Analytical Rubric for Persuasive Writing
Feature
Taking a clear stand or
position
1

There is no stand
on the issue.
2


There is an attempt to
take a stand on the
issue.
The stand fluctuates
between positions.
3

The stand on the issue
is unclear.
4

There is a definite
stand on the issue.
5

There is a clear stand
on the issue.
6

There is a clear and persuasive
stand on the issue
.

The stand does not
acknowledge that there
is another side of the
issue.

The stand
acknowledges that
there is another side of
the issue.

The stand demonstrates
an understanding of
both sides of the issue
and attempts to refute
one.

The stand demonstrates an
understanding of both sides of
the issue and successfully refutes
one
.


Supporting position with
accurate and relevant
information



There is no
awareness of the
audience
There are no
quotations.


There are no
references to the
sources

The essay contains
no arguments that
relate to the
speaker’s position.
1
The essay includes:



There are no
relevant facts.

Organizing ideas logically
and effectively

No introduction
Body paragraphs
are unorganized
and lack a topic
sentence
Quotations are included
but are not relevant.


No conclusion


Each body paragraph
contains 1 relevant fact
from the source
materials.

The essay includes
facts from one of the
sources provided

The essay contains 1
argument that relates to
the speaker’s position.
2
The essay includes:


There is little
awareness of the
audience.
An introduction that
tells what the essay is
about
Some body paragraphs
are organized around a
topic but lack a topic
sentence
A conclusion that
restates the
introduction

The stand is introduced
in the first paragraph.
There is some
awareness of the
audience.
Quotations are included
but some are not
relevant.
Each body contains 2
relevant facts from the
source materials.
The essay includes
relevant facts from one
of the sources provided
The essay contains 1 or
2 arguments that relate
to the speaker’s
position.
3
The essay includes:



An introduction that
mentions some of the
arguments that will be
developed
Most body paragraphs
are clearly organized
around a topic stated in
a topic sentence
A conclusion that
restates the stance





The stand is introduced
in the first paragraph.
There is an awareness
of the audience.
Two of the body
paragraphs contain a
relevant quotation.




Each body paragraph
contains 3 relevant
facts from the source
materials.
The essay includes
facts from two the
sources provided.



The essay contains 2
strong arguments that
relate to the speaker’s
position.
4
The essay includes:



An introduction that
mentions each
argument that will be
developed
The body paragraphs
are clearly organized
around a topic stated in
a topic sentence
A conclusion that
restates the stance and
the arguments

Fluency



Frequent and
disruptive
digressions
The essay is
difficult to
understand and to
read.


No transition words
are used or
transition words are
used inaccurately.

The essay displays
no editing for
grammar,
punctuation, or
spelling errors.
Digressions and many
abrupt shifts between
ideas
The essay is difficult to
understand.


Digressions or abrupt
shifts between ideas
The essay is
understandable and
easy to read.


Digressions are present
but not disruptive.
The essay is
understandable and
easy to read.
An awareness of the
audience is evident
throughout.
Each body paragraph
contains one relevant
quotation.
Each body paragraph
contains 4 relevant
facts from the source
materials.










The essay includes
relevant facts from two
of the source materials.

The essay contains 3,
or more, arguments that
relate to the speaker’s
position.
5
The essay includes:


The stand is introduced
in the first paragraph.
An interesting
introduction that
mentions each
argument that will be
developed



An interesting
conclusion that restates
the stance and the
arguments


The essay displays no
editing for grammar,
punctuation, or spelling
errors.


Transition words are
used to make writing
flow.
The essay displays few
edits for grammar,
punctuation, or spelling
errors.


Transition words are
used to make writing
flow.
The essay displays little
evidence of editing and
there are some errors in
grammar, punctuation,
or spelling.


Each body paragraph contains
one or more relevant quotations.
Each body paragraph contains 5
or more relevant facts from the
source materials.
The essay includes relevant facts
from each of the source
materials.
The essay contains 3, or more,
strong arguments that relate to
the speaker’s position and do not
overlap.
An attention grabbing
introduction that mentions each
argument that will be developed
The body paragraphs are clearly
organized around an argument
including topic sentences
A conclusion that restates the
stance and the arguments in a
way that causes the reader to be
reflective
Logical sequence of the
paragraphs
No digressions
Digressions are rare.
The essay is
understandable and
easy to read.


Few transition words
are used to make
writing flow.
The speaker clearly addresses
the audience throughout.
6
The essay includes:
The body paragraphs
are organized around
an argument including
topic sentences
Logical sequence of the
paragraphs
The stand is introduced in the
first paragraph.
Transitions are used to
make connections
between ideas.
The essay displays
evidence of editing and
few grammar,
punctuation, or spelling
errors.

The essay is formally written,
understandable and easy to read.
A variety of transitions is used to
make connections between ideas.
The essay has been accurately
edited for grammar, punctuation,
and spelling errors. (There are no
more than 5 errors.)