CC Argument Rubrics 2012
Argument Essay Rubric
Adapted from SPPS ELA Common Core Rubrics for Argument and
MN States Standards for Geographic Skills
Persuasion is a broad term, which includes many tactics designed to move people to a position, a belief, or a course of action
Argument is a specific kind of persuasion using logic, reasoning and research
Claim is the thesis of an argument, what the writer is trying to prove
Counterclaim is a claim that disagrees with a claim or negates a claim
Geo-Spatial Skills is understanding maps; identifying, interpreting and explaining features and using and analyzing with resources.
My claim is about a
local or regional (or
facility location)
geography topic that
uses geo-spatial
technology to
support claim and/or
counterclaim
Possible Topics
Unit 2: Population and Migration: Population Control Methods,
Immigration Policy,
Unit 3: Agriculture and Land Use: GMO, Use of Chemicals in
agricultural practices, Food Distribution,
Unit 4: Resources: Best alternative energy sources, best use of finite
natural resources, Governmental/Global resources policy,
Unit 5: Economic Development and Industrialization:
Assistance/Support for developing countries, Progress vs Pollution,
Gender: The role of women in a society, Two paths for development,
Unit 6: Political Geography: Supra-nationalism, nationalism and
boundaries, naming rights, territorial claims, ethnic conflict,
neocolonialism, border conflict, current “colonies” domestic or foreign
Unit 7: Cultural Geography: English as the official language of the US,
Religious Conflict, Secular or Theocratic Governments, Assimilation,
the decline of folk/indigenous culture,
Unit 8: Urban Geography: Mixed use development, Zoning,
Transportation policy, Urban renewal, gentrification.
Model UN
Business Analyst Online – free download
ArcGis
Google Earth
Geo-Spatial Skills Ideas from Colleagues
Census Bureau
Population Pyramids
Population Reference Bureau
Food for Thought
Hungry Planet by Peter Menzel
Hungry Planet by Peter Menzel
GapMinder
National Geographic – web/images
Hungry Planet by Peter Menzel
Material World by Peter Menzel
MNDOT
12th Government
10th Human Geography
8th Global Studies
Common Core
6.14.1.1 Write arguments focused on discipline-specific content
a. Introduce claim(s) about a topic or issue, acknowledge and distinguish the claim(s) from alternate
or opposing claims, and organize the reasons and evidence logically.
b. Support claim(s) with logical reasoning and relevant, accurate data and credible evidence that
demonstrate an understanding of the topic or text, using credible sources
c. Use words, phrases and clauses to create cohesion and clarify the relationship among claim(s),
counterclaims, reasons and evidence
d. Establish and maintain a formal style
e. Provide a concluding statement or section that follows from and supports the argument presented
9.14.1.1 Write arguments focused on discipline-specific content
a. Introduce precise claim(s), distinguish the claim(s) from alternate or opposing claims, and create
an organization that established clear relationships among the claim(s), counterclaims, reasons and
evidence
b. Develop claim(s) and counterclaims fairly, supplying data and credible evidence for each while
pointing out the strengths and limitations of both claim(s) and counterclaims in a disciplineappropriate form and in a manner that anticipated the audience’s knowledge level and concerns.
c. Use words, phrases and clauses to create cohesion and clarify the relationship among claim(s),
counterclaims, reasons and evidence
d. Establish and maintain a formal style
e. Provide a concluding statement or section that follows from and supports the argument presented
11.14.1.1 Write argument focused on discipline-specific content
a. Introduce precise, knowledgeable claim(s), establish the significance of the claim(s), distinguish
the claim(s) form alternate or opposing claims
b. Develop claim(s) and counterclaims fairly and thoroughly, supplying the most relevant data and
credible evidence for each while pointing out the strengths and limitations of both claim(s) and
counter claims in the a discipline-appropriate form that anticipates the audience’s knowledge level,
concerns, values, and possible biases.
c. Use words, phrases and clauses to create cohesion and clarify the relationship among claim(s),
counterclaims, reasons and evidence
d. Establish and maintain a formal style
e. Provide a concluding statement or section that follows from and supports the argument presented
Social Studies Standard
8.4.1.2.1
Formulate questions about topics in geography;
pose possible answers; use geospatial technology
to analyze problems and make decisions within a
spatial context.
