Persuasive Essay

Criteria

Advanced (A- to A):

Satisfies criteria w/ excellence

Proficient (B- to B+) :

Satisfies Criteria

Developing (C- to C+):

Satisfies most criteria

Below Expectations (F to D+):

Does not satisfy criteria

Not Present

Points

Earned

Content: 70% = 105 pts

Thesis Statement

19–20 pts.

Thesis statement is clearly identifiable and strongly presented. It provides a clear overview of the paper’s contents.

17–18 pts.

Thesis statement is identifiable and presented. It provides an overview of the paper’s contents.

15–16 pts.

Thesis statement is identifiable but needs improvement.

1–14 pts.

Thesis statement is not identifiable and/or does not provide an overview of the paper’s contents.

0 points

Content

77-85 pts.

Components of paper clearly introduces topic to be addressed and provides detailed overview of essay contents. Paper shows strong transitions between paragraphs and sections with proper headings used. Treatment of topic is logically oriented and essay includes clear and concise arguments for stated position. Components of paper provide justified position/argument supported or supplemented with facts, quotes, and/or examples. Arguments in paper are supported with specific research documentation and major questions in assignment are clearly documented. Content of paper is proficiently detailed and provides a sufficient summary of issues treated in the essay with practical application.

68-76 pts.

Components of paper adequately introduces topic to be addressed and provides overview of essay contents. Paper shows transitions between paragraphs and sections with proper headings used. Treatment of topic is logically oriented and essay includes evidence of arguments for stated position. Components of paper explains position/argument supported or supplemented with facts, quotes, and/or examples. Arguments in paper are supported with specific research documentation and major questions in assignment are adequately documented. Content of paper is detailed and provides a strong summary of issues treated in the essay with practical application.

59-67 pts.

Components of paper provides rational introduction of topic to be addressed and includes some overview of essay contents. Paper shows transitions between paragraphs and sections with headings used. Treatment of topic are reasonably oriented and essay includes feasible arguments for stated position. Components of paper include sound position/argument supported or supplemented with facts, quotes, and/or examples. Arguments in paper are supported with specific research documentation and major questions in assignment are clearly documented. Content of paper is adequate and provides reasonable summary of issues treated in the essay with practical application.

1-58 pts.

Components of paper minimally introduces topic to be addressed and provides little to no detailed overview of essay contents. Paper shows weak transitions between paragraphs and sections and no headings used. Treatment of topic is vague and essay includes inconsistent arguments for stated position. Paper does not justify position/argument with facts, quotes, and/or examples with resources. Paper has little to no questions in assignment. Content of paper provides insufficient summary of issues treated in the essay without clear practical application.

0 points

Structure: 30% = 45 pts

Organization

19–20 pts.

All required elements are included and presented with strong headings and organizational clarity. There are clear transitions between paragraphs and sections. The treatment of the topic is logically oriented. The paper meets the page length requirement.

17–18 pts.

All required elements are included and organized.

There are transitions between paragraphs and sections. The treatment of the topic is logically oriented. The paper meets the page length requirement or comes very close.

15–16 pts.

Most required elements are included and are mostly organized. Most paragraphs and sections have transitions. The logical treatment of the topic needs improvement. The paper may not meet the page length requirement.

1–14 pts.

Few or no required elements are included. Few or no transitions exist between paragraphs and sections. There may not be a logical treatment of the topic. The paper does not meet the page length requirement.

0 points

Style

19–20 pts.

The paper properly uses current APA style. Proper headings, in-text citations, and references are formatted correctly. The paper reflects a graduate level voice and vocabulary. There are very few spelling and grammar errors.

17–18 pts.

The paper consistently uses current APA style with few or no exceptions. Proper headings, in-text citations, and references are formatted with few or no errors. The paper reflects a graduate level voice and vocabulary. There are few spelling and grammar errors.

15–16 pts.

The paper inconsistently uses APA style. Headings, in-text citations, and references are inconsistently formatted. The paper does not consistently reflect a graduate level voice and vocabulary. There are spelling and grammar errors.

1–14 pts.

The paper erroneously uses or does not use APA style. Headings, in-text citations, and references are erroneously formatted or not present. The paper does not reflect a graduate level voice and vocabulary. There are spelling and grammar errors.

0 points

Sources

5 pts.

The Reference page meets or exceeds the required number of sources. All sources are referenced throughout the paper.

3-4 pts.

The Reference page meets the required number of sources. Most sources are referenced throughout the paper.

2 pts.

The Reference page does not meet the required number of sources. Not all sources are referenced throughout the paper.

1 pt.

The Reference page is not present or contains few sources. Not enough sources are referenced throughout the paper, or none are referenced.

0 points

Total

Instructor’s comments: