essay includes five paragraphs: Introduction, three body paragraphs, and conclusion; however, they may not be clearly presented.
Needs Improvement

Many details are not in a logical order or expected order. There is little sense that the writing is organized.

The essay includes five paragraphs: Introduction, three body paragraphs, and conclusion; however, they are not clearly presented.
Poor

Most of the details are not in a logical or expected order. The writing is clearly not well organized and/or thought out.

The essay does not include five paragraphs: Introduction, three body paragraphs, and conclusion.
Review Score
Transitions
0 pts

(Organization)
Good

A variety of thoughtful transitions are used. They clearly show how the ideas are connected.
Fair

Most transitions work well; but connections between other ideas are unclear.
Needs Improvement

Some transitions work well; but connections between other ideas are unclear or nonexistant.
Poor

The transitions between ideas are unclear or nonexistant.
Review Score
Support for the Topic
10 pts

(Content)
Good

At least 3 pieces of specific, complex, and thoroughly examined evidence are used. Evidence is quoted, summarized, or paraphrased, and clearly supports the writer's argument.

The evidence included is not the primary focus in the essay.
Fair

At least 3 pieces of evidence are included, but they are not thoroughly explained or examined. Evidence may not be specific and/or does not support the writer's argument/thesis statement.

The evidence included may or may not be the primary focus in the essay.
Needs Improvement

Writer does not include at least 3 pieces of textual evidence. The evidence is not specific; it is simple and not fully explored. Evidence does not support the writer's argument/thesis statement.

The evidence included is the primary focus in the essay.
Poor

Writer does not include any textual evidence, or there may be too much evidence (citations) and not enough arguments.
Review Score
Conclusion
5 pts

Good
Fair
Needs Improvement
Poor

There is no clear conclusion, the paper just ends.
Review Score
Argument
5 pts

Good

The writer clearly states his or her position. Writer's argument is thoughtful, complex and thoroughly explained.
The purpose for the argument is clear.
Fair

The writer states the argument. Argument is somewhat developed.
The argument may not be as focused as it needs to be, causing the writer's argument to be somewhat weak; and purpose is not always clear.
Needs Improvement

The writer's stance on the argument is not clear. The argument is simple and not explained adequately.
The argument is not focused and/or includes contradictory information, entirely weakening the writer's argument. The purpose is questionable.
Poor

The writer does not present an argument or the writer includes too many quotes, paraphrases, and/or summaries that make the argument extremely weak or unclear.
Review Score
Grammar & Spelling
10 pts

(Grammar, Spelling, Mechanics, and Word Choice)
Good

The writer makes a few or no errors in grammar or spelling that distract the reader from the content.
Fair

The writer makes some errors in grammar and spelling that distract the reader from the content.
Needs Improvement

The writer makes many errors in grammar or spelling that distract the reader from the content.
Poor

The writer is consistently making too many errors in grammar and spelling that causes the reader to be unable to comprehend the content of the paper.
Review Score




Subjects:

Types:

Discuss this rubric




Do more with this rubric:
Preview

Preview

Preview this rubric.
Edit

Edit

Modify this rubric.
Copy

Copy

Make a copy of this rubric and begin editing the copy.

Print

Print

Show a printable version of this rubric.
Categorize

Categorize

Add this rubric to multiple categories.
Bookmark

Bookmark

Bookmark this rubric for future reference.
Assess
Test run

Test run

Test this rubric or perform an ad-hoc assessment.
Grade

Grade

Build a gradebook to assess students.
Collaborate

Collaborate

Apply this rubric to any object and invite others to assess.
Share
Publish

Publish

Link, embed, and showcase your rubrics on your website.
Email

Email

Email this rubric to a friend.
Discuss

Discuss

Discuss this rubric with other members.
 

Do more with rubrics than ever imagined possible.

Only with iRubrictm.


Copyright © 2024 Reazon Systems, Inc.  All rights reserved.
n60