Rubric for the Assessment of the Argumentative Essay 

  5  4  3  2-1 
A.  Well developed  Introductory paragraph  Introduction states the  Thesis and/or problem 
  introductory paragraph  contains some  thesis but does not  is vague or unclear. 
Introduction  contains detailed  background information  adequately explain  Background details are 
Background background , a clear  and states the problem,  the background of the  a seemingly random 
/history  explanation or definition  but does not explain using  problem. The problem  collection of 
Define the  of the problem, and a  details. States the thesis of  is stated, but lacks  information, unclear, or 
problem  thesis statement  the paper.  detail.  not related to the 
Thesis        topic. 
Statement  Conclusion summarizes  Conclusion summarizes  Conclusion summarizes  Conclusion does not adequately
  the main topics without  main topics. Some  main topics, but is  summarize the main points. No
  repeating previous  suggestions for change  repetitive. No  suggestions for change or
Conclusion  sentences; writer’s  are evident.  suggestions for change  opinions are included.
opinions and  and/or opinions are 
suggestions for change  included. 
are logical and well 
thought out. 
B.  Three or more main  Three or more main points  Three or more main  Less than three 
  points are well  are present but may lack  points, but all lack  main points, with 
MAIN POINTS  developed with  detail and development  development.  poor development 
Body  supporting details.  in one or two. Refutation  Refutation  of ideas. 
Paragraphs  Refutation paragraph(s)  paragraph(s)  paragraph(s) missing  Refutation missing or 
Refutation  acknowledges the  acknowledges the  and/or vague  vague. 
opposing view and  opposing view but 
summarizes their main  doesn’t summarize points. 
points. 
  Logical, compelling  Overall, the paper is  Progression of ideas in  Arrangement of essay 
  progression of ideas in  logically developed.  essay  is unclear and illogical. 
C.  essay;clear structure  Progression of ideas in  is awkward, yet moves  The writing lacks a 
which enhances  essay makes sense and  the reader through the  clear sense of 
ORGANIZAT and showcases the  moves the reader easily  text without too much  direction. Ideas, 
central idea or theme  through the text.  confusion. The writer  details or events seem 
ION  and moves the reader    sometimes lunges  strung together in a 
through the text.  Strong transitions exist  ahead too quickly or  loose or random 
Organization flows so  throughout and add to  spends too much time  fashion; there is no 
smoothly the reader  the essay’s coherence  on details that do not  identifiable internal 
hardly thinks about it.  matter. Transitions  structure and readers 
Effective, mature,  appear sporadically,  have trouble following 
graceful transitions exist  but not equally  the writer’s line of 
 throughout the essay.  throughout the ssay.  thought. Few, forced 
transitions in the essay 
or no 
transitions are present. 
  Source material is  Source material is used.  Source material is  Lacks sources and/or 
D.  smoothly integrated into  All sources are accurately  used, but  sources are not 
  the text. All sources are  documented, but a few  integration may be  accurately 
WORKS CITED  accurately documented  are not in the desired  awkward.  documented. 
in the desired format  format. Some sources lack  All sources are  Format is incorrect for all 
both in the text and on  credibility.  accurately  sources. 
the Works Cited page.  documented, but many 
are not in the desired 
format or lack 
credibility. 
E.  Sentence structure is  Sentence structure is  Work contains  Work contains 
MECHANICS  correct. Punctuation  generally correct. Some  structural  multiple incorrect 
Sentence  and capitalization are  awkward sentences do  weaknesses and  sentence structures. 
Structure  correct.  appear. There are one or  grammatical errors.  There are four or more 
Punctuation  two errors in punctuation  There are three or four  errors in punctuation 
&  and/or capitalization.  errors in  and/or capitalization. 
Capitalization  punctuation and/or 
capitalization.