iRubric: AP Argument Rubric (BEST)

Introduction is skillfully written to engage the audience and make them receptive. Prompt is clearly understood and addressed in a sophisticated manner. The central claim is well crafted, clearly stated, argumentative in nature, and clearly defends, challenges, or qualifies the issue at hand in a more eloquent fashion than an 3 response. All necessary background information is included.

Introduction is well written and engages the audience and makes them receptive. Prompt is clearly understood and addressed in an original manner. The central claim is well crafted, clearly stated, argumentative in nature, and clearly defends, challenges, or qualifies the issue at hand. All necessary background information is included.

Introduction attempts to engage the audience and/or make them receptive. Prompt is mostly understood and addressed. The central claim takes a positition that defends, challenges, or qualifies the issue at hand but may awkward. Some background information is included.

Attempt to engage the audience awkward or vague. Prompt is somewhat misunderstood but partially addressed. The central claim is inappropriate, weak, or unclear. No background information.

Reasons and evidence are astute, sophisticated, persuasive, and poignantly relevant, drawing on their reading, observations, past studies or experiences. Warrants and backings are eloquently considered. Conditions of rebuttal show keen insight and eloquently contribute to the persuasiveness of the argument. Argument is fully developed and is overwhelmingly effective at supporting the central claim.

Reasons and evidence are persuasive, and relevant, drawing on their reading, observations, past studies or experiences. Warrants and backings are effectively considered. Conditions of rebuttal show keen insight and contribute to the persuasiveness of the argument. Argument is fully developed and very effective at supporting the central claim.

Reasons and evidence are adequately persuasive and relevant, drawing on their reading, observations, past studies or experiences. There is some evidence of warrants and backings. Conditions of rebuttal are limited. Argument does a fairly good job supporting the central claim.

Argument is flawed or illogical. Reasons are mostly irrelevant and little evidence is used to support them. Warrants are wrong or missing when needed. Opposing perspectives are overly simplistic or wrong, if present.

Makes a sophisticated and eloquent summary of the arguments. Arouses sympathy for the topic and motivates the audience to action. Effectively enhances ethos and makes use of emotional appeals.

Makes a sophisticated summary of the arguments. Arouses sympathy for the topic and motivates the audience to action. Effectively ehances ethos and makes use of emotional appeals.

Clearly summarizes the arguments and reinforces the thesis. Motivates the audience to action. Makes a limited attempt to ehance ethos and/or make use of emotional appeals.

Summary of the arguments is limited. Awkward tie back to thesis. Ineffective attempt to appeal to audience in any fashion.

Abstract noun is firmly connected to the thesis statement. The noun takes the center stage of the argument.

Abstract noun is used inthe thesis, but the connection is loose.

Abstract noun is mentioned, but has no connection to the thesis.

Abstract noun is not mentioned in the essay.