CATEGORY

5 - Above Standards

4 - Meets Standards

3 - Approaching Standards

2-0 - Below Standards

Score

Position Statement

The position statement provides a clear, strong statement of the author's position on the topic.

The position statement provides a clear statement of the author's position on the topic.

A position statement is present, but does not make the author's position clear.

There is no position statement.

 

Support for Position

Includes 3 or more pieces of evidence (facts, statistics, examples, real-life experiences) that support the position statement. The writer anticipates the reader's concerns, biases or arguments and has provided at least 1 counter-argument.

Includes 3 or more pieces of evidence (facts, statistics, examples, real-life experiences) that support the position statement.

Includes 2 pieces of evidence (facts, statistics, examples, real-life experiences) that support the position statement.

Includes 1 or fewer pieces of evidence (facts, statistics, examples, real-life experiences).

 

Sequencing

Arguments and support are provided in a logical order that makes it easy and interesting to follow the author's train of thought.

Arguments and support are provided in a fairly logical order that makes it reasonably easy to follow the author's train of thought.

A few of the support details or arguments are not in an expected or logical order, distracting the reader and making the essay seem a little confusing.

Many of the support details or arguments are not in an expected or logical order, distracting the reader and making the essay seem very confusing.

 

Transitions

A variety of thoughtful transitions are used. They clearly show how ideas are connected

Transitions show how ideas are connected, but there is little variety

Some transitions work well, but some connections between ideas are fuzzy.

The transitions between ideas are unclear OR nonexistent.

 

Audience

Demonstrates a clear understanding of the potential reader and uses appropriate vocabulary and arguments. Anticipates reader's questions and provides thorough answers appropriate for that audience.

Demonstrates a general understanding of the potential reader and uses vocabulary and arguments appropriate for that audience.

Demonstrates some understanding of the potential reader and uses arguments appropriate for that audience.

It is not clear who the author is writing for.