Debate Rubric
Criteria
Understanding/
Knowledge
of the topic being
debated/
supporting
arguments
Thinking/
Inquiry
quality of rebuttal
Communication
(Oral)
Level 1
(50-59%)
- displays limited
understanding of
the topic
supported the
arguments with
very few relevant
facts or with
irrelevant facts
- rebuttal is mostly
ineffective
Level 3
(70-79%)
- displays
considerable
understanding of
the topic
supported
arguments with
relevant facts
- rebuttal is
somewhat
effective
- communicates
orally with some
effectiveness
- rebuttal is
effective
- communicates
orally with
considerable
effectiveness
- knowledge
previously gained
is transferred to
the debate in an
effective manner
Level 4
(80-100%)
- displays
thorough
understanding of
the topic
supported
arguments with
many relevant
facts
- rebuttal is highly
effective
- communicates
orally with a great
deal of
effectiveness
- knowledge
- knowledge
- knowledge
Application
previously gained previously gained
previously gained
is transferred to
is transferred to
is transferred to
the debate with
the debate with
the debate in a
limited
moderate
highly effective
effectiveness
effectiveness
manner
Note: A student whose achievement is below Level 1 (50%) has not met all the expectations for
this assignment or activity
Student Name:
Comments:
- communicates
orally with limited
effectiveness
Level 2
(60-69%)
- displays some
understanding of
the topic
supported
arguments with
some relevant
facts