Science Argumentative Writing Scoring Rubric

Write arguments to support claims in an analysis of substantive topics or texts, using valid reason and relevant and sufficient evidence.
Poor Developing Meeting
Introduction Introduction is not a complete thought or Introduction does not outline the claim, Introduction is engaging and outlines the
is missing. counterclaim, reasons and evidence. ideas of the writing.
Claim Claim is not present or it does not address A general claim is present. Acknowledges A precise developed claim is present.
(Takes a Position) relevance/significance of the topic. A the relevance but does not explain the Explains the relevancy and importance of
convincing argument is not made. importance of the topic. the topic.
Counterclaim Counterclaim is not present or irrelevant. There is not a clear distinction between Explains the strengths and limitations of a
(Addresses the claim and counterclaim. Some minor distinguished relevant counterclaim.
alternatives) errors are present in the counterclaim.
Evidence Specific reasoning for the claim is not Some reasons are more supported than Claim is well-supported. Evidence is
(Develops ideas stated. Evidence is wrong, repetitive or others. Evidence has minor mistakes and relevant, accurate and thoroughly
with examples) irrelevant. is not explained in detail. explained.
Science Content/ The topic is not developed and contains The topic is explained, but minor mistakes Accurate scientific information is included
Background major mistakes. are made. throughout the writing.
Vocabulary Science vocabulary is not used correctly. Science vocabulary is used with minor Uses a variety of science vocabulary
mistakes in their definitions. correctly.
Style and Formal style is not present. Complete Formal style is inconsistent. Complete Formal style reflects an objective tone.
Organization sentences are not used. There is no sentences are used but informal language Creates a logical structure with complete
specific focus. There are major is present. Main ideas are clear, but stray sentences and paragraphs. Focus is
grammatical mistakes. There are no from the claim. Some grammatical always on the claim. Grammar is used
transitions between ideas. There is no mistakes are made. Transitions are used correctly. Transitions clarify relationships.
clarity in the writing. but do not connect ideas.
Concluding No concluding statement present that Provides a sense of closure. Concluding Concluding statement supports the
Statement summarizes the argument. statement is present but the statement argument and major ideas are developed.
does not reflect the argument presented. Statements are not repeated and
implications explained.
Sources No reference list provided. Reference lists is in APA format with minor Reference list is in APA format and in-text
mistakes. citations are included in the body.
2 Things you did well on: 2 Things you need to work on:
 Science Argumentative Writing Scoring Rubric
Write arguments to support claims in an analysis of substantive topics or texts, using valid reason and relevant and sufficient evidence.
Poor Developing Meeting
Introduction Introduction is not a complete thought or Introduction does not outline the claim, Introduction is engaging and outlines the
is missing. counterclaim, reasons and evidence. ideas of the writing.
Claim Claim is not present or it does not address A general claim is present. Acknowledges A precise developed claim is present.
(Takes a Position) relevance/significance of the topic. A the relevance but does not explain the Explains the relevancy and importance of
convincing argument is not made. importance of the topic. the topic.
Counterclaim Counterclaim is not present or irrelevant. There is not a clear distinction between Explains the strengths and limitations of a
(Addresses the claim and counterclaim. Some minor distinguished relevant counterclaim.
alternatives) errors are present in the counterclaim.
Evidence Specific reasoning for the claim is not Some reasons are more supported than Claim is well-supported. Evidence is
(Develops ideas stated. Evidence is wrong, repetitive or others. Evidence has minor mistakes and relevant, accurate and thoroughly
with examples) irrelevant. is not explained in detail. explained.
Science Content/ The topic is not developed and contains The topic is explained, but minor mistakes Accurate scientific information is included
Background major mistakes. are made. throughout the writing.
Vocabulary Science vocabulary is not used correctly. Science vocabulary is used with minor Uses a variety of science vocabulary
mistakes in their definitions. correctly.
Style and Formal style is not present. Complete Formal style is inconsistent. Complete Formal style reflects an objective tone.
Organization sentences are not used. There is no sentences are used but informal language Creates a logical structure with complete
specific focus. There are major is present. Main ideas are clear, but stray sentences and paragraphs. Focus is
grammatical mistakes. There are no from the claim. Some grammatical always on the claim. Grammar is used
transitions between ideas. There is no mistakes are made. Transitions are used correctly. Transitions clarify relationships.
clarity in the writing. but do not connect ideas.
Concluding No concluding statement present that Provides a sense of closure. Concluding Concluding statement supports the
Statement summarizes the argument. statement is present but the statement argument and major ideas are developed.
does not reflect the argument presented. Statements are not repeated and
implications explained.
