Honors English II

Persuasive Essay Rubric

Name___________________
Date_____________________

Category A: Introduction of Argument Thesis Statement/Statement of Claim Score _____

6
clearly establishes and cogently defines an insightful argument/thesis
5
clearly establishes and generally defines an appropriate argument/thesis
4
identifies and defines an appropriate argument/thesis
3
identifies and develops a mostly appropriate argument/thesis
2
attempts to identify but falls short of defining a clear argument/thesis
1
fails to identify the purpose of the essay
Category B: Style of Argument/Counter Arguments & Claims
6
clearly and completely addresses and directly communicates argument
5
directly addresses and expresses argument clearly
4
communicates each part of the argument directly or indirectly
3
communicates most parts of the argument directly or indirectly
2
fails to communicate important parts of the argument directly or indirectly
1
does not address the argument or misinterprets argument

Score _____

Category C: Supporting Evidence

Score _____
6
insightful organizes sequence of ideas according to the purpose of the argument
5
organizes material clearly and develops ideas with generally insightful evidence
4
organizes conventional evidence in appropriate but perfunctorily arranged, formulaic paragraphs
3
organizes material with little relation to the point or purpose of the essay
2
organizes weak material in a confusing manner; generally ignores paragraph development
1
lacks discernible organization; ignores relevant development of ideas
Category D: Formatting/Transitions/Topic Sentences/Concluding Sentences
Score _____
6
uses clear, precise, and appropriate varied sentences to convey meaning and create effect
5
uses clear sentences with appropriately varied structures to create interest
4
consists of mostly clear sentences with some structural variety
3
contains minor sentence errors and little sentence variety
2
includes sentence errors that sometimes interfere with meaning
1
contains serious errors that obscure the meaning
Category E: Use of Language
Score _____
6
uses precise and effective vocabulary extremely well-suited to the subject and audience
5
contains vocabulary that clearly and accurately convey meaning
4
uses conventional but generally correct and appropriate vocabulary
3
uses ordinary vocabulary with some errors in diction and idiom
2
contains awkward word choice and frequent errors in diction or idiom
1
uses words that often obscure meaning
Category F: Grammar Mechanics
Score _____
6
avoids all or virtually all grammar and usage errors
5
includes occasional minor errors in Standard English grammar and usage
4
uses Standard English grammar and usage but with several minor errors in Standard English
3
contains errors in Standard English grammar and usage that occasionally obscures meaning
2
contains error in Standard English grammar and usage that frequently obscure meaning
1
contains several major errors in Standard English grammar and usage that block meaning
Total Score _______

Writing Assignment General Rubric Grading:

The A is a SUPERIOR paper in every way, marked by the following traits:

Category A: Introduction of Argument

Outstanding word choice, organization, syntax and a variety of sentence patterns

Maturity of thought and language
Clear purpose with detailed development, supported by examples, quotations, and indirect references
includes an effective hook, brief background, and thesis
states a clear position on the topic

The A is a SUPERIOR paper in every way, marked by the following traits:

Category B: Style of Argument

Essay Score
Grade Book Value

9
100

8
96

Fall Semester:
7
6
90
86

5
81

4
77

3
74

2
70

1
65

Composite Score
34-36
31-33
28-30
25-27
22-24
19-21
16-18
13-15
12 or below
Overall Score _______

Numerical Score _______

Writing Assignment General Rubric Grading:

The A is a SUPERIOR paper in every way, marked by the following traits:
Outstanding word choice, organization, syntax and a variety of sentence patterns
Maturity of thought and language
Clear purpose with detailed development, supported by examples, quotations, and indirect references.
The B is an EXCELLENT paper, marked by the following traits:
Good word choice, sentence structure, and organization
Good maturity of thought and language/ Lacked the more mature style of the superior essay.
A stated purpose with less development, examples, and details.
No more than several minor errors in grammar, spelling, and punctuation.
The C paper is an AVERAGE paper, marked by the following traits:
Average word choice; often simple, immature, and inappropriate organization/ but lacks adequate
development.
Good sentence structure but often simple and without variety/ Average maturity of thought
Fair logic, clear enough to convey the papers purpose.
Only one major error in grammar, spelling, or punctuation and/ or several minor errors.
The D is a BELOW AVERAGE paper, marked by the following traits:
Poor diction, misuse of words, non-standard expression; some attempt at organization.
Garbled, fragmented, or unclear sentence patterns.
Little thought, resulting in poorly conceived, expressed, and developed ideas.
Serious errors in grammar, spelling, punctuation, mechanics.
The F is a FAILURE paper, marked by the following traits:
Poor and immature word choice; lack of organization.
Disconnect or garble syntax / Long, uncontrolled, infantile, short, or choppy sentence patterns.
Lack of logic which fails to conceive, state, or develop an idea.
NOTE: Major errors consist of the following:
o Misuse of the in plurals
Comma splice
Misuse of in possessive pronouns and
Lack of subject-verb agreement
possessive
Lack of pronoun antecedent agreement

Unjustifiable fragment
Run-on or fused sentences
Misuse of to, too; their, there; its, its
Any three of the following:
o Misuse of ; or :