Argumentative Essay Evaluation Rubric
Criteria
Essay
Assignment
Thesis
Development
Evidence:
Analysis
Synthesis
Opposition/
Refutation
Argument
Structure
Citation
A
B
C
D
Student completely
fulfills assignment
requirements
-Process Complete
-Due Dates Met
-Final Copy
Submitted
-Format Correct
-Works Cited Incl.
Student’s thesis is a
clear, arguable,
well developed,
and definitive
statement of
position. It
answers a why or
how question
Student’s paper
demonstrates a
logical, mature, and
thorough
development of
points that support
the thesis
Student presents
relevant and fully
analyzed textual
evidence to support
the thesis following
the evidence
Student synthesizes
textual evidence
and points back to
thesis statement
Student clearly and
fully explains
opposition and
persuasively refutes
it
Student uses
effective structure
of Rhetorical
appeals, Rogerian
and Toulmin
method of
argumentation to
support the position
and use of evidence
Student follows
citation format with
meticulous care.
Includes proper in
text citation , along
with a complete
and correct works
Student completely
fulfills assignment
requirements
Student partially
fulfills assignment
requirements
(almost all)
Student partially
fulfills assignment
requirements
(almost all)
Student’s work in
no way relates to
assignment
Student’s thesis is a
clear and arguable
statement of
position that
answers a why or
how question
Student’s thesis is a
clear, arguable
statement of
position
Student’s thesis is
an outline of
points; it is not an
arguable statement
of position
Student’s work
does not have a
thesis
Student’s paper
demonstrates
adequate
development of
points that support
the thesis
Student’s paper
somewhat
demonstrates an
adequate
development of
points that support
the thesis
Student presents
relevant and
partially analyzed
textual evidence to
support the thesisStudent makes an
attempt at synthesis
Student’s paper
presents a
superficial
development of
points, many of
which do not
support the thesis
Student’s textual
evidence is
irrelevant and is not
analyzedStudent makes no
attempt at synthesis
Student’s paper
does not present
any evidence of
development of
points that support
the thesis
Student explains
opposition and
gives refutation
Student explains
opposition and
gives refutation
Student does not
include op./ref. in
paper
Student does not
include op./ref. in
paper
Student uses
structure of
Rhetorical appeals,
Rogerian and
Toulmin method of
argumentation to
support position
Student attempts to
use Rhetorical
appeals, Rogerian
and Toulmin
methods of
argument structure,
but is ineffective in
supporting position
No evidence of
argumentation
structure evident
nor attempt to use
Rhetorical appeals
to persuade
audience
Student does not
use any argument
structure or
Rhetorical appeals
Student follows
citation format with
care. Includes
proper in-text
citations along with
a complete and
correct works cited
Student follows
citation format with
meticulous care.
Includes proper intext citation, along
with a
partial/mediocre
Student does not
follow citation
format. Not
alphabetical or
incorrect MLA
formatting. Does
not include in text
Incomplete or
Missing
Student presents
relevant and
adequately
analyzed textual
evidence to support
the thesis.
Student makes an
attempt at synthesis
F
Student provides
no textual evidence
to support the
thesis. Student
makes no attempt
at synthesis
Mechanics
cited list.
list.
works cited list.
Absence of
sentence level
errors to allow
clear, coherent, and
effective meaning.
Sentence level
errors evident, but
do not interfere
with meaning or
communication
Sentence level
errors often enough
interfere with clear
communication;
confusion about
meaning in places
citation technique,
works cited list is
missing
Meaning
somewhat obscured
by sentence level
errors preventing
clear and effective
communication
No evidence of
proofreading:
grammatical errors
result in a failure to
communicate
effectively