European Common Framework Tested: B2

Target: Demonstrates the ability to write an essay or report which develops an

argument systematically with appropriate highlighting of significant points and relevant
supporting detail (Council of Europe, 2007, p.62).
Directions: Read the prompts provided below that are focused on national social
cohesion. Then write an essay with five to six paragraphs that addresses one of those
prompts that is no more than two pages in length. Your essay must include an
introduction in which you state the opinion that you will prove in your essay and briefly
mention the arguments you will expand on in supporting paragraphs. You must also
support your position in two to three paragraphs within the paper. You must also
address one counterargument to your position, or an argument for the opposite side
and discuss its validity in a single paragraph. You must also include a conclusion which
summarizes the points that you made.
Your essays will be graded on grammar, diction, strength of arguments, and
organization. There will be more emphasis on strength of argument and organization in
the scoring of your paper.

Essay Components and Length

Component
Introduction

Supporting Arguments
Acknowledgement of
Counterargument
Conclusion

Length
One Paragraph that
includes the thesis
statement.
Two to three paragraphs
One Paragraph
One Paragraph

Prompts:
Serving ones country, including military and volunteer service, is an important
part of citizenship and promotes a sense of camaraderie among citizens in a
country. Should young adults be required to perform national service, including
military or volunteer work, before starting college to help them mature as

individuals and citizens? Why or why not?

In countries with declining birthrates, or having less babies born every year to
maintain their population, should more social services be provided to elderly
people who are the most populous or young people who are more able to have
children? Why should the group you choose be given more support?
Often there is a conflict between people want to incorporate new ideas and
technology and those who want to stick to traditional ways of doing things. Those
who want to embrace new things feel that doing so will solve problems in a
society that were caused by the way things are done today. Those who prefer
tradition feel that tradition binds people together through shared experience and
creates an identity. Which perspective do you agree with more? Why do you
agree?
The schedule for writing the paper is as follows:

End of Week One: Outline Due

End of Week Two: Revise outline based on feedback.
End of Week Three: Rough Draft Due
End of Week Four: Revise Rough Draft based on feedback
End of Week Five: Final Paper Due

Scoring:
Rubric

Grammar

Grammatical forms
used in the
responses are
always consistent
with accepted
patterns of writing
in the English
language. No
major errors in
grammar or syntax.

Grammatical forms
used in the
responses are
usually consistent
with accepted
patterns of writing
in the English
language, but there
are a few
noticeable errors.
Few to no major
errors in grammar

Grammatical
patterns are
partially consistent
with accepted
patterns of patterns
of written English
language. Several
very noticeable
grammatical errors
are present.

Grammatical
patterns are rarely
or not consistent
with accepted
patterns of written
English. Multiple,
highly visible
grammatical errors
are present.

or syntax.

Vocabulary/Diction

Organization

The word choice

for the
announcement is
appropriate and
reflects normal
diction in an
Anglophone
country. The
idioms and words
used are correct in
the context of the
speech.

The word choice

for the
announcement is
generally
appropriate and
usually reflects
normal diction in
an Anglophone
country with a few
exceptions. The
idioms and words
are mostly used
correctly in the
context of the
speech.

The word choice

for the
announcement is
partially
appropriate and
occasionally
reflects normal
diction in an
Anglophone
country with a
several noticeable
issues. The idioms
and words are
occasionally used
correctly in the
context of the
speech.

The word choice

for the
announcement is
not appropriate and
does not reflect
normal diction in an
Anglophone
country. The
idioms and words
are rarely used
correctly in the
context of the
speech or not at
all.

The response is
logically organized
into paragraphs.
There is a logical
connection
between sentences
within a paragraph.
Each paragraph,
except the
introduction, clearly
connects to the
previous paragraph
or paragraphs for
the conclusion. The
introduction clearly
states the
argument that the
speaker intends to
prove.

The response is
organized into
paragraphs. There
is usually a logical
connection
between sentences
within a paragraph.
Each paragraph,
except the
introduction,
connects to the
previous paragraph
or paragraphs for
the conclusion, but
the connection is
not always
obvious. The
introduction states
the argument that
the speaker
intends to prove,
but it may not be
immediately clear
on the first reading.

The response is
rarely organized
into paragraphs.
There is rarely a
logical connection
between sentences
within a paragraph.
Paragraphs, except
the introduction,
connects to the
previous paragraph
or paragraphs for
the conclusion,
usually do not
connect with one
another. It is not
clear what the
speakers
argument is from
the introduction.

The response is
not organized into
paragraphs. There
is no logical
connection
between
sentences. It is
difficult to
understand where
argument begins
and another
argument ends.

Strength of
Arguments

The position that

the paper takes is
clear,
understandable,
and supported in
the appropriate
paragraphs. Points
in favor of the
position are well
thought out and
clearly related to
the prompt. The
student has taken
the time to consider
a counterargument
and acknowledges
that point with
equal thought as
the supporting
paragraphs.

Scoring Sheet
Category

Scoring

Strength of
Arguments
Organization

____/ 6

Grammar

____/ 4

Vocabulary/Diction

____/ 4

Total

____/20

____/ 6

The position that

the paper takes is
mostly
understandable,
and supported in
the appropriate
paragraphs. Points
in favor of the
position are
generally well
thought out and
are usually related
to the prompt.
A few thoughts
may require
clarification. The
student has taken
some time to
consider a
counterargument
and acknowledges
it with less thought
than the supporting
paragraphs.

The position that

the paper takes is
partially
understandable,
and occasionally
supported in the
appropriate
paragraphs. Points
in favor of the
position are
present but not
developed clearly.
Several thoughts
may require
clarification. The
student took little
time to consider a
counterargument
and acknowledges
it with significantly
less thought than
the supporting
paragraphs.

The position that

the paper takes is
barely
understandable,
and rarely
supported in the
appropriate
paragraphs. Points
in favor of the
position not are
present or
developed clearly.
Most thoughts may
require clarification.
The student took
no time to consider
a counterargument
and does not
acknowledge it.