Persuasive Essay Rubric
Name:______________________________
Class:______________________________
Category
Points
Characteristics of top scores
Comments

Hook/opener
engages
curiosity
while
remaining
academic
&
Introductory
sophisticated
paragraph
/10
Thesis
/10
Topic
Sentences
/10
Body pp #1
/15
Body pp #2
/15
Body pp #3
/15
Hook well-suited/powerful for essay
Intro: 1st person, no slang,4-7 sentences
Contains necessary background info
Shares thought-provoking/interesting details about subject
Subject is clearly identified
Previews 2-3 main arguments, points, or categories of the body
paragraphs
Thesis is included in intro paragraph
Clear, obvious thesis sentence
Contains 2-3 distinct proofs or points
Makes a claim that can be disputed OR clearly IDs points to be
explained
Contains topic, claim and points
Well-developed, comprehensive
Concise, contains one main idea
Proper scope: not too broad/ narrow
Clearly outlines what essay will contain
Clearly details argument /topic for paragraph
Directly, specifically related to thesis
Provides specific information/examples
Connects body paragraph with thesis
Contains topic sentence
Explanation of evidence clear & correct; doesn’t duplicate evidence
Evidence: relevant evidence clearly supports the claim/point
Appropriate # of quotes
Direct connection to topic sentence
Analysis: why/how evidence supports point #1 strong & clear
Clincher: contains clincher that related back to thesis
Transition: provides transition into next topic
Body paragraphs are 5-9 sentences
Appropriate number of dress-ups used
Variety of sentence openers
Appropriate number of decorations used
Variety of sentence styles
Some rhetorical device(s) used
Contains topic sentence
Explanation of evidence clear & correct; doesn’t duplicate evidence
Evidence: relevant evidence clearly supports the claim/point
Appropriate # of quotes
Direct connection to topic sentence
Analysis: why/how evidence supports point #1 strong & clear
Clincher: contains clincher that related back to thesis
Transition: provides transition into next topic
Body paragraphs are 5-9 sentences
Appropriate number of dress-ups used
Variety of sentence openers
Appropriate number of decorations used
Variety of sentence styles
Some rhetorical device(s) used
Contains topic sentence
Explanation of evidence clear & correct; doesn’t duplicate evidence
Evidence: relevant evidence clearly supports the claim/point
Appropriate # of quotes
Direct connection to topic sentence
Analysis: why/how evidence supports point #1 strong & clear
Conclusion
paragraph
/10
Grammar,
Mechanics,
Spelling
/10
Content &
Formatting
(MLA 8
style)
/5
Clincher: contains clincher that related back to thesis
Transition: provides transition into next topic
Body paragraphs are 5-9 sentences
Appropriate number of dress-ups used
Variety of sentence openers
Appropriate number of decorations used
Variety of sentence styles
Some rhetorical device(s) used
Doesn’t begin with “In conclusion, etc.”
Provide a restated (stronger) thesis
Main points synthesized NOT restated Provides analysis of body arguments
Explains why this matters (may/may not include call to action,
consequences)
Draw a conclusion of the topic
End with a sense of closure
Contains 3-5 sentences
Uses strong and varied vocabulary
Uses proper spelling and grammar
Verb tense consistency
Verbs strong and concise (not vague)
Sentence complete: no fragments, run-ons, comma slices
Use of first person avoided
No writing about writing (“this paper will explain”, etc.)
Quotations are properly formatted
If applicable, bibliography is properly cited.
Essay answers the question/prompt (if one was given)
Author backs up the thesis with appropriate evidence
Author uses quotations appropriately
Evidence cited properly in MLA 8
Header double spaced, 12-point font, name, teacher, class, date
Title centered, plain text, double spaced from heading & 1st pp.
Essay double spaced
Paragraphs indented 1/2 “
Paragraphs double spacing between
Page #s appropriately shown
Works cited page properly formatted
Any tables/illustrations/figures formatted properly
Things you did well
Total
/100
Areas for improvement