Argument Essay
You will be presenting an argument essay on November 14. You will get with a
partner and choose an argument from the list below. One of you will argue the
SHOULD (for); the other will argue the SHOULD NOT (against).
Once again, argumentation is not just having an argument. Unlike many
arguments, which are emotional and heated, argumentation is using crystal clear
thinking, logic and rationale. You are using evidence to convince a person to adopt
a particular opinion. Because people respond rationally and emotionally to
situations, argumentation and persuasion are usually combined.
However, argumentation differs from persuasion, which is used to motivate a
person to adopt a particular opinion and take action and uses emotional language
or dramatic appeals to one’s beliefs or values. It is important not to rely too much
on emotional appeals, because you may lose credibility with your audience.
Possible topics are:





Juveniles should/should not be tried as adults.
Government should/should not provide health care.
Government financial aid for students should/should be based solely on
merit.
Any citizen who does not have a criminal record should/should not be
permitted to carry a concealed weapon.
Animals should/should not be used for scientific and medical research.

The death penalty should/should not be mandatory for people that kill
other people.
 Sex education should/should not be increased in schools in an attempt to
curb problems such as teenage pregnancy.
 There should/should not still be colleges and schools just for men/boys and
some just for women/girls.
 The official language of the United States should/should not be English.
 The legal age for driving should/should not be higher.
 Technology is/ is not the downfall of our society.
 People should/should not depend on the media for reliable information.
 The government should/should not have a say in our diets.
 Fashion is/is not important.
You will begin conducting research for your argument today. You need to make
sure that your resources are credible and that they are not solely based on
opinion.
Ms. Whitaker
Argument Essay Rubric
Teacher Name: Ms. Whitaker
Student Name:
________________________________________
4
3
2
1
Preparedness
Student is completely
prepared and has
obviously rehearsed.
Student has rubric and
speech and works cited
in MLA format.
Student seems pretty
prepared but might
have needed a couple
more rehearsals. The
student has a speech
but no rubric.
The student is
somewhat prepared,
but it is clear that
rehearsal was lacking.
The student has a
rubric, but no speech.
Student does not seem
at all prepared to
present. the student
has neither the speech
nor the original rubric.
Speaks Clearly
Speaks clearly and
distinctly and loudly all
(100-95%) the time,
and mispronounces no
words.
Speaks clearly and
distinctly all (100-95%)
the time, but
mispronounces one
word.
Speaks clearly and
distinctly most ( 9485%) of the time.
Mispronounces no
more than one word.
Often mumbles or can
not be understood OR
mispronounces more
than one word.
Posture and Eye
Contact
Stands up straight,
looks relaxed and
confident. Establishes
eye contact with
everyone in the room
during the presentation.
Stands up straight and Sometimes stands up
Slouches and/or does
establishes eye contact straight and establishes not look at people
with everyone in the
eye contact.
during the presentation.
room during the
presentation.
Vocabulary
Uses vocabulary
appropriate for the
audience. Extends
audience vocabulary by
defining words that
might be new to most of
the audience.
Uses vocabulary
appropriate for the
audience. Includes 1-2
words that might be
new to most of the
audience, but does not
define them.
Uses vocabulary
appropriate for the
audience. Does not
include any vocabulary
that might be new to the
audience.
Uses several (5 or
more) words or phrases
that are not understood
by the audience.
Uses Complete
Sentences
Always (99-100% of
time) speaks in
complete sentences.
Does not speak in
outline form.
Mostly (80-98%)
speaks in complete
sentences.
Sometimes (70-80%)
speaks in complete
sentences.
Rarely speaks in
complete sentences.
Time-Limit
Presentation is 6-8
minutes long.
Presentation is 5 or 9
minutes long.
Presentation is 4 or 10
minutes long.
Presentation is less
than 3 minutes OR
more than 10 minutes.
Argument
Student has presented
a strong, clear, logical
argument and uses
evidence to support
opinions. His position is
crystal clear.
Student has presented
a strong, clear, logical
argument and uses
evidence to support
opinions. His position is
somewhat clear.
Student has presented
a logical argument and
uses some evidence to
support opinions. His
position is not very
clear.
Student does not use
evidence to support his
claim and bases
argument on mere
opinions. There is no
clear position.
Sources
Student has researched
information and brings
forth strong, wellsupported arguments
and solidly refutes
those of his opponents.
Student does not base
his argument on mere
opinions or emotional
bias.
Student has researched
information and brings
well-supported
arguments and refutes
those of his opponents.
Student does not base
his argument on mere
opinions or emotional
bias.
Student has researched
information and brings
forth somewhat
supported arguments
but does not refute his
opposing argument.
Student does not base
his argument on mere
opinions or emotional
bias.
Student has not
researched information
to bring forth strong,
well-supported
arguments. There is no
refutation. Student does
base his argument on
mere opinions or
emotional bias.
Transitions
Student uses fluid
Student transitions
transitions that take
pretty well from one
audience from one idea idea to the next.
to the text.
Student seems
redundant; does not
transition well.
There are no attempts
to organize thoughts or
transition from one to
another. Ideas are
completely
disorganized.
CATEGORY