iRubric: 8th Grade ELA Argumentative Essay Rubric

edit print share Copy to my rubrics Bookmark test run assess... delete Do more...

8th Grade ELA Argumentative Essay Rubric

The attached rubric supports Writing Standard 1 under the Common Core State Standards. This rubric was specifically designed with Cass Middle School in mind.

Rubric Code: XBW4A7

By pat_murphy57

Ready to use

Public Rubric

Subject: English

Type: Writing

Grade Levels: 6-8

CMS Argumentative Essay Rubric
	Exemplary 4 pts	Proficient 3 pts	Emerging 2 pts	Not Yet Demonstrated 1 pts
Intro / Thesis	Exemplary Well-developed introduction engages the reader and creates interest. Contains background information and a clear explanation of the problem. Thesis states a position and appears as the last sentence of the paragraph.	Proficient Introduction creates interest and contains background information. Thesis clearly states a problem and the writer's position is evident.	Emerging Introduction adequately explains the background of the problem, but may lack clarity. Thesis states a problem, but writer's position may not be evident.	Not Yet Demonstrated Background details are a random collection of information, unclear, and may be loosely related to the topic. Thesis / position is unclear or not present.
Argumentative Points	Exemplary Well-developed argumentative points directly support the writer's thesis / position. Supporting examples are detailed. Support is logical and well-thought-out. Acknowledges opposing viewpoints. Conclusion revisits the thesis in a new way and applies the writer's position.	Proficient Most argumentative points are related to the thesis, but one may lack sufficient support or strays away from thesis. counterclaim acknowledges opposing viewpoint(s) with some logic and clarity. Conclusion summarizes thesis and key points with some "fresh" comments present.	Emerging More than one argumentative point lacks sufficient details and support. Writer attempts to address one or more opposing arguments, but the writer may not counter the opposition clearly or adequately. Conclusion mirrors introduction too closely, with little or no comments about the writer's thesis / position.	Not Yet Demonstrated Most argumentative points are poorly developed. Counterargument is unclear or missing. Conclusion does not re-word the thesis or summarize key argumentative point(s).
Organization	Exemplary Logical progression of ideas with a tiered up vocabulary that strengthens the thesis. Transitions are smooth and provide connections between and among ideas.	Proficient Logical progression of ideas. Transitions are present throughout essay and provide adequate coherence between and among ideas.	Emerging Organization is clear. Transitions are present, but may not lend to coherence between and among ideas.	Not Yet Demonstrated No disceernable organization. Transition are not present.
Style & Conventions	Exemplary Writing is clear and understandable. Sentences are strong and expressive and varies in length and structure. Words are well-chosen. The tone is highly consistent with writer's position / thesis and appropriate throughout essay. Punctuation, spelling, & capitalization are accurate with few or no errors.	Proficient Writing is clear and sentences have some varied structure. Diction is appropriate. Tone is generally consistent with writer's position / thesis and is appropriate throughout essay. Punctuation, spelling, & capitalization are generally accurate, with some errors.	Emerging Writing is clear, but sentences may lack variety. Diction is sometimes inconsistent and/or inappropriate at various points in essay. Tone may be inconsistent with writer's position / thesis. Several errors in punctuation, spelling, & capitalization.	Not Yet Demonstrated Writing is confusing and hard to follow. Contains fragments and/or run-on sentences. Diction is inappropriate and inconsistent throughout essay. Tone of piece is highly inconsistent with writer's position / thesis. Many errors in punctuation, spelling, & capitalization distract reader.
Sources	Exemplary Evidence from sources is smoothly and logically included in essay and serves to add credibility & understanding of the writer's position / thesis. All sources are properly cited accurately and are useful.	Proficient Evidence from source(s) is included in the text. Most sources are cited accurately and are generally related to the thesis and reliable.	Emerging Some source material is used and may or may not lend credibility to writer's position / thesis. Several sources may not be cited accurately. Relevance and reliability may be questionable.	Not Yet Demonstrated Little or no source material is used. Source citations are not evident or may be highly inaccurate. Relevance and/or reliability are questionable.
Format	Exemplary Essay is typed or written in blue or black ink. Paper is clean (no stray marks, smudges or stains) Submitted and stapled in this order: 1. rubric 2. final 3. rough draft	Proficient Essay is typed or written in blue or black ink. Paper is somewhat clean Submitted and stapled in this order: 1. rubric 2. final	Emerging Essay is typed or written in blue or black ink. Paper is not clean Submitted w/o staple in this order: 1. rubric 2. rough draft	Not Yet Demonstrated Essay is written in pencil 1. rough draft or not at all
Totals	Exemplary	Proficient	Emerging	Not Yet Demonstrated

Keywords:

audience, argument, claim, support,counterclaim, reasons, evidence, citations, conventions

Subjects:

Types:

Writing

Discuss this rubric