Name ____________________________________________ HR ________________ Date_________________
PERSUASIVE ESSAY RUBRIC
CATEGORY
4
3
2
1
Introduction and Uses an effective lead strategy Clearly introduces the topic in
an engaging way. You have a
Thesis Statement to clearly introduce the topic
and has a strong thesis
statement that clearly
expresses your opinion.
Organization
(Paragraphs)
You have two supporting
paragraphs that each contain a
clear topic sentence which
supports your thesis
statement. Each paragraph
contains details which support
the topic sentence.
Evidence/Support Three or more reasons are
(Persuasiveness) very well supported with
research- based or personalexperience based facts and
details. The essay is highly
persuasive.
Introduces the topic and/or
Does not introduce the topic
problem in a simple way. Your and your thesis statement is
thesis statement that expresses thesis statement does not
unclear or not present.
your opinion on your topic.
accurately summarize the
opinion.
You have two supporting
paragraphs but they do not each
contain a separate and distinct
topic sentence that supports
your thesis.
You have too few or very
disorganized supporting
paragraphs that do not clearly
illuminate your thesis
statement.
Your essay is not organized
in such a way that the
reader can distinguish
supporting paragraphs from
the introduction.
Two or more reasons are well
supported with research- based
or personal-experience based
facts and details. The essay is
persuasive.
Reasons are partially
supported with researchbased or personal-experience
based facts and details. The
essay is not persuasive
enough.
Reasons are not supported
with research- based or
personal-experience based
facts and details. The essay
is not persuasive.
Conclusion
Provides a strong, highly
persuasive conclusion that
restates the thesis,
summarizes key points, and
ends with a prediction, call to
action, or scare statement.
Provides a persuasive
conclusion and restates the
thesis, but may be missing key
points and/or a prediction, call to
action, or scare statement.
Provides a conclusion, but it is Does not provide a
not persuasive enough and is conclusion.
missing the required thesis,
key points, and/or a
prediction, call to action, or
scare statement.
C.U.P.S.
Great diligence produced a
piece with no errors in
capitalization, word usage,
punctuation, or spelling.
The piece has few errors in
capitalization, word usage,
punctuation, or spelling.
The piece has many errors in
capitalization, word usage,
punctuation, or spelling.
Total Points ________ = _________%
Comments
A
B
C
D
F
The piece has so many
errors in capitalization, word
usage, punctuation, or
spelling that it is difficult to
read.
Persuasive Essay Format
4 paragraphs
Introduction (one paragraph)
 Introduce your topic with a statement and hook your reader.
 Explain both sides of the argument.
 Give an interesting/shocking detail that will engage your reader.
 Write a strong thesis statement that explains your opinion about the topic
Body (two paragraphs)
1. Write a paragraph with a topic sentence and supporting details. Include your reasons and evidence or
quotes from your research.
Types of evidence
 Hypothetical example (What if…, Imagine…)
 Real-life example
o (this happened to you or someone you know)
 Testimony (quote an expert)
o In the words of ...
o According to ...
o Many experts agree…
 Data (surveys, polls, research, percentages)
o A recent survey showed…
o The latest research proves
2. Finally, write a counter argument paragraph that addresses what the opposing side would say about your
topic. Give a rebuttal and knock down each point with your own feelings, opinions, or researched facts.
Suggested sentence starters for counter:
“On the other hand, some people believe ______...”
“One may argue _________; however, _____...”
Conclusion (one paragraph)
Tell the reader what to do or how to think!
 Restate your thesis in another way.
 Summarize the key points to support your side.
 Leave the reader feeling persuaded or at least challenged with a final personal comment.
o This personal comment can include a prediction, a call to action, or a scare Suggested sentence starters for conclusion:
“We need to…”
“It’s our responsibility to …”
“It’s important to…”
“In order to______, we must…”
“It would be to our benefit to…”
Persuasive words list:
-convince
-logic
-clarify
-eliminate
-overcome
-resist
-unleash
-imperative
-truth
-evidence
-consider
-focus
-prevent
-shatter
-transform
-important
-fact
-support
-popular
-improve
-reconsider
-solve
-reduce
-take action
-agree
-debate
-must
-inspire
-realize
-stop
-explore
-need
-research
-discover
-lead
-respond
-succeed
-choose
PERSUASIVE ESSAY TOPIC
Choose a debate topic. Turn the topic into a question and list the pros and
cons. Choose a side and research the topic to find support for your opinions.
Keeping animals in zoos
Using animal fur for coats
Recycling
Beauty contests
Homework
Helmets
Aliens
Donating organs
Smoking
Vegetarian or meat-eater
Celebrities or athletes as role models
Keeping exotic animals as pets (chimps, tigers)
Military women in combat
Animals used in circuses
Physical education
Facebook for kids
Owning certain breeds of dogs (pit bulls)
Electric cars-hybrids
Conserving energy
Conserving water
Caffeine for kids
Animal testing
Violent video games
Athletes and drug tests
Co-ed sports teams (girls and boys play
together)
Name ____________________________________
Date _______________
Topic ________________________________
Question: ________________________________________________________________
PROS/YES
(reasons for)
CONS/NO
(reasons against)
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