SHS Persuasive Writing Rubric

CRITERIA	5	4.5	4	3.5	3	2
Ideas / X ___=____	The position is convincingly presented and supported, compelling the reader to act.	The position is clear; all reasons and evidence effectively support the argument.	Most of the reasons presented support the writer’s position.	The position should be more clearly stated; more supporting reasons are needed.	The position is unclear. Better support for the position must be provided.	A new position statement and reasons are necessary.
Organization / X ___=____	All parts of the essay work together to build a thoughtful, convincing argument. Transitions are strong.	The opening states the position, the middle provides clear support, and the ending reinforces the position. Parts are connected by apt transitions.	Most parts of the essay are organized adequately except for one part. Transitions could be stronger.	Several parts of the essay need to be reorganized into separate paragraphs with transitions.	The beginning, middle, and ending are not effectively separated.	The organization is unclear and incomplete.
Voice / X ___=____	The writer’s voice is completely confident, knowledgeable, and convincing.	The writer’s voice is persuasive, knowledgeable, and respectful.	The writer’s voice is confident but needs to sound more knowledgeable or respectful.	The writer’s voice needs to be more persuasive and respectful.	The writer’s voice lacks confidence and sounds too emotional and unconvincing.	The writer has not considered the role of voice in persuasive writing.
Word Choice / X ___=____	The writer’s chooses words that are powerful, precise, engaging, and persuasive.	The writer chooses words that effectively persuade the reader.	The writer avoids unnecessary modifiers but needs to use variety in diction.	The writer needs to choose more precise words and avoid repetition and overused modifiers.	The words chosen do not create a clear message.	The writer has not contemplated word choice for persuasive writing.
Syntax / X ___=____	The sentences are clear, concise, varied, and engaging.	The sentences are clear and varied in type and beginnings.	Variety is evident in most of the sentences.	More variety is needed in the beginnings and/or kinds of sentences.	Most sentences begin the same way and are simple.	The essay’s sentences lack fluency.
Conventions / X ___=____	The essay is completely free of writing errors.	The essay contains few errors in grammar and punctuation, and these errors are not distracting for the reader.	The essay contains errors that are distracting for the reader.	The essay contains a number of errors that cause confusion.	Frequent errors in grammar and punctuation make the essay difficult to read.	Nearly every sentence in the essay contains errors in grammar and punctuation.
____/____	SCORE