Assessment Rubric/Criteria for Position Paper

Student:______________________________________________
Poor Fair Good Excellent
Criterion

Position not clearly stated; Takes a strong, well defined

Clear position taken
development is brief; position; uses at least three
and defined; some
No clear position taken; unrelated, unsupported appropriate reasons with at
Content & reasons and some
reasons undeveloped; general statements, least two supporting details
Development details present, but not
no supporting facts reasons, and details; for each reason. Counter
50% fully developed.
used minimal facts used. arguments effectively
Counter arguments
Counter arguments not addressed, w/o undercutting
addressed.
acknowledged. position.

_____ 0 10 20 25 30 35 40 45 48 50

Structure of the paper is Structure of paper is clear

Organization and not easy to follow. and easy to follow. Paragraph
Structure is mostly clear
structure detract from Paragraph transitions transitions are logical and
Organization and easy to follow.
the message of the need improvement. maintain the flow of thought
& Structure Paragraph transitions
writer. Paragraphs are Conclusion is missing, or if throughout the paper.
20 % are present. Conclusion
disjointed and lack provided, does not flow Conclusion is logical and
is logical.
transition of thoughts. from the body of the flows from the body of the
paper. paper.

_____ 0 5 10 12 15 20

Paper lacks many Paper follows Paper follows all designated

elements of correct designated guidelines. guidelines. Paper is the
Paper follows most
Format formatting. Paper is Paper is the appropriate appropriate length as
guidelines. Paper is over/
10 % inadequate/ excessive length as described for described for the assignment.
under word length.
in length. Paper is not the assignment. Format enhances readability
double spaced. Format is good. of paper.

_____ 0 2 5 7 10

Paper contains few Rules of grammar, usage,

Paper contains
grammatical, punctuation Rules of grammar, and punctuation are followed;
Grammar, grammatical,
and spelling errors. usage, and punctuation spelling is correct. Language
Punct. & punctuation, and
Language lacks clarity or are followed with minor is clear and precise;
Spelling spelling errors.
includes the use of some errors. Few or no sentences display
20 % Language uses jargon
jargon or conversational spelling errors. consistently strong, varied
or conversational tone.
tone. structure.

_____ 0 5 10 12 15 20