iRubric: 7th Grade Argumentative Essay Rubric

The introductory
paragraph has a
strong hook or
attention grabber that is appropriate
for the audience.
The position
statement (thesis)
provides a clear,
strong statement of
the author's position
on the topic. A
preview (blueprint)
of the main
arguments is
included.

The introductory
paragraph has a
hook or attention
grabber, but it is
weak, rambling or
inappropriate for the
audience. The
position statement
(thesis) provides a
clear, strong
statement of the
author's position on
the topic. A preview
(blueprint) of the
main arguments is
included.

The author has an
interesting
introductory
paragraph but the
connection to the
topic is not always
clear. The position
statement (thesis) of
the author's position
on the topic is weak.
A preview (blueprint)
of the main
arguments may be
missing.

The introductory
paragraph is not
grabbing AND is
not relevant to the
topic. The position
statement (thesis) is
missing or not clear.
A preview (blueprint)
of the main
arguments is not
included.

The conclusion is
strong and leaves
the reader solidly
understanding the
writer's position.
Effective
restatement of the
position statement
begins the closing
paragraph.

The conclusion is
recognizable. The
author's position is
restated within the
first two sentences
of the closing
paragraph.

The author's position
is restated within the
closing paragraph,
but not near the
beginning.

There is no
conclusion - the
paper just ends.

The author makes
no errors in grammar
or spelling that
distract the reader
from the content.

The author makes
1-2 errors in
grammar or spelling
that distract the
reader from the
content.

The author makes
3-4 errors in
grammar or spelling
that distract the
reader from the
content.

The author makes
more than 4 errors in
grammar or spelling
that distract the
reader from the
content.