Student: _________________________________________
Rubric for Research Paper on Permitting Schools to Ban Books
The school board is considering whether or not to allow individual schools to ban
selected books. Based on your research and note taking, compose a three paragraph
persuasive essayto be presented to the school board either for or against allowing
schools to ban books.
Ideas and Development 1
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5
 The writer defines the first amendment and the freedoms it guarantees, as well
as a definition of censorship with examples.
 The writer effectively uses relevant, accurate evidence to support the argument.
 The writer provides enough evidence for the reader to clearly understand
argument.
Organization
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 There is a clear thesis statement in the introduction
 The writer develops the paper logically with an introduction, body and a
conclusion.
 Some attempt was make to create an introduction that engages or hooks the
reader.
 The argument is constructed so that the reader is led logically from one point of
support to the next.
Voice
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 The writer’s voice is confident and indicates a clear understanding of the issues
in the argument.
 The author’s argument is well reasoned and based on information collected
during the research phase.
Word Choice
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 The language clearly communicates the issues using specific and accurate
vocabulary.
 There is an attempt to use a wider variety of descriptive words.
Sentence Fluency
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 Sentences are complete; no run-ons or sentence fragments.
 Each sentence has a subject and a verb, and the subject and verb agree.
Conventions
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 The writer uses standard grammar, punctuation, and spelling.
 The writer correctly uses parenthetic documentation.
 The paper includes an accurate and complete “Works Cited” page.
 If typed, research paper is double-spaced in 12 point Ariel or New Times Roman
font.
 If handwritten, the student skipped a line after each line with words.