Argumentative Essay Evaluation

My evaluation of The Faceless Teacher by Dennis Gardner


Argumentative Essay Rubric

	4	3	2	1
Introduction	The introductory paragraph has a strong hook or attention grabber that is appropriate for the audience. The position statement (thesis) provides a clear, strong statement of the author's position on the topic.	The introductory paragraph has a hook or attention grabber, but it is weak, rambling or inappropriate for the audience. The position statement (thesis) provides a clear, strong statement of the author's position on the topic.	The author has an interesting introductory paragraph but the connection to the topic is not always clear. The position statement (thesis) of the author's position on the topic is weak.	The introductory paragraph is not interesting AND is not relevant to the topic. The position statement (thesis) is missing or not clear.
Support for Position	Includes 2 or more pieces of evidence that support the position statement and all are specific, relevant and show how each piece of evidence supports the author's position.	Includes 1 to 2 pieces of evidence that support the position statement and most are specific, relevant and show how each piece of evidence supports the author's position	Includes 1 piece of evidence that supports the position statement and is relevant to show how that piece of evidence supports the author's position.	Includes 1 or fewer pieces of evidence that is NOT relevant AND/OR not explained.
Refutation	Opposing argument is identified and clear. Refutation is very clear and concise in refuting opponent's point of view.	Opposing argument is identified and clear. Refutation is moderately clear and concise in refuting opponent's point of view.	Opposing argument is identified, but unclear. Refutation is weak and general in refuting opponent's point of view.	Refutation is not recognizable or non-existent.
Sequencing	Arguments and support are provided in a logical order that makes it easy and interesting to follow the author's train of thought.	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.
Conclusion	The conclusion is strong and leaves the reader solidly understanding the writer's position. Effective restatement of the position statement begins the closing paragraph.	The conclusion is recognizable. The author's position is restated within the first two sentences of the closing paragraph.	The author's position is restated within the closing paragraph, but not near the beginning.	There is no conclusion - the paper just ends.
Voice	The author seems to be writing from knowledge or experience. The author has taken the ideas and made them "his own."	The author seems to be drawing on knowledge or experience, but there is some lack of ownership of the topic.	The author relates some of his own knowledge or experience, but it adds nothing to the discussion of the topic.	The author has not tried to transform the information in a personal way. The ideas and the way they are expressed seem to belong to someone else.
Grammar, Mechanics and Spelling	The author makes no errors in grammar or spelling that distract the reader from the content.	The author makes 1-2 errors in grammar or spelling that distract the reader from the content.	The author makes 3-4 errors in grammar or spelling that distract the reader from the content.	The author makes more than 4 errors in grammar or spelling that distract the reader from the content.

Introduction: 4

Support for Position: 4

Refutation: 3

Sequencing: 4

Conclusion: 4

Voice: 4

Grammar, Mechanics and Spelling: 4

Total: 27/28