Skip to main content

iRubric: Argumentative Essay Rubric

find rubric

edit   print   share   Copy to my rubrics   Bookmark   test run   assess...   delete   Do more...
Argumentative Essay Rubric 
Rubric Code: TXC4825
By dhmeanmommy
Ready to use
Public Rubric
Subject: English  
Type: Assessment  
Grade Levels: 9-12

Powered by iRubric Argumentative Essay
  Poor

4 pts

Fair

6 pts

Good

8 pts

Excellent

10 pts

Thesis

Poor

Missing a thesis.
Fair

Written with a confusing or
misleading thesis.
Good

Written with a clear thesis.
Excellent

Written with a clear and outstanding thesis.
Transitions

Poor

Writing lacks transitions, leading to a
disjointed and confusing reading.
Fair

Some sections are too isolated –
not linked by transitions.
Good

Some of the transitions are weaker,
detracting from the writing and
organization
Excellent

The writer uses effective words
throughout the article to make
transitions between ideas.
Use of Sources

Poor

Doesn’t use sources.
Fair

Utilizes two sources. Sources are
basically irrelevant and aren’t
acceptable.
Good

Utilizes three sources (all are
online). Sources aren’t quite
reputable and/or aren’t quite fitting
for the topic.
Excellent

Utilizes three sources (at least one print
source). Sources are reputable.
Audience/Tone/Rhetorical Appeals

Poor

None of the article contains arguments
and/or reasons that address the intended
audience.
Fair

Very little of the article contains
reasons that would concern or
appeal to the intended audience.
Good

Some of the writing would concern
or appeal to the intended audience.
At times, the focus wanders from
the intended audience. Tone is
inconsistent at times.
Excellent

All the reasons are written to convince
the appropriate audience. Purpose has
been achieved. Tone is consistent and
convincing.
Organization

Poor

Arguments are illogically organized and
incoherent.
Fair

Very little of the essay is well
organized. Claims are not
supported by evidence.
Good

At times, the argument is not
logically organized and/or the
evidence doesn’t support the claims.
Excellent

Arguments are organized logically and
coherently.
Claims, Warrants, And Support

Poor

Writing only makes one major claim and
doesn’t address any assumptions.
Fair

Writing doesn’t address
assumptions, makes only two or
fewer claims re: the major
argument and/or doesn’t provide
support
Good

One or more claim is lacking
support and the writer doesn’t
clearly address assumptions.
Excellent

Writing addresses assumptions, makes
at least three smaller claims re: the
major argument, and provides support
for every claim.
Paraphrase, Direct Quotation

Poor

Writing lacks all three.
Fair

Writing only contains one of the
three or they are done incorrectly.
Good

Writing only contains two of the
three and/or paraphrase and/or
summary are done incorrectly
Excellent

Writing contains a balanced and
successful mix of paraphrase, direct
quote, and summary.
In-text Citations/Works Cited

Poor

Doesn’t cite sources used or doesn’t use
sources.
Fair

Incorrectly cites sources on the
works cited page and doesn’t
correctly incorporate quotes in the
body of the essay.
Good

Using MLA format, correctly cites
all sources on the works cited page
with only a few minor errors.
Incorporates quotes correctly in the
essay with only a few minor errors.
Excellent

Using MLA format, correctly cites all
sources used on the works cited page.
Incorporates quotes correctly in the
essay
Mechanics

Poor

Many grammar and spelling mistakes.
Word choices are weak and sentence
variety is nonexistent. Is written from
first person POV.
Fair

Several grammar and spelling
mistakes. Words choices are
simple; sentences lack variety.
Uses “I” or first person POV
sparingly.
Good

Uses mostly correct grammar and
spelling. Some attempt at variety in
words choice/sentence variety.
Doesn’t use “I” or first person POV,
except in sections of personal
narrative.
Excellent

Uses all correct grammar and spelling
throughout. Sentence variety and word
choices are outstanding. Doesn’t use
“I” or first person POV, except in
sections of personal narrative.
Style and Syntax

Poor

Lacks appropriate syntax and any attempt
at style.
Fair

Overuses short or long sentences,
has similar sentence structure
throughout, and has high-school
level style.
Good

Attempts to use varied sentence
length and structure, and is almost at
a mature, college-level style.
Excellent

Uses varied sentence length and
structure, and has a mature, collegelevel style.




Subjects:

Types:

Discuss this rubric




Do more with this rubric:
Preview

Preview

Preview this rubric.
Edit

Edit

Modify this rubric.
Copy

Copy

Make a copy of this rubric and begin editing the copy.

Print

Print

Show a printable version of this rubric.
Categorize

Categorize

Add this rubric to multiple categories.
Bookmark

Bookmark

Bookmark this rubric for future reference.
Assess
Test run

Test run

Test this rubric or perform an ad-hoc assessment.
Grade

Grade

Build a gradebook to assess students.
Collaborate

Collaborate

Apply this rubric to any object and invite others to assess.
Share
Publish

Publish

Link, embed, and showcase your rubrics on your website.
Email

Email

Email this rubric to a friend.
Discuss

Discuss

Discuss this rubric with other members.
 

Do more with rubrics than ever imagined possible.

Only with iRubrictm.

n224