Persuasive Research Essay Rubric Total Score out of 50 points:

Persuasive Research Essay Rubric

SCORE

TRAITS

(10 POINTS)

CLEAR, WELL ORGANIZED, WELL DEVELOPED IDEAS

 Main idea (thesis) is clear and specific.

 Each paragraph has a clear topic and concluding sentence;

content is appropriate.

 Topic sentences in body paragraphs clearly relate to main

idea (thesis); depth of content is appropriate.

 Supporting details clearly relate to topic sentences; concrete

detail/commentary used well.

 Reader concerns and counter arguments (cons) are

anticipated and addressed if appropriate.

 Transitions are used effectively.

 Introduction, body, conclusion provide logical sequencing of

ideas, leading to understandable opinion that convinces or

persuades reader to accept a particular point of view or

take a specific action.

(10 POINTS)

WRITING STYLE

 Varied sentence patterns (intro. participial phrase, appositive

phrase, intro. adv. clause, intro. prep. phrase, two independent

clauses separated by semicolon, etc.)

 Word choice includes strong verbs.

 Vague, overused, repetitive language is avoided (a lot, very,

great, really, there is, there are, etc.).

 Vocabulary choice is interesting and thoughtful.

 Passive voice and be verbs are not overused.

 Simile, metaphor, and personification are included.

(10 POINTS)

GRAMMAR, USAGE, MECHANICS

 No run-on sentences

 No sentence fragments

 Pronoun/antecedent agreement

 No use of I, you, me, my, your, myself, yourself

 Subject/verb agreement; correct verb tense usage

 Punctuation is correct; capitalization is correct.

 Spelling is error free; no contractions are used.

(10 POINTS)

MLA DOCUMENTATION / PLAGIARISM

 Information from bibliography sources is cited properly.

 All paraphrased information except "common" or

"general" knowledge is cited parenthetically.

 All quotations are cited parenthetically.

 Text is in the student's own words; paper is typed.

(10 POINTS)

RESEARCH REQUIREMENTS

 Appropriate sources were used.

 Bibliography card format is correct.

 Research notes are highlighted (or underlined) on

photocopies of source OR are on notecards.

 Outline data is logical and clear; outline is correct.

 Title page is in proper form.

 Works Cited Page is in proper form; 5 or more citations

have been made in the body of the paper.

Total Score out of 50 points: _______________