CATEGORY

4 - Above Standards

3 - Meets Standards

2 - Approaching Standards

1 - Below Standards

Score

Position Statement

(10 pts)

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 the author's position clear.

There is no position statement.

Support for Position

(35 pts)

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).

Evidence and Examples

(25 pts)

All of the evidence and examples are specific, relevant and explanations are given that show how each piece of evidence supports the author's position.

Most of the evidence and examples are specific, relevant and explanations are given that show how each piece of evidence supports the author's position.

At least one of the pieces of evidence and examples is relevant and has an explanation that shows how that piece of evidence supports the author's position.

Evidence and examples are NOT relevant AND/OR are not explained.

Mechanics

(20 pts)

All sentences are well-constructed with varied structure. Author makes no errors in grammar or spelling that distract the reader from the content.

Most sentences are well-constructed and there is some varied sentence structure in the essay. Author makes 1-2 errors in grammar or spelling that distract the reader from the content.

Most sentences are well constructed, but there is no variation is structure. Author makes 3-4 errors in grammar or spelling that distract the reader from the content.

Most sentences are not well-constructed or varied. Author makes more than 4 errors in grammar or spelling that distract the reader from the content.

Sources

(10 pts)

All sources used for quotes, statistics and facts are credible and cited correctly.

All sources used for quotes, statistics and facts are credible and most are cited correctly.

Most sources used for quotes, statistics and facts are credible and cited correctly.

Many sources are suspect (not credible) AND/OR are not cited correctly.