Writing Assignment Rubric
Every essay will be graded using the following topics as the criteria: Position, Elaboration, Counter Claim and Organization. Each of those four areas will be given a grade of 1 through 4, 4 being the highest grade one can receive, and will constitute 25% of your grade. Therefore, reaching “Level 4” for each criteria will result in one receiving a “100” for the assignment. A brief explanation of what each part means and how it is graded will be provided below.
Position:
This is where one must establish an opinion that directly responds to the prompt.
Level 4: Establishes a precise and convincing position, while also acknowledging limitations
and the complexity of the issue/topic.
Level 3: Establishes a precise and credible position, grounded in evidence and reasoning.
Level 2: Establishes a general position that responds to the prompt.
Level 1: States a position but does not completely address the prompt.
Level 0: No evidence of a position was provided.
Elaboration:
This is where one backs up one’s position/claim with evidence that was provided in the text.
Level 4: Provides thorough explanations of the most important claim(s), reasons and evidence
that support and develop a convincing position.
Level 3: Provides detailed explanations of the most important claim(s), reasons and evidence
that support and develop the position.
Level 2: Position is explained with claim(s), reasons and evidence.
Level 1: Position is minimally developed with little explanation of claim(s), reasons and
evidence.
Level 0: No evidence that supports one’s claim or position was provided.
Counter Claims:
This is where one acknowledges that a different opinion exists and attempts to show why it is not as valid and one’s original position/claim.
Level 4: Develops counterclaim(s) or alternate claims fairly and thoroughly with most important
evidence. Explains why counterclaim is less convincing than the claim.
Level 3: Develops counterclaim(s) or alternate claim(s) fairly with relevant evidence;
Explains why counter claim is less convincing than the claim.
Level 2: Makes note of a specific counterclaim, alternate claim, or counter-evidence.
Level 1: Demonstrates awareness of a counterclaim, alternate claim, or counter-evidence.
Level 0: No evidence of a counter claim was provided.
Organization:
This is where one simply has the chance to use proper paragraph form, sentence structure and grammar.
Level 4: Orders ideas and information within and across paragraphs and uses appropriate
transitional words/phrases in a way that clarifies the reasoning and logic of the argument. Conclusion clarifies, strengthens the position while raising credible implications.
Level 3: Orders ideas and information within and across paragraphs and uses appropriate
transitional words/phrases in a way that clarifies the reasoning and logic of the argument. Conclusion clarifies and strengthens the position.
Level 2: Orders ideas and information within and across paragraphs and uses appropriate
transitional words/phrases in a way that allows the audience to follow the argument.
Conclusion simply restates the position.
Level 1: Groups ideas and information through a basic use of paragraph structure and some
transitional words/ phrases; Conclusion detracts from or confuses the position.
Level 0: Essay shows no organization and/or sentence structure.