This document provides a scoring guide for an essay assignment that requires students to argue a position on an issue. It outlines several criteria for evaluating the essays across five levels from exemplary to unsatisfactory. The criteria address elements such as the introduction, clear thesis, reasons and support, consideration of opposing positions, mechanics, and MLA formatting. For each level, the guide describes the expected quality of the essay in meeting the various criteria.

1. Essay #2 Arguing Positions Scoring Guide
A Focused
Presentation
A Clear
Position
Plausible Reasons and
Convincing Support
Anticipating Opposing Positions and
Objections
Mechanics MLA Formatting
àThe
introduction
is creative,
original,
appropriate,
and prepares
readers for
the
argument.
àAn arguable
assertion is
present.
àThe 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.
àThe 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.
àThe essay is well argued and devoid of
logical fallacies.
à Technical mistakes are
rare, and they are not
distracting.
à The writer is firmly in
control of flow, style, and
diction.
àThe paper meets all of the
criteria of the assignment.
All references to sources
are accompanied by in-
text citations.
Quotations are integrated
appropriately.
The paper contains an
accurate Works Cited
page.
The Works Cited page is
formatted perfectly.
Essay formatting is
perfect.
à The
introduction
uses one of
the
introduction
methods we
discussed to
get started.
It is well-
written
àAn 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.
àMost 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.
àThe essay is predominantly successful
in transitioning between argument and
counterargument and/or accommodating
or refuting opposing positions and
objections.
àThe essay is well argued and devoid of
logical fallacies.
à A few technical mistakes
are made, but they are not
distracting.
à The writer demonstrates
good control of flow, style,
and diction.
à The paper meets most of
the criteria of the
assignment.
All references to sources
have in-text citations.
Most quotations are
integrated appropriately.
An accurate Works Cited
page is present, but there
may be formatting
errors.
A few mistakes may
occur in essay
formatting.
àThe
introduction
gets the
reader to the
thesis but
not with
much
enthusiasm.
àAn 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.
àMost 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.
àThe essay is somewhat successful in
transitioning between argument and
counterargument and/or accommodating
or refuting opposing positions and
objections.
àThe essay has a dominant argument
and is devoid of logical fallacies.
à Mistakes stand out in
more than one of the
following areas: grammar,
punctuation, spelling, or
syntax.
à The writer demonstrates
fair control of flow, style,
and diction.
àThe paper fails to meet
some of the criteria of the
assignment.
In-text citations are
present, but are
insufficient.
Some quotations are
integrated appropriately
The Works Cited page is
accurate but may be
incorrectly formatted.
A few mistakes occur in
essay formatting.

2. àThe
introduction
is too short
or discusses
the wrong
topic.
à The
introduction
does not
introduce
the issue.
àAn arguable
assertion is
present.
àThe writer’s
position is
unclear and
qualifications
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.
àThe essay is unsuccessful in
transitioning between argument and
counterargument and/or accommodating
or refuting opposing positions and
objections.
àThe essay has no dominant argument
and logical fallacies.
à Mistakes stand out in
more than one of the
following areas: grammar,
punctuation, spelling, or
syntax.
à The writer has marginal
control of flow, style, and
diction.
àThe paper fails to meet
the criteria of the
assignment.
Few in-text citations.
Quotations are not
integrated appropriately.
The Works Cited page is
missing or incomplete,
OR the formatting is
problematic.
The essay formatting is
incorrect.
à The
introduction
is
inappropriat
e.
à The essay
does not
contain an
introduction
to the issue.
àAn arguable
assertion is not
present.
àThe writer’s
position is
unclear and
qualifications
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.
àThe essay is unsuccessful in
transitioning between argument and
counterargument and/or accommodating
or refuting opposing positions and
objections.
àThe essay has no dominant argument
and logical fallacies.
à No logical plan is apparent.
à Mistakes are so
distracting that it is difficult
to read the paper.
à The essay is unreadable.
à The paper does not meet
the criteria for the
assignment.
No in-text citations.
The Works Cited page
is missing or incomplete,
OR the formatting is
problematic.
The essay is not
submitted or not typed.