Name: 

Grade:   

Excellent

Good

Fair

Poor

Insufficient

Establishing the Subject, Position, and Audience

       Subject problem introduced in detail, with sufficient background for readers to understand it clearly

       Argument to be rebutted accurately and sufficiently summarized

       Author’s position is explicitly and clearly stated early on

       Target audience is clear and consistently addressed throughout the essay

Discussion: 

Elaborating Plausible Reasons and Convincing Support

Excellent

Good

Fair

Poor

Insufficient

       One reason per paragraph, clearly set out, with focus maintained upon that reason throughout the paragraph

       Specific examples and support (examples, statistics, authorities, anecdotes) are utilized in each paragraph to support reason(s)

       Logical connections between evidence and reason, and position, are clearly explained

       Reasons add up to a logical, convincing overall support of the position

Discussion: 

Considering Opposing Positions

Excellent

Good

Fair

Poor

Insufficient

       Relevant and significant points of agreement stated

       Opposing positions (from author rebutted) are raised during the course of discussion

       Opposing positions (from author rebutted) are addressed seriously and adequately before returning to author’s primary rebuttal

Discussion: 

Considering Reader’s Objections

Excellent

Good

Fair

Poor

Insufficient

       Reader’s objections to the author’s arguments are anticipated during the course of discussion

       Reader’s objections to the author’s arguments are addressed seriously and adequately considered before returning to the author’s primary reasons/proposal

Discussion: 

Considering Reader’s Needs

Excellent

Good

Fair

Poor

Insufficient

       Sentences are carefully constructed with few run-ons, comma-splices or fragments; essay is well proofread

       Sentences are clear and direct; meanings are apparent

       Evidence is established with signal phrases so readers understand the validity of the source

       Evidence is discussed so readers understand how the author is using the evidence itself

       Transitions are used to build connections and relationships between ideas, within and between paragraphs

Discussion: 

Sequencing Elements Logically

Excellent

Good

Fair

Poor

Insufficient

       Essay takes care to present causes in a logical order (for instance:  strongest to weakest; weakest to strongest; chronological order; order based on related qualities)

Discussion: