Argumentative Writing Rubric Grades 11-12 (based on the Kentucky Writing Scoring Rubric and KCAS)
Does Not Meet Standard / Approaches Standard / Meets Standard / Exceeds StandardCONTENT
Purpose and Audience; Idea Development and Support
The writing:¨ Lacks argumentative purpose
¨ Lacks awareness of audience
¨ Lacks idea development; may provide random details / The writing:
¨ Attempts to establish a general argument; lacks focus
¨ Indicates a limited awareness of audience’s needs; tone may be inappropriate; relationship of components of argument to others may be unclear
¨ Demonstrates limited idea development with little evidence and/or weak support / The writing:
¨ Attempts to establish an argument by introducing a claim; may attempt to establish significance of the claim; some lapses in focus
¨ Indicates some awareness of audience’s needs by attempting to: establish objective tone; anticipate audience’s knowledge level, concerns, values, and possible biases; distinguish claim from alternate or opposing claims; point out strengths and limitations of evidence; clarify relationships among components of the argument
¨ Demonstrates some idea development; evidence and reasoning may be insufficient and/or irrelevant; ideas may be unelaborated / The writing:
¨ Establishes argument by introducing precise, knowledgeable claim; establishes significance of the claim; maintains focus throughout
¨ Indicates an awareness of audience’s needs by establishing an objective tone; anticipating audience’s knowledge level, concerns, values, and possible biases; distinguishing claims from alternate or opposing claim(s); pointing out strengths and limitations of evidence; clarifying relationships among components of the argument
¨ Demonstrates depth of idea development by analyzing substantive topic or text; using valid reasoning and sufficient evidence; developing claim(s) and counterclaims fairly and thoroughly; supplying the most relevant evidence for each claims and counterclaims / The writing:
¨ Establishes strong argument by introducing precise, knowledgeable and insightful claim; establishes the significance of the claim; maintains focus throughout
¨ Indicates strong awareness of audience’s needs by establishing objective tone; anticipating audience’s knowledge level, concerns, values, and possible biases; distinguishing claims from opposing claim(s); pointing out strengths and limitations of evidence; clarifying relationships among components of the argument
¨ Demonstrates analytical and/or insightful idea development of substantive topic or text; provides specific, thorough support using valid reasoning and specific evidence; develops claim(s) and counterclaims fairly and thoroughly; supplies the most relevant evidence for each claim(s) and counterclaims
Does Not Meet Standard / Approaches Standard / Meets Standard / Exceeds Standard
STRUCTURE
Organization: unity and coherence; Sentences: structure and length
The writing:¨ Demonstrates random organization
¨ Lacks transitional elements
¨ Demonstrates incorrect sentence structure throughout / The writing:
¨ Demonstrates ineffective or weak organization among components of the argument; may attempt to provide a supporting concluding section
¨ Demonstrates limited or ineffective words, phrases, or clauses to link sections of the text
¨ Demonstrates ineffective or incorrect sentence structure / The writing:
¨ Demonstrates logical organization with lapses in coherence among components of the argument; provides concluding section that attempts to support the argument presented
¨ Uses some effective words, phrases, clauses, and/or varied syntax to link sections of the text
¨ Demonstrates simple sentences; may attempt more complex sentences but lacks overall control of sentence structure / The writing:
¨ Demonstrates cohesive organization that logically sequences components of the argument; provides concluding section that follows from and supports the argument presented
¨ Uses effective words, phrases, clauses, and varied syntax to link major sections of the text
¨ Demonstrates control and variety in sentence structure / The writing:
¨ Demonstrates carful, and/or subtle organization that logically sequences the components of the argument; provides a concluding section that follows from and supports the argument presented
¨ Uses varied and subtle words, phrases, clauses, and varied syntax to link major sections of the text
¨ Demonstrates control, variety, and complexity of sentence structure to enhance meaning.
Does Not Meet Standard / Approaches Standard / Meets Standard / Exceeds Standard
CONVENTIONS
Language: grammar and usage, word choice; Correctness: spelling, punctuation, capitalization, abbreviation and documentation
The writing:¨ Demonstrates lack of control in grammar and usage; writing style is informal
¨ Demonstrates incorrect or ineffective word choice
¨ Demonstrates lack of control in correctness; does not apply conventions of discipline in which student is writing / The writing:
¨ Demonstrates some control of grammar and usage with some errors that do not interfere with communication; may attempt a formal writing style
¨ Demonstrates simplistic and/or imprecise word choice
¨ Demonstrates some control of correctness with some errors that do not interfere with communication; may attempt to apply conventions of discipline in which student is writing / The writing:
¨ Demonstrates control of grammar and usage relative to length and complexity; establishes and maintains a formal writing style
¨ Demonstrates acceptable word choice appropriate for audience and purpose
¨ Demonstrates control of correctness relative to length and complexity; attends to the norms and conventions of discipline in which student is writing / The writing:
¨ Demonstrates control of grammar and usage to enhance meaning; establishes and maintains a formal writing style throughout
¨ Demonstrates accurate, rich and/or precise word choice appropriate for audience and purpose
¨ Demonstrates control of correctness to enhance communication; attends to norms and conventions of discipline in which student is writing
On this rubric, “components of the argument” means “claim(s),” “counterclaims,” “reasons,” and “evidence.”