DEBATE GRADING RUBRIC

LEVELS OF PERFORMANCE FOR THE AFFIRMATIVE AND NEGATIVE SIDE

Criteria 5 4 3 2
1. Organization – main Completely clear and Mostly clear and Clear in some parts Unclear and
arguments and orderly presentation orderly in all parts but not overall disorganized
responses outlined in a throughout
clear and orderly way.
2. Use of Argument – Very strong and Many good arguments Some decent Few or no real
reasons given to support persuasive arguments given, with only minor arguments, but some arguments given, or all
the resolution given throughout problems significant problems arguments given had
significant problems
3. Use of Cross- Excellent cross-exam Good cross-exam and Decent cross-exam Poor cross-exam or
Examination and and defense against rebuttals, with only and/or rebuttals, but rebuttals, failure to
Rebuttal – identification negative teams’ minor slip-ups with some significant point out problems or
of weakness in negative objections problems failure to defend itself
team’s arguments and against attack
ability to defend itself
against attack
4. Presentation Style – All style features used Most style features Few style features Very few style features
Tone of voice, clarity of convincingly used convincingly used convincingly used, none of them
expression, precision of convincingly
arguments all
contributing to keeping
audience’s attention and
persuading on the topic.