Narrative Argument Grading RUbriC
Audience & Style
(30%)
A—Exceptional
The reader is consistently engaged.
B—Above Average/Good
The reader is usually engaged.
C—Average
The writer establishes basic credibility.
The argument and approach are
thoroughly appropriate for the
(Mason student) audience.
The argument and approach are
appropriate for the (Mason student)
audience, although more work can
be done to show the relevance.
Some aspects of the essay effectively
serve the (Mason student) audience; the
audience and/or argument often seems
generalized.
D—Minimally Passing
The reader struggled to engage
with the text or see the
relevance of the argument for
the audience.
The essay does not effectively
Most aspects of the essay effectively The tone is generally consistent and does serve or consider the target
not detract from the argument, purpose, or (college) audience.
The tone is consistent, audience and serve the target audience.
The tone is inconsistent or
genre aware, and helps the argument. The tone is almost always consistent audience and genre awareness.
inappropriate for the topic,
and is appropriate for the topic,
audience, genre and/or purpose.
audience, genre, and purpose.
The essay is hard to read.
The essay carefully and consistently
serves the target audience.
Thesis & Support There is a thought-provoking, easily The reader can determine the
(30%)
identifiable argument.
author’s argument and finds it
original and/or insightful enough.
The argument is supported with
The reader finds a single controlling idea
that, although it needs further
development or may be somewhat hard to
find, is somewhat original or insightful.
The reader does not find a clear,
single and/or arguable idea with
adequate support.
relevant, carefully selected, wellconsidered evidence (including
personal evidence) and narrative
(story).
The argument is supported with
sufficient, well-considered evidence The argument has some convincing
(may be solely personal evidence) evidence (may be solely personal
and narrative (story).
evidence) and some narrative (story).
A significant amount of
evidence or info does not
support a central argument
and/or is not well considered.
All aspects of the paper clearly and
successfully support the argument.
With minor exceptions, information A few points or scenes are not developed No narrative/story elements to
clearly supports the argument.
and/or do not support the argument.
support the argument.
Reasoning
(20%)
The argument is complex & nuanced. The argument is somewhat nuanced. The argument or the author’s reasoning is The argument is simplistic.
somewhat obvious or simplistic.
The author subtly and gracefully
The author acknowledges and
The author does not respond to
acknowledges and deals with possible contends with some possible reader Little attempt is made to deal with
any possible reader concerns or
reader objections or concerns
concerns or objections (using and
possible reader concerns or objections
objections (little or no use or
(successfully using and reflecting on reflecting on his or her “research”). (with little or no use of or reflection on the reflection on informal research).
his or her “research”).
“research”).
Organization &
Genre
(20%)
The organization and structure are
fluid and genre aware.
The reader finds the author in full
control of the discussion.
The writing is genre aware and
organized to develop the argument.
Ideas are connected sensibly; the
organization helps the writer’s
purpose and is genre aware.
All paragraphs are fully developed;
transitions occur naturally.
The reader discerns a basic structure, but
better organization and/or stronger
transitions are needed; the structure is not
consistently genre aware.
The reader finds it difficult to
discern a progression of ideas.
The organization and structure
are not genre aware.
Paragraphs require more development or The piece does not seem
Transitions are used, but a few could focus, better internal organization, further unified, and paragraphs are
division, or better placement.
undeveloped, disorganized,
be stronger or more genre aware.
undivided, and/or unfocused.
Most paragraphs are well-developed.
F—Not Passing
Any one of the
following is grounds
for a failing grade:


The paper does
not meet the
minimum
assignment
requirements.
Plagiarism