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iRubric: Argumentative Essay rubric

iRubric: Argumentative Essay rubric

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Argumentative Essay 
Persuasive writing on a controversial subject.
Rubric Code: UA7A53
By jeangold
Ready to use
Public Rubric
Subject: English  
Type: Writing  
Grade Levels: 9-12

Powered by iRubric Argumentative Essay
  Poor

1 pts

Fair

2 pts

Good

3 pts

Excellent

4 pts

Introduction

Poor

Thesis and/or problem is vague or unclear. Background details are a seemingly random collection of information or not related to the topic.
Fair

Introduction states the thesis but does not adequately explain the background of the problem. The problem is stated, but lacks detail.
Good

Introductory paragraph contains some background information and states the problem, but does not expand details. States the thesis of the paper but the thesis is not the last sentence of the introduction.
Excellent

Well developed introductory paragraph contains detailed background, a clear explanation or definition of the problem, and a correctly placed thesis statement.
Conclusion

Poor

Conclusion does not adequately summarize the main points. No suggestions for change or opinions are included.
Fair

Conclusion summarizes main topics, but is repetitive. No suggestions for change and/or opinion are included.
Good

Conclusion summarizes main topics. Some suggestions for change are evident.
Excellent

Conclusion summarizes the main topics without repeating previous sentences; writer's opinions and suggestions for change are logical and well thought out.
Main Points/Supporting Evidence

Poor

Less than three main points, with poor development of ideas. Refutation missing or vague.
Fair

Three or more main points, but all lack development. Refutation paragraph(s) missing and/or vague.
Good

Three or more main points are present but may lack detail and development in one or two. Refutation paragraph(s) acknowledges the opposing view but doesn't summarize points.
Excellent

Three or main points are well developed with supporting details. Refutation paragraph(s) acknowledges the opposing view and summarizes their main points.
Organization

Poor

Arrangement of essay is unclear and illogical. The writing lacks a clear sense of direction. Ideas, details, or events seem strung together in a loose or random fashion; there is no identifiable internal structure and readers have trouble following the writer's line of thought. Few, forced transitions in the essay or none at all.
Fair

Progression of ideas in essay is awkward, yet moves the reader through the text without too much confusion. The writer sometimes lunges ahead too quickly or spends too much tine on details that do not matter. Transitions appear sporadically, but not equally throughout the essay.
Good

Overall, the paper is logically developed. Progression of ideas in the essay makes sense and moves the reader easily through the text.

Strong transitions exist throughout and add to the essay's coherence.
Excellent

Logical, compelling progression of ideas in the essay; clear structure that enhances the central idea or theme and moves the reader through the text. Organization flows smoothly.

Effective, mature, graceful transitions exist throughout the essay.
Mechanics

Poor

Work contains multiple incorrect sentence structures. There are four or more errors in punctuation and/or capitalization.
Fair

Work contains structural weaknesses and grammatical errors. There ar three or four errors in punctuation and/or capitalization.
Good

Sentence structure is generally correct. Some awkward sentences do appear. There are one or two errors in punctuation and/or capitalization.
Excellent

Sentence structure is correct. Punctuation and capitalization are correct.
Textual Evidence

Poor

There was no textual evidence in the essay.
Fair

Student cited information from research once in the essay.
Good

Student cited information from research into the essay two times.
Excellent

Student cited information from research into the essay several times.
Works Cited

Poor

Lacks sources and/or sources are not accurately documented. The format is incorrect for all sources.
Fair

Source material is used, but integration may be awkward. All sources are accurately documented, but many are not in the desired format or lack credibility.
Good

Source material is used. All sources are accurately documented, but a few are not in the desired format. Some sources lack credibility.
Excellent

Source material is smoothly integrated into the text. All sources are accurately documented in the desired format both in the text and on the Works Cited page.
Formatting

Poor

Either the heading was correct, or there were errors in the heading, but the essay was not double-spaced.
Fair

There were two or more errors in the heading, but the essay was double-spaced.
Good

There was one error in the heading, but the essay was double-spaced.
Excellent

The essay is done with double-spacing and the heading is correct.




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