Smarter Balanced Argumentative Writing Rubric Checklist grades 6-12 (Revised)
S
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Statement of Purpose/Focus
(weighted x2)
The response is fully
sustained and consistently
and purposefully focused:
1--claim is clearly stated,
focused and strongly
maintained
2--alternate or opposing
claims achieve substantial
depth*
3--claim is introduced and
communicated clearly within
the context
Areas of the essay being
checked:
 Introduction
 Body
Do you have
in the introduction
□ a clear claim that explains
what you are arguing and
why? (1)
□ your claim in an appropriate
spot (not in the beginning of
the introduction)? (3)
C
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K
L
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S
T
in the body
□ clear and strong references
back to your claim
throughout the text
(especially in topic and
concluding sentences of
paragraphs)? (3)
□ information that is clearly
aligned with the claim? (3)
□ opposing claim(s), including
evidence? (2)*
□ a clear and strong refutation
to the opposing claim(s)?
(2)*
* only if a counterclaim is
required
CONTENT RUBRIC
Elaboration of Evidence
(weighted x2)
The response provides thorough and
convincing support/evidence for the
writer’s claim that includes the
(1) effective use of sources, facts,
and details. The response achieves
(2) substantial depth that is
(3) specific and (4) relevant:
5--use of evidence from sources is
smoothly integrated,
comprehensive, and concrete
6--all evidence is properly cited
7--effective use of a variety of
elaborative techniques
Area of the essay being checked:
 Body
Do you include
□ the required number of sources or
quotes? (1, 2)
□ quotes and/or paraphrasing that
strongly proves your claim? (1, 3, 4)
□ enough information to fully make
your argument, leaving no holes or
room for questions? (2)
□ quotes that are properly integrated?
(5)
□ in-text citations for all of the
evidence you quoted and
paraphrased? (6)
□ properly formatted in-text citations?
(6)
□ proper use of PPS format? (7)
□ fully developed paragraphs? (7)
□ support that analyzes the proof’s
relation to the point and topic
sentence rather than providing
more information from the text? (7)
LANGUAGE/CONVENTIONS RUBRIC
Organization
Language & Vocab
Conventions
The response has a clear and effective
organizational structure creating unity and
completeness:
1--effective, consistent use of a variety of
transitional strategies
2--logical progression of ideas from beginning
to end
3--effective introduction and conclusion for
audience and purpose
4--strong connections among ideas, with
some syntactic variety
The response clearly and
effectively expresses ideas,
using precise language:
--use of (1) academic and
(2) domain-specific
vocabulary is clearly
appropriate for the
audience and purpose
3--the entire piece of
writing includes an
appropriate (i.e. formal)
tone and use of language
The response
demonstrates a strong
command of conventions:
--few, if any, errors are
present in (1) usage and
(2) sentence formation
--effective and consistent
use of (3) punctuation,
(4) capitalization, and
(5) spelling
Areas of the essay being checked:
 Introduction
 Body
 Conclusion
Area of the essay being
checked:
 Introduction
 Body
 Conclusion
Area of the essay being
checked:
 Introduction
 Body
 Conclusion
Do you include
□ vocabulary from the unit of
study—i.e. terms from the
texts that have been
studied or terms assigned
in class? (1)
□ English-specific vocabulary
terms—i.e. terms like
claim, irony, etc.? (2)
□ NO USE of personal
pronouns (I, you, we, our,
my, etc.) unless
appropriate for the
purpose of the writing
Did you look for and correct
□ subject/verb agreement?
(1)
□ pronoun/antecedent
agreement? (1)
□ commonly misspelled
and/or confused words?
(1)
□ other grammar errors?
(1)
□ sentence fragments? (2)
□ sentence run-ons? (2)
□ awkwardly worded
phrases and/or
sentences? (2)
□ italics or quotation mark
use with titles? (3)
□ comma use (i.e. comma
splices, comma use with
subjunctive and
coordinating
conjunctions)? (3)
□ semicolon use? (3)
□ colon use? (4)
□ capitalization (i.e. at the
beginning of sentences,
proper nouns, titles,
etc.)? (4)
□ spelling errors? (5)
Do you have
in the introduction
□ three or more well-developed sentences?
(3)
□ an effective attention grabber/hook? (3)
□ background information that introduces
the topic without restating the prompt? (3)
□ an effective claim that does not restate the
prompt? (3)
throughout the body
□ transitional phrases, sentences, and words
that logically connect your ideas? (1, 4)
□ an organization that makes sense for the
topic, where one idea clearly leads into the
next? (2)
in the conclusion
□ three or more well developed sentences?
(3)
□ a further extension of your hook? (3)
□ a final reflection upon or point about your
most important argument? (3)
□ a deeply reflective final statement (i.e. that
explains the topic’s implications or
significance) or calls the reader to action?
(3)
throughout the essay
□ a variety of sentence types? (4)
□ a variety of ways you begin your
sentences? (4)
Total score: _____ / 20 = _____%
Total score: _____/8 = _____%