ARGUMENTATIVE ESSAY RUBRIC
GRADE 8
Criteria Level 4:
Exceeding Standards
Focus & Essay maintains a clear,
Structure relevant and logical
organization. Essay is
organized into multiple
sections that creatively and
intelligently build up to
support a unique and
complex argument.
Introduction Introductory section
provides a strong opening,
context and a complex and
original thesis statement.
The thesis includes details
that preview the rest of the
essay.
Evidence Student supports their
thesis statement with
multiple clear and relevant
examples from credible
sources using quotes and
citations. Evidence
acknowledges and refutes
alternate or opposing points
of view using quotes and
citations.
Conclusion Essay provides a
concluding statement that
summarizes the major
points, explains their
significance, and builds to
new ideas and insights.
The conclusion continues
to use quotes and sources
to support its claims.
Style Uses strong words,
(Language transitional phrases and
Choice & complex sentences
Conventions) throughout. Grammatical
conventions are followed
successfully (95%
accuracy)
Level 3: Level 2: Level 1:
Meeting Standards Approaching Below Standards
Standards
Essay maintains a clear, Essay maintains a Essay does not
relevant and logical mostly clear and maintain a clear and
organization. Multiple logical organization. logical organization.
sections (groups of Simple paragraphs are Simple paragraphs
paragraphs) work used (rather than are used in a
together to form an multiple sections). disorganized
argument. manner.
Introductory section Introductory section Introductory section
provides a strong provides a strong contains some
opening, context and a opening, adequate context and an
thesis statement. The context and a clear unclear thesis
thesis includes details thesis statement. statement
that preview the rest of
the essay.
Student supports their Student supports their Student supports
thesis statement with thesis statement with their thesis
multiple clear and some clear and statement with few
relevant examples from relevant examples clear and relevant
credible sources using from credible sources examples from
quotes and citations. using quotes and credible sources
Evidence citations. Evidence using quotes and
acknowledges and attempts to citations. No
refutes alternate or acknowledge and alternate points are
opposing points of refute alternate or discussed.
view. opposing points of
view but does so
unclearly.
Essay provides a Essay provides mostly Essay provides
concluding statement summary and mostly summary
that summarizes the explanation but offers and offers little
major points, explains few new ideas and explanation and no
their significance, and insights. new ideas and
builds to new ideas and insights.
insights.
Frequently uses strong Sometimes uses Rarely uses strong
words, transitional strong words, words, transitional
phrases and complex transitional phrases phrases and
sentences. Grammatical
and complex complex sentences.
conventions are usually
followed with success sentences. Grammatical
(85% accuracy) Grammatical conventions are
conventions are rarely followed
sometimes followed (65% accuracy)
(75% accuracy)