Argumentative Essay Rubric – Due Friday, Nov. 17 by MIDNIGHT
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Category/Standards
Focus
W.9-10.1a, d
Organization
W.9-10.1a, c, e
In-text Citations and
Work Cited Page
W.9-10.1b
Conventions/ Format
L.9-10.1ab
L.9-10.2abc
4 - Advanced
Essay focuses on one side of
his/her argument. Essay
includes one counterclaim and
successfully refutes it. Claims,
evidence and explanations are
well-chosen and relevant.
Essay has a clear thesis
statement with 3 or more
reasons for their argument in the
introduction. These reasons are
successfully explored in
subsequent paragraphs
throughout the essay. Essay has
a strong conclusion. The reader
can follow along clearly from
beginning to end.
Writer thoughtfully explores 3
or more pieces of relevant
evidence in their essay and gives
proper credit in-text and in a
works cited page in MLA format.
Reader rarely spots errors in
mechanics, usage and sentence
structure. The writer seems in
control of conventions of
Standard English and
consistently follows MLA rules
and format.
3 - Proficient
Essay focuses on one side of
his/her argument. Essay
includes one counterclaim.
Claims, evidence and
explanations are relevant.
2 - Basic
Essay stays mostly focused on one
side of his/her argument.
Counterclaim may be missing or
unrelated. Claims, evidence and
explanations are mostly relevant.
1 – Below Basic
Essay does not focus on one side of
the argument. Counterclaim is
missing. Claims, evidence and
explanations are irrelevant to the
argument chosen.
Essay has a clear thesis
statement with 3 reasons for
their argument in their
introduction. These reasons
are explored in subsequent
paragraphs throughout the
essay. Essay has a conclusion
to wrap up previous claims.
The reader can follow along
mostly clearly from
beginning to end.
Writer explores 3 pieces of
relevant evidence in their
essay and gives proper credit
in-text and in a works cited
page in MLA format. The intext citations/ works cited
page may contain 1-2 errors.
Reader infrequently notices
errors in mechanics, usage,
and sentence structure. The
writer may be uncertain
about some conventions of
Standard English, but, for the
most part, conforms to MLA
rules and format.
Essay has a thesis statement with
less than 3 reasons for their
argument in their introduction.
Most of these reasons are explored
in subsequent paragraphs
throughout the essay. Essay has a
conclusion, but may not wrap up
previous claims successfully. The
reader may get lost in a few places
following the argument from
beginning to end.
Writer explores 2 pieces of
relevant evidence in their essay
and may forget to give proper
credit in-text and in a works cited
page in MLA format. The in-text
citations and works cited page may
contain 3-5 errors.
Reader occasionally notices errors
in mechanics, usage, and sentence
structure. The writer quite clearly
lacks complete control of
conventions, but errors do not
significantly interfere with
understanding. Writer attempts to
conform to MLA rules and format.
Essay has an incomplete or
missing thesis statement for their
argument in their introduction.
The reasons are not explored in
the essay. Essay is missing a
conclusion. The reader has much
trouble following the argument
from beginning to end.
Writer includes 1 piece of evidence
or no pieces of evidence in their
essay and does not give proper
credit in-text and in a works cited
page in MLA format.
Reader is bothered by serious and
persistent errors in nearly every
sentence. The writer seems to
understand very little about the
conventions of Standard English.
May be little or not attempt to
follow MLA rules and format.