Argument Essay

Criteria

Outstanding

(23-25 pts)

Above Average

(20-22 pts)

Average

(17-19 pts)

Poor

(16 pts or less)

Content

The paper’s content; ensuring you have a coherent and convincing argument.

______ Pts.

The paper contains a fleshed-out topic, a convincing argument, properly utilizes rhetorical appeals, and introduces a counterclaim and promptly defeats it. It also uses outside sources to support the argument and flesh out the topic.

The paper contains the elements of a convincing argument but fails to utilize outside sources to support that argument. This makes the argument essentially one from personal experience.

The argument fails to fully utilize the three rhetorical strategies (pathos, ethos, and logos) to convince the reader. The argument or topic could also be unclear to the reader.

There is little to no argument in the paper, no outside sources, and/or the topic is not applicable to the assignment’s standards.

Organization

The organization of the paper; ensuring that your paper has flow and cohesiveness

_____ Pts.

Transitions between paragraphs are clear and it is obvious how they connect to build the argument.

Transitions were attempted, but the claims do not connect back to the main argument and/or paragraphs do not connect to each other.

The reader can insinuate a connection between claims/paragraphs, but actual transitions are not present.

There are no transitions in the paper and there is no true cohesion between points; the paragraphs and sentences feel random.

Grammar & Language

The grammar and word usage; ensuring that your paper is as free of grammatical missteps as possible

_____ Pts.

Paper is virtually free of grammatical errors. The writer shows a strong command of language and various sentence structures.

There are some grammatical errors and/or a lack of complex and compound sentences, but missteps do not detract from the content.

One or more consistent grammatical errors were present, and/or the writer relied on short and choppy sentences.

Frequent grammatical errors detracted from the readability of the paper. Run-on and sentence fragments were consistent throughout the paper.

Format

The format of the paper; ensuring that the paper meets MLA style standards and the page count minimum

_______ Pts.

Paper meets or exceeds page count requirements and correctly utilizes MLA style standards, including citations and the integration of sources.

Paper meets or exceeds page count requirements but has one to two MLA style missteps, including (but not limited to) citation missteps.

Paper is less than a page under the page count minimum and/or has no more than three MLA style missteps, including consistent missteps in citing.

Paper is more than a page under the page count minimum and/or has several MLA style mistakes, including consistent mistakes in citing sources.