DEBATE GRADING RUBRIC

Levels of Performance for the Government Side

Criteria 15 10 5 0 Grade:
1. Organization Completely Mostly clear Clear in some Unclear and  
& Clarity:  clear and and orderly in parts but not disorganized
orderly all parts overall throughout
presentation
Main arguments and
responses are
outlined in a clear
and orderly way.
2. Use of Very strong Many good Some decent Few or no real  
Argument:  and arguments arguments, arguments
persuasive given, with but some given, or all
arguments only minor significant arguments
Reasons are given to given problems problems given had
support the throughout significant
resolution problems
3. Use of cross- Excellent Good cross- Decent cross- Poor cross-  
examination cross-exam exam and exam and/or exam or
and defense rebuttals, with rebuttals, but rebuttals,
and rebuttal:  against only minor with some failure to point
Negative slip-ups significant out problems in
Identification of team’s problems Negative
weakness in objections team’s position
Negative team’s or failure to
arguments and defend itself
ability to defend against attack.
itself against attack. 
4. Presentation All style Most style Few style Very few style  
Style:  features were features were features were features were
used used used used, none of
convincingly convincingly convincingly them
Tone of voice, convincingly
clarity of expression,
precision of
arguments all
contribute to keeping
audience’s attention
and persuading them
of the team’s case.
          TOTAL
SCORE:

 _____
Levels of Performance for the Opposition Side
Criteria 15 10 5 0 Grade:
1. Organization Completely Mostly clear Clear in some Unclear and  
& Clarity:  clear and and orderly in parts but not disorganized
orderly all parts overall throughout
presentation
Main arguments and
responses are
outlined in a clear
and orderly way.
2. Use of Very strong Many good Some decent Few or no real  
Argument:  and arguments arguments, arguments
persuasive given, with but some given, or all
arguments only minor significant arguments
Reasons are given given problems problems given had
against the throughout significant
resolution problems
3. Use of cross- Excellent Good cross- Decent cross- Poor cross-  
examination cross-exam exam and exam and/or exam or
and defense rebuttal, with rebuttal, but rebuttal, failure
and rebuttal:  against only minor with some to point out
Affirmative slip-ups significant problems in
Identification of team’s problems Affirmative
weakness in objections team’s position
Affirmative team’s or failure to
arguments and defend itself
ability to defend against attack.
itself against attack. 
4. Presentation All style Most style Few style Very few style  
Style:  features were features were features were features were
used used used used, none of
convincingly convincingly convincingly them
Tone of voice, convincingly
clarity of expression,
precision of
arguments all
contribute to keeping
audience’s attention
and persuading them
of the team’s case.
          TOTAL
SCORE:

_______