Argumentative Essay Assignment Sheet—Outline—Rubric

The topic will be of student choosing; however, it shall be academic in nature in that you develop an educated discussion of an issue and not an item or object. The purpose of the argumentative essay must be clearly shown in the thesis, the body, and the conclusion.
Purpose of essay: The writer will write an argument (to convince audience) or persuasive (cause audience to act) essay by using three of the following methods: Description, Examples, Division and Classification, Compare and Contrast, Process Analysis, Cause and Effect or Definition. The ultimate purpose of the essay is convince the reader that they should agree with your position or that they should perform some course of action that you have suggested.
The body of this paper will consist of THREE MAJOR SECTIONS where each of the three types of support methods are clearly used to help support the argument that is being made by the writer. Obviously the writer will need to condense each section so that the paper stays within the required word count. Each section must be clearly linked to the purpose of the essay.

Issue Choices:  Academic Issues or on any current/enduring issues.
1200 words in length.
All MLA rules apply.
Minimum of 3 and Maximum of 6 sources.
Syllabus requirements as stated.
Written in Third Position
WARNING: Choose an aspect on a topic which can be thoroughly explained in this length of essay. If you pick something too big you will leave too many things out in order for it to be complete.

Introduction: (25pts)
1.      Grabber (7.5 pts) One to two sentences to engage the reader. Avoid naming the topic.
2.      Overview (7.5 pts) One to two sentences to give reader idea about the issue.
3.      Thesis (10 pts) Answer as many of the 5 W’s and H questions. At a MINIMUM, the thesis must clearly give direction as to what you are doing-why you are doing it and how you are doing it. Where-When-Who are additional aspects that may be applicable as well.

Body: (50)
Ensure each section/paragraph consists of a topic sentence, the general idea or focus of paragraph, the specific support being used and a concluding sentence that discusses the relevance to thesis.

Use of Logos-Ethos-Pathos within “EACH” method or “SECTION.”
Ensure each section has some form of transitional aspect as part of the topic sentence so that the reader understands that a new technique is going to be implemented.

Specific guidance is provided under the appropriate source method you choose. Please refer to the rubric in the document section.
LABELING IS CRUCIAL! If the method has no pre-determined shape you must identify it. For example, Definition has no defined shape so if you are defining by example-the label for that section would be Definition by example:.

Conclusion: (25)
1.      Restate main idea/thesis (8 pts)
2.      Summarize the (body of evidence/support) you explained and how they relate to thesis and how it proves your point. (8 pts)
3.      Look to future-offer suggestion-bold statement. (9 pts)

Content Score: _____

INTRODUCTION    VALUE
Grabber: One to two sentences to engage the reader. Avoid naming the topic.    7.5
Overview: One to two sentences to give reader idea about the issue.    7.5
Thesis     10
Total Introduction    25
SELECT THREE OF THE FOLLOWING  METHODS
ILLUSTRATION AND EXAMPLE
Purpose of the examples is clear.    4
Three examples are given and their relevancy explained.    9.66
The presentation or order of examples given are appropriate for the purpose.    3
16.66

DIVISION
Performs division (1 item into parts)    6
Arranged in an order that is appropriate for the purpose.    2
Make sense and achieves a sense of completeness related to the purpose.    2
Work toward proving the purpose/thesis of the essay.    6.66
16.66

CLASSIFICATION
Performs classification: two or more items placed into categories    6
Arranged in an order that is appropriate for the purpose.    2
Make sense and achieves a sense of completeness related to the purpose.    2
Work toward proving the purpose/thesis of the essay.    6.66
16.66

COMPARE & CONTRAST
Point by Point:
1.      Point 1 of comparison or contrast.    3
2.      Point 2 of comparison or contrast.    3
3.      Point 3 of comparison or contrast.    3
Work toward proving the purpose/thesis of the essay.    7.66
16.66
Subject by Subject:
1.      Subject 1 and discussion on three points.    5
2.      Subject 2 and discussion on three points.    5
Work toward proving the purpose/thesis of the essay.    6.66
16.66

PROCESS ANALYSIS
(1)   Are the steps adequate or complete to describe the process thoroughly?    4.66
(2)   Are the steps chronological-in the order by the way they occur or are completed?    3
(3)   Are the steps connected to the process?    4
(4)   Are unfamiliar terms or concepts defined?    2
(5)    Clearly indicated markers: First, Second, Next, the Last…etc.   Ensure clear topicsentences so movement between each step is clearly understood.    3
16.66
CAUSE & EFFECT
Begin with the cause and then move to the effects   OR   begin with an effect and then move to its causes.    4
(2)   Principle of order to list causes or effects- chronological-spatial-primary to secondary…etc.    2
(3)   Only primary causes or effects are provided.    2
(4)   Provide factual support where appropriate-do not rely solely on opinion.    6.66
(5)   Relationships between cause and effect are genuine.    2
16.66

DESCRIPTIVE
Give at least three descriptive examples of item being described.    4
Objective or subjective-not both    4
Organization based on sense(s) used.    4
Purpose for description is clear.    4.66
16.66

DEFINITION
Definition has no pre determined structure-you generally use one of the techniques to define, such as examples, narrative, compare and contrast…etc. If you use defining in your paper-label it as defining and then which technique you are using. For example: Defining (Examples). Scoring will be based upon the technique used and corresponding scoring listed here.

NARRATIVE
Purpose of the narrative is clear.    8
Appropriate point of view    4
Order: beginning-middle-end-chronological…etc.    4.66
16.66

CONCLUSION
(1) Restate main idea/thesis (8 pts)    8
2.      Summarize the (body of evidence/support) you explained and how they relate to thesis. (8 pts)    8
3.      Look to future-offer suggestion-bold statement. (9 pts)    9