Letter to the President Op-Ed Rubric 30 SUMMATIVE points

Categories Level 4 Level 3 Level 2 Level 1

Introduction
skillfully uses engaging
technique
Effectively
Claim / Thesis
establishes context and
builds towards claim
Text introduces a
7 points compelling claim that is
clearly arguable and
takes a purposeful
position on an issue (6 points)
(7 points)
Topic sentence
includes the
argument/claim.
Text strategically
Organization uses sophisticated
transitions
7 points Text has a logical
and strategic
progression of ideas (6 points)
Introduction uses
engaging technique
Adequately
establishes context and
builds toward claim
Text introduces a
precise claim that is
clearly arguable and
takes an identifiable
position on an issue.
(5 points)
Topic sentence
contains the
argument/claim.
Text skillfully uses
transitions
Text has a logical
progression of ideas
(5 points)
Lede attempts to Lede lacks attention grabber or
engage reader makes ineffective attempt at
Attempts to establish attention grabber
context and build toward a Little to no context is provided
claim Text contains an unclear or
Text introduces a emerging claim that suggest a
claim that is arguable and vague position
takes a position
(4 points)
Topic sentence Topic sentence is missing.
attempts to include an Text contains a few or limited
argument/claim. transitions
Text uses basic Ideas are disjointed and do not
transitions build logically
Text has adequate
progression of ideas
(4 points)

(7 points)
 Text presents an
engaging, formal and
objective tone
Text demonstrates
standard English
conventions of usage
Style / Conventions and mechanics including
comma rules
Essay follows MLA
6 points format
(5 points)
(6 points)
Development Essay includes at
least 3 direct quotations
from at least two
different sources.
Text thoroughly
and effectively
10 points develops all aspects of a
body paragraph
Text provides a
variety of
--- convincing and
relevant evidence to
back up the claim
AND
--- thoroughly and
effectively addresses
complexities of the issue
Text presents an
appropriate, formal
and objective tone
Essay follows MLA
format
(4.5 points)
Essay includes 3
direct quotations.
Text effectively
develops all aspects of a
body paragraph
Text provides
--- sufficient and
relevant evidence to
back up the claim
AND
--- adequately
addresses complexities
of the issue
Text identifies
--- the relationships
between the claim and
reasons as well as the
Text presents a formal
and objective tone
Text demonstrates
some standard English
conventions of usage and
mechanics including
Grammar Thursday
comma rules*
Essay follows MLA
format
(4 points)
Essay includes 2 direct
quotationsl.
Text adequately
develops all aspects of a
body paragraph
Text attempts
provides
--- relevant evidence to
back up the claim
AND
--- briefly addresses
complexities of the issue
Text connects
--- the claim and reasons
Conclusion ties to the
claim and evidence.
Implications might be
Text illustrates a limited
awareness of formal tone
Text demonstrates minimal
accuracy of standard English
conventions of usage and
mechanics including Grammar
Tuesday comma rules*
Essay does not follow MLA
format
Essay includes 1 or fewer
direct quotations.
Text attempts to develop all
aspects of a body paragraph
Text provides
--- limited evidence that
attempts to back up the claim
AND
--- unclearly addresses or lacks
complexities of the issue
Text attempts to connect
--- the claim and reasons
Conclusion merely restates the
claim -- or -- implications are
missing. NO call to action is
included.
 Text explains evidence unclear. (3 or fewer points)
--- the relationships Conclusion
between the claim and effectively reinforces (6-4 points)
reasons as well as the the claim and evidence
evidence by clearly stating the
Conclusion implications
strengthens the claim
and evidence by (8-7 points)
thoroughly discussing
the implications.
Includes a specific
call to action (solution,
addressing what the
President should do).
(10-9 points)