Name_________________________________ Team____________

POSITION PAPER: THE RUBRIC

CONTENT ALL PARAGRAPHS include the necessary information required to write a Position
& Paper
ORGANIZATION
INTRODUCTION Not Included Missing Elements Excellent

Hook
(Is there an attention- 0 3 5
grabber?)
Information
(Background on the topic 0 3 5
provided?)
Thesis
(Has the writer’s thesis been 0 3 5
considerably developed from
his/her initial opinion and
argument sentences?)
BODY PARAGRAPH 1
Evidence 0 5 10
(Sources included?)
Explanation 0 3 5
(At least a sentence-length
explanation of the source?)
Analysis
(Are there 1-3 sentences of
quality analysis that suggest 0 5 10
a relationship between the
writer’s source and his/her
opinion?)
BODY PARAGRAPH 2
Evidence 0 5 10
(See above)
Explanation 0 3 5
(See above)
Analysis 0 5 10
(See above)
BODY PARAGRAPH 3
Evidence
(See above) 0 5 10

Explanation 0 3 5
(See above)
Analysis 0 5 10
(See above)
BODY PARAGRAPH 4
Counter-Argument
(Does the counter-argument 0 5 10
follow the two-step
procedure by including a
valid thought and discrediting
statement?)
CONCLUSION
Restatement of Thesis
(Is the thesis statement 0 3 5
summarized in a new way?)
Final Thought
(Has the writer come to his/her 0 3 5
own sensible conclusion?
CRAFT Develops meaningful and persuasive points through word choice and other
techniques
Minimal or Not Included Needs Excellent and Well-Crafted
Improvement

Transitions 0 5 10
Credibility 0 5 10
Formal Tone 0 5 10

CONVENTIONS Writes according to grade-level conventions, mechanics, grammar, and spelling

Many Errors Some Errors Few/No Errors

Capitalization 0 3 5
Run-ons/Fragments 0 3 5
Parentheses/Ellipses/Dashes 0 3 5
Commas 0 3 5
Spelling 0 3 5

MLA FORMATTING Adheres to proper MLA formatting in terms of paper format, in-text
citations, and Works Cited
Many Errors Some Errors Few/No Errors

Formatting 0 5 10
(Please give MLA Cheat Sheet a
quick look for this section!)

In-Text Citations 0 3 5
Works Cited 0 3 5
Heading 0 3 5
ACCOUNTABILITY Takes responsibility in his/her work by including all elements of writing process
and turning in assignments on due dates
No Yes

ALL Drafts Included 0 10

Turned in ON Due Date 0 10

TOTAL SCORE: __________ / 200