Argumentative Rubric
Weight
Ideas
Organization
Word Choice
Sentence Fluency and
Voice
Conventions
Focused on a strong central
claim or thesis, clear purpose,
and an understanding of the
audience
Unified structure, effective
organization, and strong
transitions
Precise, rich language that
expresses ideas and engages
the reader
Rhythmic and flowing
language, varied sentences,
and a unique perspective with
ideas and details that appeal
to the audience
Mechanical and grammatical
accuracy
20%
20%
20%
20%
20%
6
Exceptional
Well-developed claim using a wide
variety of relevant supporting
reasoning, evidence, and concrete
details appropriate to the prompt,
task, purpose, and audience
Exceptional
Cohesive structure that is easy for the
reader to follow; an engaging
introduction; a strong conclusion; and
strong, effective transitions
Exceptional
Precise language with a variety of
powerful and engaging words, wellstructured and varied sentences, and
excellent use of specific words and
academic vocabulary
Exceptional
Extremely clear, natural, and flowing
sentences with strong variation in
length and structure; writing that
shows a distinct personality; and style
that is very well matched to the topic
Exceptional
Few or no errors in grammar,
mechanics, punctuation, and spelling
5
Experienced
Clearly developed claim with
sufficient use of relevant supporting
reasoning, evidence, and details that
are largely appropriate to the prompt,
task, purpose, and audience
Experienced
Mostly cohesive structure that is fairly
easy for the reader to follow, a good
introduction and conclusion, and
consistent and varied transitions
Experienced
Lively language with a variety of
engaging words, well-structured and
varied sentences, and good use of
specific words and academic
vocabulary
Experienced
Clear, natural, and flowing sentences
with good variation in length and
structure; writing that shows
personality; and style that is well
matched to the topic
Experienced
Few errors in grammar, mechanics,
punctuation, and spelling that do not
affect the writing significantly
Capable
Adequately developed claim with
sufficient use of relevant supporting
reasoning, evidence, and details
somewhat appropriate to the prompt,
task, purpose, and audience
Developing
Briefly developed claim with
inconsistent or insufficient use of
supporting reasoning and evidence
with limits in appropriateness to the
prompt, task, purpose, and audience
Emerging
Suggested claim but demonstration of
minimal understanding of the prompt,
purpose, and audience; few parts of
the task completed
Capable
Generally cohesive structure with a
clear introduction and conclusion, and
some use of transitions
Capable
Interesting language with some
variation of words; structured,
somewhat varied sentences; and
adequate use of specific words and
academic vocabulary
Developing
Ordinary language with insufficient
variety, simple sentences with little
variation, and some use of specific
words and academic vocabulary
Capable
Easy-to-follow sentences with some
variation in length and structure,
writing that shows limited personality,
and style that is appropriate to the
topic
Developing
Varied sentences that still need better
flow, variation, and structure; writing
that shows little personality; and style
that is not well suited to the purpose
Capable
Some errors in grammar, mechanics,
punctuation, and spelling that do not
affect the writing significantly
Beginning
No paragraph structure or cohesion,
an unclear introduction and/or
conclusion, and no transitions
Emerging
Sentences that are too simple or
incomplete, choppy writing, writing
that shows unclear and inconsistent
personality, and style that is
inappropriate
Beginning
Incomplete or incorrect sentences
containing errors and little or no
structure, writing that shows no
personality, and a lack of
understanding of style
Emerging
Consistent errors in grammar,
mechanics, punctuation, and spelling
that significantly interfere with the
writing
Beginning
Underdeveloped or missing claim;
little supporting evidence; and details
that are inappropriate to the prompt,
task, purpose, and audience
Emerging
Uninteresting language, no variation
in word choice, simple sentences with
no variation, and infrequent use of
specific words and academic
vocabulary
Beginning
Vague language with general and
repetitive words, simple sentences
with no variation, and specific words
or academic vocabulary not used
4
3
2
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Developing
Some elements of structure with
limited coherence, an adequate
introduction and conclusion, and
inconsistent transitions
Emerging
Little paragraph structure and
cohesiveness, a poor introduction and
conclusion, and few transitions
Developing
Errors in grammar, mechanics,
punctuation, and spelling that cause
confusion
Beginning
Severe errors in grammar, mechanics,
punctuation, and spelling that make
the writing unclear
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