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iRubric: Rubric for the Explaining Opposing Views Essay

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Rubric for the Explaining Opposing Views Essay Rubric for the Concept Essay A tool to evaluate the 700-800 word concept essay explaining opposing viewpoints of a current controversy. Three sources required. Rubric Code: R6C9C7 By johndesjarlais Ready to use Public Rubric Subject: English Type: Writing Grade Levels: Undergraduate

Content, Development & Organization
	Poor 10 pts	Fair 20 pts	Good 25 pts	Excellent 30 pts
Content & Development 30 pts Do you think the writer clearly explains and fully develops the different positions on the issue? SCORE:	Poor Analysis seems confused, superficial, obvious, brief or poorly supported.	Fair Partially explains the issue and the different views with some uncertainty about the importance of the issue or the varied views.	Good Analysis of differing views is adequate. Still needs more information, reasons or details to clearly explain the points of agreement and disagreement.	Excellent Analysis of differing views is interesting, original, complete and well supported.
Organization 30 pts Is the synthesis clear and easy to follow? Are paragraphs unified around a single topic and cohesive? Is the issue (and the opposing positions) introduced effectively? Is the plan - chunking or comparing - readable with helpful transitions? SCORE:	Poor Paragraphs uncontrolled and poorly connected. Weak or missing transitions. Ineffective or incomplete introduction, and conclusion.	Fair Plan seems erratic or not fully under control. Essay divided into introduction, body, and conclusion but lacks energy and engagement.	Good Follows a workable plan. Paragraphs are focused with good transitions. Set up is serviceable, body is readable, and conclusion works.	Excellent Effective and logical plan with fine transitions and forecasting. Essay employs superb introduction, complete body, and satisfying conclusion.
Sources & Quotes
	Poor 2 pts	Fair 5 pts	Good 10 pts	Excellent 15 pts
Sources & Quotes 15 pts Are there at least 3 credible, relevant sources that are used effectively? Is MLA Style followed correctly in citations and the Works Cited page?	Poor Does not use sources (or only one, or inappropriate ones) or the quotes, summaries and paraphrases are poorly handled or fail to to describe or explain the issue and views on it. Does not use correct MLA style.	Fair Uses some quotes, summary and paraphrasing from sources, but sources poor or issue is difficult to visualize or understand. Does not use correct MLA style	Good Uses quotes, summary and paraphrasing from 3 sources to explain the concept. Uses MLA style with some errors.	Excellent Excellent use of 3 or more sources that are summarized, paraphrased or quoted to enliven and explain the issue. Correct use of MLA style.
Fairness and Impartiality
	Poor 2 pts	Fair 5 pts	Good 8 pts	Excellent 10 pts
Fairness and Impartiality 10 pts Does the writer remain fair, balanced and unbiased? Does the writer keep his/her opinion out?	Poor Writer reveals his/her own position or obviously favors one over the others.	Fair Writer treats some views fairly and fully, others not, or begins to critique views	Good Writer treats most views fairly and fully	Excellent Writer treats all views fairly and fully
Grammar and Style
	Poor 2 pts	Fair 5 pts	Good 8 pts	Excellent 10 pts
Grammar 10 pts Are there spelling, punctuation, and capitalization errors? Are there grammar errors, such as fragments, run-ons, comma splices, or subject-verb agreement? Do these errors make the writing difficult to understand? SCORE:	Poor Contains many distracting errors that make the writing difficult to understand. Writing is confusing and hard to follow. Sentences are simple and vocabulary is limited.	Fair A few errors or a pattern of errors in punctuation, grammar, spelling, and capitalization. Grammar problems make some sentences difficult to understand. Sentences lack variety and interest. Vocabulary simple and perhaps colloquial	Good Punctuation, spelling, grammar, and capitalization are generally correct with few errors. Sentences are varied. Vocabulary is good.	Excellent No significant errors in punctuation, spelling, grammar, or capitalization. Ideas are clear and easy to understand. Writing is smooth and skillful. Sentences are varied and expressive. Vocabulary is mature.
Formatting
	Poor 1 pts	Fair 2 pts	Good 4 pts	Excellent 5 pts
Formatting 5 pts Does the writer follow the guidelines to use 1 inch margins, double space the essay, and indent 5 spaces for the first line of a new paragraph?	Poor Formatting guidelines and assignment specifications are not followed.	Fair Several formatting errors.	Good Missing one formatting element.	Excellent Formatting follows assignment specifications.

Keywords:

opposing views essay, Freshman Composition

Subjects:

English

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