9.4.1.2.1
Use geospatial technologies to make and justify
decisions about the best location for facilities
or
9.4.1.2.2
Use geospatial technologies to develop plans for
analyzing and solving local and regional
problems that have spatial dimensions
9.1.1.1.4
Examine a public policy issue by defining the
problem, developing alternative courses of
action, evaluating the consequences of each
alternative, selecting a course of action, and
designing a plan to implement the action and
resolve the problem
8TH GLOBAL STUDIES
SPPS Argument Rubrics: ELL, Model UN, Global Studies, Human Geography, Government
December 2012
CC Argument Rubrics 2012
Category
a. Claims
Introduction
a. Reason and
Evidence
Organization
b. Claim
Support
e. Conclusion
d. Formal
Style
GeoSpatial
Skills
4 – Exceeding Standard
My introduction about a
topic in geography includes
a claim clearly
distinguishable from a
counterclaim.
My reasons are linked to
supporting evidence and
organized in a logical
manner.
My claims are supported
with logical reasoning and
relevant evidence from
accurate, credible sources
(including geo-spatial
technology) to demonstrate
my understanding of the
topic.
My conclusion strengthens
the overall claim(s) and key
reasons and closes my
product effectively, by
making distinctions from
counterclaim(s).
I can communicate clearly
and thoroughly to the target
audience using third person,
facts, and relative context.
My claim is about a
geographic problem that is
addressed thoroughly using
geo-spatial technology.
3 – Meets Standard
2 – Approaching Standard
1 – Below Standard
My introduction about a
topic in geography
introduces a claim and
counterclaim.
My introduction about a
topic in geography included
claims and counterclaims
that are not distinguishable
from each other.
My reasons and evidence
are not organized or logical.
My introduction about a
topic in geography does not
include claims and
counterclaims.
My reasons and evidence
are disorganized.
No evidence
My claims are supported
with logical reasoning and
relevant evidence from
credible sources to
demonstrate my
understanding of the topic.
My claims are supported by
some reasoning and
evidence.
I have reasons, but no
evidence to support my
claims.
No evidence
My conclusion restates the
overall claim(s) and key
reasons and closes my
product effectively.
My conclusion restates the
overall claim(s).
I included a conclusion, but
it is an ineffective
conclusion.
No evidence
I can communicate to the
target audience using third
person, facts, and relative
context.
My claim is about a
geographic problem that is
addressed using geo-spatial
technology.
I keep target audience in
mind but include opinion in
addition to facts.
I used slang, first person,
and/or opinion. I did not
keep my target audience in
mind.
My claim is not about a
geographic problem and/or
does not use geo-spatial
technology.
No evidence
My reasons and evidence
are organized and logical.
My claim is about a
geographic problem, but is
not addressed using geospatial technology.
ELL Geography Level 3 Rubric – Developed by LEAP and Rebecca Biel
0 – Far from
Meeting Standard
No evidence
No evidence
4 – Exceeding Standard
3 – Meets Standard
2 – Approaching Standard
1 – Below Standard
a. Claims
Introduction
My introduction about a topic
in geography includes a claim
clearly distinguishable from a
counterclaim.
My introduction about a topic
in geography introduces a
claim and counterclaim.
My introduction about a topic
in geography does not include
claims and counterclaims.
a. Reason and
Evidence
Organization
b. Claim
Support
My reasons are linked to
supporting evidence and
organized in a logical manner.
My reasons and evidence are
organized and logical.
My introduction about a topic
in geography included claims
and counterclaims that are not
distinguishable from each
other.
My reasons and evidence are
not organized or logical.
My reasons and evidence are
disorganized.
No evidence
My claims are supported with
logical reasoning and relevant
evidence from accurate,
credible sources (including
geo-spatial technology) to
demonstrate my
understanding of the topic.
My words, phrases and
clauses create connections
and clarify the relationship
among claim(s),
counterclaims, reasons and
evidence.
My conclusion strengthens
the overall claim(s) and key
reasons and closes my
product effectively, by
making distinctions from
counterclaim(s).
I can communicate clearly
and thoroughly to the target
audience using third person,
facts, and relative context.
My claim is about a
geographic problem that is
addressed thoroughly using
geo-spatial technology.
My claims are supported with
logical reasoning and relevant
evidence from credible
sources to demonstrate my
understanding of the topic.
My claims are supported by
some reasoning and evidence.
I have reasons, but no
evidence to support my
claims.
No evidence
My words, phrases and
clauses have some
connections and clarify the
relationship among claim(s),
counterclaims, reasons and
evidence.
My conclusion restates the
overall claim(s) and key
reasons and closes my
product effectively.
My words, phrases and
clauses have weak
connections between claim(s),
counterclaims, reasons and
evidence.
My words, phrases and
clauses have no connections
between claim(s),
counterclaims, reasons and
evidence.
