iRubric: Argumentative Essay rubric

Skillfully gains the readers attention in the introduction with a catching lead

Thoroughly develops claim with relevant body paragraphs

Provides a meaningful and reflective conclusion which draws from and supports claim

Creates cohesion through skillful use of transitions

Includes purposeful and logical progression of ideas from beginning to end

Orients reader to topic in introduction with a lead

Develops claim with
relevant body paragraphs

Provides a conclusion that follows from and supports claim

Creates cohesion through use of transitions

Includes logical progression of
ideas from beginning to end

Partially orients reader to topic in introduction

Superficially develops
claim with body paragraphs

Provides a conclusion which repetitively or partially supports claim

Creates some cohesion
through basic transitions

Includes adequate progression of ideas from beginning to end

Inadequately orients or fails to orient the reader to topic in introduction

Inadequately develops
claim with minimal body paragraphs

Provides an inadequate conclusion or omits conclusion

Uses limited/inappropriate or no transitions

Includes uneven or no progression of ideas from beginning to end

Shows insightful understanding of topic or text

Uses valid reasoning to connect evidence with claim

Shows competent
understanding of topic or text

Uses valid reasoning to
connect evidence with claim

Shows some
understanding of topic or text

Uses some valid and accurate reasoning to connect evidence with claim

Shows limited/flawed or no understanding of topic or text

Uses limited, simplistic, flawed or no reasoning to connect evidence with claim