Science Persuasive Essay Scoring Guide
Name:
Score:
This scoring guide is used to verify that specific tasks are performed when producing a persuasive essay. If the
task has been successfully completed, all points are awarded. No points are awarded if the task is not evident.
Pts
Student
Teacher
Category
Scoring Criteria
Evaluation
Evaluation
Introduction
15 points
Body of the
Report
30 points
( three
separate
paragraphs)
Conclusion
15 points
Final
Handed In
Project
30 points
Draft
10 points
An opening statement that gets the reader’s
attention (a hook).
State your opinion.
State 3 topics that support your opinion that you
will cover in your paper.
The essay demonstrates your ability to research
and share ideas about the topic. You will need to
research your topic and include that information in
your report.
Information in the essay is presented in the
student’s own words, not “cut and pasted” from
research sources. Use of complex vocabulary
must be defined.
Each paragraph covers only one topic. Including
facts, statistics, examples, etc. Use of transition
words is important.
Call the reader to action.
Student’s thoughts presented in the essay are
summarized. The most important research findings
are restated. (What do you want the reader to
remember the most?)
No new information is introduced.
Final Copy will include: Cover Sheet (1 picture,
Report Title, Author Name, & Date), Dedication
page, Body of the Report (3 small pictures may be
included in the body of your report and must
pertain to the written content), Author’s Page
(written in third person), Bibliography (Noodle
Tools).
There are no spelling or grammar errors. (proofreading is required even with spell check. Be on
the look out for there, their, to, two, etc.)
The essay is typed using a standard 12 or 14 point
font. (Font style must be easy to read.) Report is
enclosed in a folder.
Attached to your final report you must include:
Prewrite, Rough Draft with editing marks, and
SBWL’s
Total Possible Points
Comments:
5
5
5
10
10
10
5
5
5
15
10
10
10
100
Persuasive Essay Information
A persuasive essay is a multi-paragraph explanation on a specific topic in which
the author supports an opinion.
An Essay Includes:
 An opening paragraph that introduces the topic and the opinion of the
author.
 Three (minimum) body paragraphs that develop or explain the opinion
through reasons, facts, statistics, examples, anecdotes, beliefs, and/or
values.
 A strong conclusion that satisfies the reader and concludes with the
author’s call to action.
Project Time Line
Topic Chosen
Tuesday 1/22/08
Research Complete Tuesday 1/29/08
Tree Map
Wednesday 1/30/08
Rough Draft
Monday 2/6/08
Final Copy – Published
Tuesday 2/15/08
Bibliography:
All of your sources should be input into NoodleTools and printed out when you
are ready to submit your report and included in the packet of information as
outlined in the scoring guide. Include at least 3 sources. 2 of those sources
must be from different mediums such as the following.
Website (URL address, author, date published)
Magazines (Magazine Name, Publish date, Article Title, Author)
Encyclopedia (Encarta, World Book etc., Topic Researched)
Books (Title, Author, Publisher, Copyright date)
Research Hints:
Print out 2 or 3 good articles to base your report on. Use what you know about
determining importance, highlighting, and making notes in the margins to mark
up your research. Keep good notes. Once you have done your research follow
the steps of Persuasive Writing as you have learned in the classroom. You are
to write a 5 paragraph persuasive paper.