No evidence
My conclusion restates the
overall claim(s).
I included a conclusion, but it
is an ineffective conclusion.
No evidence
I can communicate to the
target audience using third
person, facts, and relative
context.
My claim is about a
geographic problem that is
addressed using geo-spatial
technology.
I keep target audience in mind
but include opinion in
addition to facts.
I used slang, first person,
and/or opinion. I did not keep
my target audience in mind.
No evidence
My claim is about a
geographic problem, but is
not addressed using geospatial technology.
My claim is not about a
geographic problem and/or
does not use geo-spatial
technology.
No evidence
Category
c. Words and
Phrases that
create
Connections
and Clarity
e. Conclusion
d. Formal
Style
GeoSpatial
Skills
MODEL UN RUBRIC, DEVELOPED FROM UNA-MN RECOMMENDED RUBRIC, GLOBAL CLASSROOMS CURRICULUM
SPPS Argument Rubrics: ELL, Model UN, Global Studies, Human Geography, Government
December 2012
0 – Far from
Meeting Standard
No evidence
CC Argument Rubrics 2012
4 Exceeds Standards
3 Meets Standards
I have an in-depth
description of a problem
and many examples of
past action taken.
My country’s position is a
precise claim that is well
developed and
distinguished from a
counterclaim
I have a moderate
description of problem and
several examples of past
action.
My country’s position is a
claim distinguished from a
counterclaim
My claim is well justified
through the use of reasons,
evidence and relevant
context from credible
sources.
Organization My claim, counterclaim,
reasons and evidence are
skillfully organized to
enhance and reinforce my
country’s position.
My claim is justified
through the use of reason,
evidence and relevant
context from credible
sources.
My claim, counterclaim,
reasons and evidence are
organized are organized to
support my country’s
position.
I have provided a logical
summary that reinforces
my country’s position.
Background
Country’s
Position
(Claim)
Justification
of Position
(Claim)
I have provided a
Summary
(Conclusion) compelling, logical and
eloquently stated summary
that reinforces my country’s
position.
I have
Mechanics
* Precise rich language
* Variety of sentences
* No spelling errors
* No grammatical and
punctuation errors
2 Approaching
Standards
I have a small description
of the problem and few
examples of past action.
My country’s position is a
vague claim that is partly
distinguished from a
counterclaim. The
position is contrary to the
country’s political beliefs
My claim is state and an
attempt is made to justify,
but the justifications given
are unclear.
My claim, counterclaim,
reasons and evidence are
partially organized to
support my country’s
position.
I have provided a
somewhat logical
conclusion that supports
my country’s position.
1 Below Standards
0 Far from Meeting
Standards
I am either missing a
No examples of action
description of the problem when action has taken
or an example of action
place and no description of
taken.
the problem.
My country’s position is
No discussion of country’s
an unclear claim that needs position in the form of a
elaboration. Counterclaim claim.
is not included.
My claim and
counterclaim’s strength’s
and limitations are listed
with no supporting details.
My claim, counterclaim,
reasons and evidence are
somewhat disorganized.
I have provided a loosely
connected conclusion for
my country’s position.
My claim and
counterclaim’s strengths
and weaknesses are not
present.
My claim, counterclaim,
reasons and evidence are
unorganized.
I do not have a summary.
I have a few errors, but
they do not impede
understanding for the
audience.
I have several errors,
I have many errors that
which may cause some
make it difficult for the
confusion for the audience. audience to understand.
I have so many errors; my
audience cannot
understand my paper.
3 Meets Standards
2 Approaching
0 Far from Meeting
10TH HUMAN GEOGRAPHY
4 Exceeds Standards
1 Below Standards
a. Claim
Introduction
Geographic
Topic
b.
Organization
My introduction includes an
effective and precise claim
that is clearly distinguished
from counterclaim.
I introduce an adequate
claim that is distinguished
from counterclaim.
My claim, counterclaim,
reasons and evidence are
skillfully organized to
enhance and reinforce my
argument.
b. Claim
Development
I fully evaluate the strengths
and limitations of both sides
of the argument in great
detail.
My claim, counterclaim,
reasons and evidence are
organized to reinforce the
relationship between
claims, counterclaims and
respective reasons and
evidence.
I evaluate the strengths and
limitations of both sides of
the argument with some
details.
d. Conclusion
e. Formal
Style
GeoSpatial
Skills
I have provided a
compelling, logical and
eloquently stated closing
statement or section that
reinforces and emphasizes
my claims, counterclaims
and key reasons/evidence.
