PERSUASIVE ESSAY RUBRIC

Exceeds

Meets

Name:
Does not fully
meet
3

Period:
Partially meets

Does not meet

Component

Focus

Takes a clear position

and supports it
consistently with at
least 3 well-chosen
reasons and evidence
from text; skillfully
supported and
defended position.
Argument is
extremely convincing.

Takes a clear
position and supports
it with 3 relevant
reasons and evidence
from text;
adequately
supported and
defended position.
Argument is
convincing.

Takes a position and

provides uneven
support; includes at
least 2 reasons and
some evidence from
text; may lack
development in parts
or is repetitive.
Argument is
understood.

Takes a position, but

essay is
underdeveloped.
Only 1 reason; very
little support. Not
enough evidence
from text to support
the argument.

Attempts to take a
position (addresses
topic), but position is
very unclear OR
takes a position, but
provides minimal or
no support. Little or
no evidence from
text for an
argument.

Is focused and well

organized, with
effective use of
transitions.

Is generally
organized, but has
few or no transitions
among sections.

Is disorganized or
unfocused in much of
the essay OR is clear,
but too brief.

Exhibits little or no
clear organization.

Consistently exhibits
variety in word
choice. Excellent use
of persuasive
language. At least 5
or more Rock the SAT
vocabulary words
used correctly.
Errors in grammar,
spelling, and
punctuation are few
and do not interfere
with understanding.
Consistently exhibits
variety in sentence
structure.

Exhibits some variety

in word choice; good
use of persuasive
language. Only four
Rock the SAT words
used correctly.

Is organized in parts
of the essay; other
parts are disorderly
and/or lack
transitions.
Word choice lacks
variety or
persuasion. Words
may be used
inaccurately. Only
three Rock the SAT
words used correctly.

Word choice may

often be inaccurate.
Little or no use of
persuasive language.
Only two Rock the
SAT words used
correctly.

More frequent errors

in grammar, spelling,
and punctuation, but
they do not interfere
with understanding.
Most sentences are
well constructed but
have similar
structure.

Errors in grammar,
spelling, and
punctuation
sometimes interfere
with understanding.
Sentence structure
may be simple and
unvaried.

Errors in grammar,
spelling, and
punctuation interfere
with understanding in
much of the essay.
Sentences lack
formal structure.

Word choice may be

inaccurate in much
or the entire essay.
No persuasive
language used. None
of the Rock the SAT
words present or all
used incorrectly.
Errors in grammar,
spelling, and
punctuation prevent
reader from fully
understanding essay.
Sentences run-on
and appear
incomplete or
rambling.

All of the following

elements are correct/
complete/submitted:
!Persuasion Map
!Peer Editing Form
!MLA format
!Works Cited page

One required
element is missing.
MLA format is mostly
followed.

Two required
elements are
missing. MLA format
is somewhat
followed.

Three required
elements are
missing. Lacks many
MLA formatting.

Organization

Word Choice

Conventions

Required
Elements

Four or all required

elements are
missing. MLA format
not present or used
incorrectly.

Total Score (max 25 pts.)

Score