Seventh Grade Language Arts
Argumentative Essay (Five Paragraph Organizational Structure)
Scoring Guide/ Rubric
Introduction (Paragraph 1):
Hook: Action, Reaction, Dialogue, etc.
Brief Background Information: A. Explain the Hook. B. Mention Both Sides and Audience
Claim: (Your Opinion on the Issue)
Two Supporting Reasons
(Claim plus two Reasons= 1 Sentence)
Body Paragraph 1 (Paragraph 2):
Topic Sentence: Restate Reason One
Supporting Statement One: Textual Evidence from the source, facts, statistics, examples,
quotes, expert opinions, observations, etc.
The Supporting Statement should be introduced with: TLQC: Transition, Lead in, Quote,
Citation or TLPC: Transition, Lead in, Paraphrase, Citation
Proper Citation:
(Source #, Paragraph #).
Ex. (Source 1, Paragraph 5).
 Example TLQC: For instance [transition], in the magazine advertisement for Gatorade
sports drink [lead in], the ad uses the technique of testimonial by showing a picture of
Major League Baseball player Derek Jeter holding up his fist to fans and by including a
text under the picture stating “Gatorade has always been a part of Derek Jeter’s team”
[quote] (Source 1, Paragraph 5). [citation]
 Example TLPC: According to [transition] Andrew Rooney from the editorial
“America the Not- So- Beautiful,” [lead in] the citizens of New York City throw away
nine times their weight in garbage each year [paraphrase] (Source 1, Paragraph 7).
[citation]
Commentary One: Explain the evidence and how it relates to the topic sentence; elaboration
reflects voice and style. (text-to-self)
 This quote means…
 Basically, the author is trying to prove…
 Although this point is based in research,
Commentary Two: Give another explanation: maybe a text-to-world about the reason.
 This affects other people…
 This affects the future because…
Concluding Statement: Universal idea, reflects voice and style; answers the question: “so
what?” Re-state what you mentioned in the topic sentence.
 As shown above,
 To summarize,
 Given these points,
Seventh Grade Language Arts
Body Paragraph 2 (Paragraph 3):
Topic Sentence: Restate Reason Two
Supporting Statement One: Textual Evidence from the source, facts, statistics, examples,
quotes, expert opinions, observations, etc.
The Supporting Statement should be introduced with: TLQC: Transition, Lead in, Quote,
Citation or TLPC: Transition, Lead in, Paraphrase, Citation
Proper Citation:
(Source #, Paragraph #).
Ex. (Source 1, Paragraph 5).
 Example TLQC: For instance [transition], in the magazine advertisement for Gatorade
sports drink [lead in], the ad uses the technique of testimonial by showing a picture of
Major League Baseball player Derek Jeter holding up his fist to fans and by including a
text under the picture stating “Gatorade has always been a part of Derek Jeter’s team”
[quote] (Source 1, Paragraph 5). [citation]
 Example TLPC: According to [transition] Andrew Rooney from the editorial
“America the Not- So- Beautiful,” [lead in] the citizens of New York City throw away
nine times their weight in garbage each year [paraphrase] (Source 1, Paragraph 7).
[citation]
Commentary One: Explain the evidence and how it relates to the topic sentence; elaboration
reflects voice and style. (text-to-self)
 This quote means…
 Basically, the author is trying to prove…
 Although this point is based in research,
Commentary Two: Give another explanation: maybe a text-to-world about the reason.
 This affects other people…
 This affects the future because…
Concluding Statement: Universal idea, reflects voice and style; answers the question: “so
what?” Re-state what you mentioned in the topic sentence.
 As shown above,
 To summarize,
 Given these points,
Seventh Grade Language Arts
Counter-Claim (Paragraph 4):
Two Counter-arguments that go against each of your two reasons.
***Counter-argument: The other view point (s) contrary to your claim which is your opinion.
What might someone else believe? The other side; argument.
 On the contrary, there are others who think…
 In opposition to this view, other people believe…
 Unlike the opinion stated, there are those who feel that…
A Rebuttal that fights against those counter-arguments (2)
 Although other people think differently they are incorrect because…
 Nevertheless, they are incorrect because…
Basically the counter-claim paragraph should be:
Reason One: What is the opposite of reason one, and Why is that opposite belief wrong?
Reason Two: What is the opposite of reason two, and Why is that opposite belief wrong?
Conclusion (Paragraph 5):
Restate your claim in different words
List 2 - solutions or recommendations in order to reach consensus (agreement with opposing
views)
Extra:
Transitions: (5 or more: varied)
Great Examples:
However, Nevertheless, Therefore, On the Contrary, Additionally, Finally, For instance, etc.
Conventions:
Capitalization
Grammar
Punctuation
Spelling
Seventh Grade Language Arts
Argumentative Essay Legend (Key)
Introduction (Paragraph 1):
Hook:
Brief Background Information:
Claim:
Two Supporting Reasons:
Label Everything
Green
Yellow
Circle it with your pen (blue or black ink)
Blue
Body Paragraphs (2 and 3):
Topic Sentence:
Blue
Supporting Statement One:
Orange
Commentary One:
Yellow
Commentary Two:
Supporting Statement Two:
Orange
Commentary One:
Yellow
Commentary Two:
Concluding Sentence:
Blue
Label Everything Including TLQC and TLPC
Counter-Claim (Paragraph 4):
Two Counter-Claims (What):
Two Rebuttals (Why):
Label the What and the Why
Underline it with your pen (blue or black ink)
Put Brackets [ ]
Conclusion (Paragraph 5):
Restate your thesis in different words
List 2 solutions or recommendations in order
to reach consensus (agreement with opposing
views)
Label Everything
Blue
Pink