I communicate clearly and
thoroughly with the target
audience using third person,
credible evidence and
relative context.
My claim is about a local or
regional (or facility
location) problem that uses
geo-spatial technology to
support claims and
counterclaims.
Standards
I introduce a vague claim;
the claim is partly
distinguished from
counterclaim.
I introduce an unclear
claim; the difference
between my claim and
counterclaim is unclear.
My claim, counterclaim,
reasons and evidence are
partially organized to
explain my argument.
My claim, counterclaim,
reasons and evidence are
somewhat disorganized.
I partially evaluate the
strengths and limitations of
both sides of the argument
with details about just one
side.
I list the strengths and
limitations of both sides of
the argument with no
details.
I have provided a logical
closing statement or
section that explicitly
references my claims,
counterclaims and key
reasons.
I have provided a
somewhat logical closing
statement or section that
implicitly references my
claims, counterclaims and
key reasons.
I have provided a loosely
connected closing
statement or section that
may or may not reference
my claims, counterclaims
and key reasons.
I can communicate to the
target audience using third
person, credible evidence
and relative context.
I keep the target audience
in mind, but include
opinion in addition to
facts.
I used slang, first person
and/or opinion. I did not
keep my target audience in
mind.
My claim is about a local or
regional (or facility
location) geography topic
that uses geo-spatial
technology to support claim
and/or counterclaim
My claim is about a local or
regional (or facility
location) geography topic,
but does not use geo-spatial
technology to support
claims or counterclaims.
My claim is about a local or
regional (or facility
location) geography topic,
but does not use geo-spatial
technology to support
claims or counterclaims
Standards
I have not:
 Introduced my claim
 Acknowledged others’
claims
My claim, counterclaim,
reasons and evidence are
unorganized.
I have not acknowledged
the different sides of the
argument.
I did not take my audience
into consideration in my
writing.
I do not have a closing
statement or section and/or
my closing statement or
section does not tie back to
my claim(s).
No evidence
No evidence
12th Government
SPPS Argument Rubrics: ELL, Model UN, Global Studies, Human Geography, Government
December 2012
CC Argument Rubrics 2012
Introduction
4 Exceeds Standards
3 Meets Standards
2 Approaching Standards
1 Below Standards
My introduction examines
a precise public policy
issue and why it is a
problem. The introduction
establishes why the public
policy is significant.
I introduce a public policy
issue and its problem. The
introduction establishes
why the claim is
significant.
I introduce a vague public
policy issue. Its problems
are listed. The significance
of the issue is not
established.
I introduce an unclear
public policy issue. The
significance of the issue
and its problems are not
established.
I explain current courses of
action to address the public
policy issue problem and
consequences of the action
using relevant data
* I describe a current course
of action and its
consequence
* data may be
outdated/irrelevant
I state a current course of
action, but no
consequences offer no
relevant data or accurate
I explain the consequences
of an alternate course of
action with relevant data.
* I describe the
consequences of an
alternative course of action
* data may be
outdated/irrelevant.
I have provided a
somewhat logical course of
action that could address
the problem and a brief
plan to implement the
action.
I keep the target audience
in mind, but include
opinion in addition to facts.
My relative context is too
brief.
I state an alternate course
My data:
of action consequence for a * may be irrelevant
current course of action
* may not be current
Current Course I skillfully examine current
courses of action taken to
of Action
address the public policy
issue and its problem(s),
and the consequences with
the most relevant data.
I fully evaluate the
Alternate
consequences of alternate
Course of
course(s) of action with the
Action
most relevant data.
Selected Course
of Action and
Implementation
Plan
I have provided a
compelling, logical and
eloquently stated course of
action with a plan of action
to resolve the problem.
I have provided a logical
course of action with a
plan to implement the
action that solves the
problem.
Formal Style
I communicate clearly and
thoroughly with the target
audience using third
person, and credible
evidence. I anticipate and
acknowledge my
audience’s knowledge
level using relative
context.
I can communicate to the
target audience using third
person, credible evidence
using relative context. I
anticipate and
acknowledge my
audience’s knowledge
level using relative
context.
0 Far from Meeting
Standards
I have not:
 Introduced my public
policy issue
 Acknowledged its
problems
 Established
significance of the
issue
The current course of
action I state is
inaccurate or missing
altogether.
I have provided a loosely
connected course of action
and plan to implement the
action.
I do not have a course
of action and/or plan to
implement the action.
I used slang, first person
and/or opinion. I did not
keep my target audience in
mind with relative context.
I did not maintain a
formal style or
provide relevant
context to the
audience. I used
opinion often.