1. Arguing Positions Scoring Guide
A Focused
Presentation
A Clear
Position
Plausible Reasons and
Convincing Support
Anticipating Opposing Positions
and Objections
Language Use Mechanics
5 àThe
introduction
is creative,
original,
appropriate,
and prepares
readers for
the
argument.
àAn
arguable
assertion is
present.
àThe writer
makes her/his
position
(thesis)
unambiguous,
appropriately
qualified, and
clearly
arguable.
à The plausible reasons for the
writer’s position show insight
into the issue.
à All of the writer’s points are
supported by one or more of the
following: examples,
explanation, authorities or
anecdotes.
à All of the writer’s points are
thoroughly explained.
à All paragraphs have strong
topic sentences and are well
organized.
àThe writer successfully
anticipates other positions on the
issue.
à The writer successfully addresses
objections and questions readers
might have about the issue.
à The essay transitions
successfully between argument and
counterargument and/or
accommodating or refuting
opposing positions and objections.
àThe essay is well argued and
devoid of logical fallacies.
The
writer
conveys
interest,
passion
and
engagement
to
the
reader.
The
writer
uses
precise,
expressive
language,
which
includes
appropriate
rhetorical
strategies.
Vivid
vocabulary
and
a
compelling
voice
energize
the
topic.
The
essay
includes
a
variety
of
sophisticated
sentence
structures.
Sentences
are
free
from
major
grammatical
errors.
There are no major punctuation
problems and few to no typographical
errors.
The
essay
is
formatted
in
MLA
style
The
essay
meets
the
assignment
criteria.
All
references
to
sources
are
accompanied
by
in-­‐
text
citations.
Quotations
are
used
and
integrated
appropriately
There is an accurate
works cited page.
4 à The
introduction
uses one of
the
introduction
methods we
discussed to
get started.
It is well-written
àAn
arguable
assertion is
present.
à The
writer’s
position is
clear.
à The plausible reasons for the
writer’s position show insight
into the issue.
à Most of the writer’s points
are supported by one or more of
the following: examples,
explanation, authorities or
anecdotes.
à Some points of the issue
may lack thoroughness of
explanation.
àMost paragraphs have strong
topic sentences and are well
organized.
à The writer successfully
anticipates other positions on the
issue.
à The writer attempts to address
objections and questions readers
might have about the issue.
àThe essay is predominantly
successful in transitioning between
argument and counterargument
and/or accommodating or refuting
opposing positions and objections.
àThe essay is well argued and
devoid of logical fallacies.
Clear
sentences
and
accurate
vocabulary
engage
the
readers
in
the
topic
The
writer
attempts
to
use
the
appropriate
rhetorical
strategies.
The
essay
includes
a
variety
of
sentence
structures
Sentences
have
only
a
couple
of
major
grammatical
errors
and
no
pervasive
pattern
of
error.
The essay may include some
punctuation problems or typographical
errors
The
essay
is
formatted
in
MLA
style
The
essay
meets
the
assignment
criteria.
References
to
sources
have
in-­‐text
citations.
Quotations
are
used
and
integrated
appropriately
The works cited page
has an error or two
3 àThe
introduction
gets the
reader to the
thesis but
not with
much
enthusiasm.
àAn
arguable
assertion is
present.
à The
writer’s
position is
somewhat
clear.
à The plausible reasons for the
writer’s position are present but
do not show insight into the
issue.
à The writer’s points are
inconsistently supported by one
or more of the following:
examples, explanations,
authorities or anecdotes.
àMost paragraphs have strong
topic sentences and are well
organized.
à The writer anticipates other
positions on the issue. à The writer
attempts to address objections and
questions readers might have about
the issue. àThe essay is somewhat
successful in transitioning between
argument and counterargument
and/or accommodating or refuting
opposing positions and objections.
àThe essay has a dominant
argument and is devoid of logical
fallacies.
Sentences
show
mostly
accurate
vocabulary.
This
essay
may
contain
minor
problems
in
grammar,
punctuation,
or
word
choice,
which
distract
the
reader
but
do
not
get
in
the
way
of
ideas.
Sentences
show
some
variation
of
structure
and
style.
Meets
some
MLA
criteria.
The
essay
meets
most
of
the
essay
criteria.
In-­‐text
citations
are
present,
but
are
insufficient.
Most
quotations
are
used
and
integrated
appropriately
The
works
cited
page
has
errors
or
is
missing
sources

2. 2 àThe
introduction
is too short
or discusses
the wrong
topic.
à The
introduction
does not
introduce
the issue.
àAn
arguable
assertion is
present.
àThe
writer’s
position is
unclear and
qualification
s and/or
argument
are too
summary-like.
à The plausible reasons for the
writer’s position are present but
do not show insight into the
issue.
à The writer’s points are
inconsistently supported by one
or more of the following:
examples, explanation,
authorities or anecdotes.
à Most points of the issue may
lack thoroughness of
explanation.
à The reader is not cued with
topic sentences, controlling
ideas, or transitions.
à The paper does not anticipate
other positions on the issue.
à The writer unsuccessfully
attempts to address objections and
questions readers might have about
the issue.
àThe essay is unsuccessful in
transitioning between argument and
counterargument and/or
accommodating or refuting
opposing positions and objections.
àThe essay has no dominant
argument and logical fallacies.
Sentences
are
very
simple,
showing
little
to
no
variation
in
structure.
The
essay
contains
serious
grammatical
errors,
making
the
essay
difficult
to
understand
at
times
Word choices are very repetitious or
frequently inaccurate.
The
essay
meets
some
of
the
assignment
criteria.
No
in-­‐text
citations.
Some
quotations
are
used
and
integrated
appropriately
The works cited page
has errors or is missing
sources
1 à The
introduction
is
inappropriat
e.
à The essay
does not
contain an
introduction
to the issue.
àAn
arguable
assertion is
not present.
àThe
writer’s
position is
unclear and
qualification
s and/or
argument
are not
present.
à The plausible reasons for the
writer’s position are not present
à The writer’s points are not
supported by one or more of the
following: examples,
explanation, authorities or
anecdotes.
à Most points of the issue may
lack thoroughness of
explanation.
à The reader is not cued with
topic sentences, controlling
ideas, or transitions.
à The essay does not
demonstrate an understanding
of the genre.
à The writer does not anticipate
other positions on the issue.
à The writer fails to address
objections and questions readers
might have about the issue.
àThe essay is unsuccessful in
transitioning between argument and
counterargument and/or
accommodating or refuting
opposing positions and objections.
àThe essay has no dominant
argument and logical fallacies.
à No logical plan is apparent.
Errors in grammar, spelling, or
misused vocabulary seriously impede
comprehension.
The
essay
does
not
meet
the
assignment
criteria.
No
in-­‐text
citations.
Quotations
are
not
used
or
integrated
appropriately
There
is
no
works
cited
page