Debate Essay (Secondary Source Argumentative Essay)

Criteria

Achievement Level
Achievement
Below Level
1
0 to 49

Understanding of
essay structure
(introduction,
thesis,
arguments,
analysis,
conclusion)

(25% Weighting)
Critical thinking
skills
Arguments
Evidence
Analysis
(25% Weighting)

Achievement
Level 1
50-59

Achievement
Level 2
60 - 69

Shows very
limited
understanding
of structure

Shows limited
understanding of
structure

Shows some
understanding of
essay structure

Arguments
support thesis
with little to no
effectiveness

Arguments support
thesis with limited
effectiveness

Evidence
supports
arguments with
little to no
effectiveness
Analysis
demonstrates
little to no
relationship
between
evidence,
argument, and
thesis

Communication
using formal
essay structure
(third person, no
contractions,
mature
vocabulary,
appropriate
paragraphing,
appropriate
incorporation of
quotations/eviden
ce)
(25% Weighting)
Application of
language
conventions:
comma rules,
independent/
dependent clause
rules, and other
grade level
conventions
MLA works cited
list and in-text

Evidence supports
arguments with
limited
effectiveness
Analysis
demonstrates a
limited relationship
between evidence,
argument, and
thesis

Arguments
support thesis with
some
effectiveness
Evidence supports
arguments with
some
effectiveness
Analysis
demonstrates
somewhat of a
relationship
between evidence,
argument, and
thesis

Achievement
Level 3
70 - 79

Achievement
Level 4
80 to 100

Shows considerable
understanding of
structure

Shows thorough
understanding of
essay structure

Arguments support
thesis with
considerable
effectiveness

Arguments support
thesis with a high
degree of
effectiveness

Evidence supports
arguments with
considerable
effectiveness

Evidence supports
arguments with a
high degree of
effectiveness

Analysis
demonstrates a
considerable
relationship
between evidence,
argument, and
thesis

22.5

23

Analysis
demonstrates a
thorough
relationship
between evidence,
argument, and
thesis

Communicates
formality with
little to no
effectiveness.

Communicates
formality with
limited
effectiveness

Communicates
formality with
some
effectiveness

Communicates
formality with
considerable
effectiveness

Communicates
formality with a high
degree of
effectiveness

Uses language
conventions
with very
limited
accuracy &
effectiveness.
Errors prevent
readers
understanding.

Uses language
conventions with
limited accuracy &
effectiveness.
Errors often distract
from meaning.

Uses language
conventions with
some accuracy &
effectiveness.
Errors
occasionally
distract from
meaning.

Uses language
conventions with
considerable
accuracy &
effectiveness. Minor
errors but do not
distract from
meaning.

Uses language
conventions with a
high degree of
accuracy &
effectiveness. Little
to no errors.

MLA citations,

Total

25

23

citations
(25% Weighting)

format, and
Works Cited
page (not
used at all)
contain many
errors

MLA citations,
format, and Works
Cited page (not
used at all) contain
many errors

MLA citations,
format, and Works
Cited page contain
some errors

MLA citations,
format, and Works
Cited page are
mostly correct

MLA citations,
format, and Works
Cited page do not
contain any errors

Megan, you have a clear introduction and thesis statement. You've followed the essay structure
very well.
However,
In your thesis, list the arguments in the order that you will discuss them.
The third argument is good but not as clear as the other two.
Nonetheless, this was a very well written essay!