Argumentative Essay Rubric
Name: _______________________________________________
4
Score: ______________________
3
2
Essay clearly has an effective and
unique introduction that includes a
well-developed attention grabbing
opener, bridge, and powerful thesis
statement.
The thesis statement is well
developed and follows the correct
formula.
Essay has an introduction format of
an attention grabbing opener, bridge,
and thesis statement.
Essay does not have all the
elements of a literary essay
introduction format of attention
grabbing opener, bridge, and
thesis statement.
The thesis statement is unclear
and does not follow a formula.
Essay does not have the
correct literary essay
introduction format.
Body Paragraphs (3)
Each body paragraph is well
developed and follows the format of:
transition, evidence, explain
evidence, and restate.
Each body paragraph follows the
format of: transition, evidence,
explain evidence, and restate.
The body paragraphs do not
follow the format: transition,
evidence, explain evidence,
and restate.
There are less than three
body paragraphs.
Counterargument
Writer acknowledges the other side
with a well-developed
counterargument and rebuts with
strong facts.
Writer acknowledges the other side
with a counterargument and rebuts
with facts.
Writer acknowledges the other
side with a counterargument
without a rebuttal.
Writer does not
acknowledge the other side.
Evidence
Writer uses at least four valid
sources and a variety of evidence
linked to the body paragraph
purpose: statistics, expert opinions,
facts, and examples
Writer provides evidence in a variety
of ways including: direct quotation,
paraphrasing, and video/image
explanations
Writer uses at least three valid
sources and a variety of evidence
linked to the body paragraph
purpose: statistics, expert opinions,
facts, and examples
Writer provides evidence in a variety
of ways including: direct quotation,
paraphrasing, or video/image
explanations
Writer uses two somewhat valid
sources and little evidence.
Writer has minimal
evidence.
Writer provides evidence in
repetitive ways
Writer only provides
evidence in one way
Conclusion
The conclusion is well developed
with an action plan and restates
thesis statement.
The conclusion includes an action
plan and restates thesis statement.
The conclusion does not have
an action plan
There is an unclear
conclusion.
Cohesion
The essay maintains a clear, specific,
and prompt appropriate focus that
develops a clear, consistent main
idea throughout the entire essay with
a purpose.
The essay maintains a clear, mostly
specific, prompt-appropriate focus
that develops a clear main idea
throughout the essay with a purpose.
The essay’s focus is somewhat
unclear or off-topic, and/or
main idea may meander a bit or
contain minor digressions.
The essay’s focus is
unclear and/or off-topic and
may contain major
digressions.
Non-Fiction Text
Structures
Writer uses an abundant amount of
non-fiction text structures to enhance
the essay including: cause and
effect statements, problem solution
statements, compare and contrast
statements
Writing uses an abundant amount of
key words, prompts, phrases, and
academic vocabulary to create
cohesion and professionalism.
Writer uses some non-fiction text
structures to enhance the essay
including: cause and effect
statements, problem solution
statements, compare and contrast
statements
Writing uses several key words,
prompts, phrases, and academic
vocabulary to somewhat create
cohesion and professionalism.
Writer uses few non-fiction text
structures to enhance the
essay
Writer does not use nonfiction text structures to
enhance the essay
Writing uses few key words,
prompts, phrases, and
vocabulary to create cohesion
and professionalism.
Writing does not use key
words, prompts, phrases,
and vocabulary to create
cohesion and
professionalism.
MLA Format
Writer uses formal style of the proper
use of MLA format including in text
citation and work cited page.
Writers uses formal style of the
proper use of MLA format including
in text citation and work cited page,
but used incorrectly
Writer uses a formal style of the
proper use of MLA format
including in text citation and
work cited page.
Writer does not use the
MLA format.
Conventions
The essay exhibits EXCELLENT
CONTROL of grammatical
conventions appropriate to the writing
task: spelling, standard usage
including verb agreement, tense and
case; mechanics, and free of ELA
Unforgivables.
Writer turned in all phases of writing
process on time. Writer showed
effective revisions and editing
throughout the process as well as
used all class time effectively.
The essay exhibits DECENT
CONTROL of grammatical
conventions appropriate to the
writing task: spelling, standard usage
including verb agreement, tense and
case; mechanics, and free of ELA
Unforgivables.
Writer may have missed one
deadline. Revision and editing
attempts are mostly effective. Writer
somewhat used class time
effectively.
The essay exhibits SOME
CONTROL of grammatical
conventions appropriate to the
writing task and contains ELA
Unforgivables.
The essay exhibits LITTLE
CONTROL of grammatical
conventions appropriate to
the writing task and
contains ELA
Unforgivables.
Writer missed several
deadlines. Revision and
editing attempts are somewhat
effective. Writer did not use
class time effectively.
Writer missed several
deadlines. Writer shows no
attempts at revision or
editing. Writer did not use
class time effectively.
Introduction
Thesis Statement
Evidence Format
Academic Vocabulary
Professionalism
The thesis statement is somewhat
developed and follows the correct
formula.
1
There was no thesis
statement stated in the
essay.