SOL Persuasive Writing (with Counter-Arguments)
Reminder: Counter-arguments are arguments that go against your argument or thesis,
supporting the opposite point of view. Counter-arguments are supported by counter-examples.
In developing a strong persuasive argument, you should always show that you understand what
the other side of the argument is and then explain why your argument is better. For example, if
you are arguing that school lunches should be of a higher quality, a counter-argument might
be that they would then cost more, and a counter-example might be the cost of a regular chicken
sandwich at school versus a Chick-Fil-A sandwich. You might (refute) address this argument
by explaining that people at our school would be willing to pay more for better food if they had
the option.
Directions:
Select one of the topics below, sketch out your initial response in the prewriting section on the
back of this sheet, and then write your essay on a piece of lined paper. This essay should be at
least 300 words and you should skip lines if you hand write it. Make sure that you explicitly
include a counter-argument, counter-example, and a refutation of the counter-argument.
When you are done, staple the outline, essay and attached rubric together before turning it in.
Prewriting/Outline
Thesis Statement (explain your position in 1-2 sentences)
Supporting idea/premise 1:
Example(s)
Explanation of examples (how do they prove
your point?)
Supporting idea/premise 2:
Example(s)
Explanation of examples (how do they prove
your point?)
Supporting idea/premise 3:
Example(s)
Explanation of examples (how do they prove
your point?)
Counter-Argument summary
Counter-example
Explanation of counter-example: how does this
illustrate the counter-argument?
Refutation of counter-argument
Conclusion (summarize thesis in fresh language)
Rubric
Category
Does the essay/outline
directly respond to all
aspects of the prompt?
Is the central idea fully
supported with adequate
and relevant details?
Does the writer address an
obvious counter-argument
with logical evidence?
Does the essay refute the
counter-argument in a
thorough and logical way?
Does the essay demonstrate
mastery of sentence
structure?
Does the essay demonstrate
mastery of spelling,
capitalization, punctuation
or proofreading?
Does the essay demonstrate
mastery of grammar,
mechanics, and usage
conventions?
Outline complete
Thesis statement
Mastery
10
Essay/outline clearly
addresses all aspects of the
prompt
Central idea is supported
with adequate and relevant
details (at least 300 words)
An obvious counterargument is explained
clearly and supported with
logical evidence
The counter-argument is
clearly, logically, and
thoroughly addressed by
the thesis and supporting
evidence
Essay effectively uses a
variety of sentence
structures
Essay does not include any
obvious errors in spelling,
capitalization, punctuation
or missing/extra words.
No grammatical,
mechanical or usage errors
are apparent.
Competent
8
Essay/outline generally
addresses most aspects of the
prompt
Central idea is supported with
some relevant details
Emerging competence
6
Essay/outline marginally
addresses some aspects of
the prompt
Central idea is supported
with few relevant details
Some counterargument is
described and is either not clear
or not well supported
Vague counterargument is
provided but does not reflect
a clear understanding of the
issues
Some attempts are made at
refuting the counterargument, though not
convincing
Essay uses a variety of sentence
structures with no incomplete
or run-on sentences.
There is an average of 1
spelling, capitalization,
punctuation or missing/extra
words error per page
There is an average of 1
grammatical, mechanical or
usage error per page
Outline is completed
thoroughly and
thoughtfully
Thesis statement is clear,
comprehensive and concise
and draws the reader into
the arguments in an
engaging manner
Little to no evidence of mastery
0
Essay/outline does not address
the prompt
Subtotal
/10
Central idea is not supported
with adequate and relevant
details
No meaningful counterargument
is presented
/10
No clear attempt is made at
refuting the counter-argument
/10
There is an average of 1-2
incomplete or run-on
sentence per page
There are an average of 2-3
spelling, capitalization,
punctuation or missing/extra
words errors per page
There are an average of 2-3
grammatical, mechanical or
usage error per page
There are 3 or more incomplete
or run-on sentences per page
/10
There are an average of 4 or
more spelling, capitalization,
punctuation or missing/extra
words errors per page
There are an average of 4 or
more grammatical, mechanical
or usage error per page
/10
Outline is mostly complete
Outline is halfway complete
Little to no elements of the
outline are complete
/10
Thesis statement is clear,
comprehensive and concise
Thesis statement is two of
the following: clear,
comprehensive and concise
No thesis statement is evident.
/10
The counter-argument is
generally addressed by the
thesis and supporting evidence
Total
/10
/10
/90