Sources No reference list provided. Reference lists is in APA format with minor Reference list is in APA format and in-text
mistakes. citations are included in the body.
2 Things you did well on: 2 Things you need to work on:
 Science Argumentative Writing Scoring Rubric
Write arguments to support claims in an analysis of substantive topics or texts, using valid reason and relevant and sufficient evidence.
Poor Developing Meeting
Introduction Introduction is not a complete thought or Introduction does not outline the claim, Introduction is engaging and outlines the
is missing. counterclaim, reasons and evidence. ideas of the writing.
Claim Claim is not present or it does not address A general claim is present. Acknowledges A precise developed claim is present.
(Takes a Position) relevance/significance of the topic. A the relevance but does not explain the Explains the relevancy and importance of
convincing argument is not made. importance of the topic. the topic.
Counterclaim Counterclaim is not present or irrelevant. There is not a clear distinction between Explains the strengths and limitations of a
(Addresses the claim and counterclaim. Some minor distinguished relevant counterclaim.
alternatives) errors are present in the counterclaim.
Evidence Specific reasoning for the claim is not Some reasons are more supported than Claim is well-supported. Evidence is
(Develops ideas stated. Evidence is wrong, repetitive or others. Evidence has minor mistakes and relevant, accurate and thoroughly
with examples) irrelevant. is not explained in detail. explained.
Science Content/ The topic is not developed and contains The topic is explained, but minor mistakes Accurate scientific information is included
Background major mistakes. are made. throughout the writing.
Vocabulary Science vocabulary is not used correctly. Science vocabulary is used with minor Uses a variety of science vocabulary
mistakes in their definitions. correctly.
Style and Formal style is not present. Complete Formal style is inconsistent. Complete Formal style reflects an objective tone.
Organization sentences are not used. There is no sentences are used but informal language Creates a logical structure with complete
specific focus. There are major is present. Main ideas are clear, but stray sentences and paragraphs. Focus is
grammatical mistakes. There are no from the claim. Some grammatical always on the claim. Grammar is used
transitions between ideas. There is no mistakes are made. Transitions are used correctly. Transitions clarify relationships.
clarity in the writing. but do not connect ideas.
Concluding No concluding statement present that Provides a sense of closure. Concluding Concluding statement supports the
Statement summarizes the argument. statement is present but the statement argument and major ideas are developed.
does not reflect the argument presented. Statements are not repeated and
implications explained.
Sources No reference list provided. Reference lists is in APA format with minor Reference list is in APA format and in-text
mistakes. citations are included in the body.
2 Things you did well on: 2 Things you need to work on:
 Science Argumentative Writing Scoring Rubric
Write arguments to support claims in an analysis of substantive topics or texts, using valid reason and relevant and sufficient evidence.
Poor Developing Meeting
Introduction Introduction is not a complete thought or Introduction does not outline the claim, Introduction is engaging and outlines the
is missing. counterclaim, reasons and evidence. ideas of the writing.
Claim Claim is not present or it does not address A general claim is present. Acknowledges A precise developed claim is present.
(Takes a Position) relevance/significance of the topic. A the relevance but does not explain the Explains the relevancy and importance of
convincing argument is not made. importance of the topic. the topic.
Counterclaim Counterclaim is not present or irrelevant. There is not a clear distinction between Explains the strengths and limitations of a
(Addresses the claim and counterclaim. Some minor distinguished relevant counterclaim.
alternatives) errors are present in the counterclaim.
Evidence Specific reasoning for the claim is not Some reasons are more supported than Claim is well-supported. Evidence is
(Develops ideas stated. Evidence is wrong, repetitive or others. Evidence has minor mistakes and relevant, accurate and thoroughly
with examples) irrelevant. is not explained in detail. explained.
Science Content/ The topic is not developed and contains The topic is explained, but minor mistakes Accurate scientific information is included
Background major mistakes. are made. throughout the writing.
Vocabulary Science vocabulary is not used correctly. Science vocabulary is used with minor Uses a variety of science vocabulary
mistakes in their definitions. correctly.
Style and Formal style is not present. Complete Formal style is inconsistent. Complete Formal style reflects an objective tone.
Organization sentences are not used. There is no sentences are used but informal language Creates a logical structure with complete
specific focus. There are major is present. Main ideas are clear, but stray sentences and paragraphs. Focus is
grammatical mistakes. There are no from the claim. Some grammatical always on the claim. Grammar is used
transitions between ideas. There is no mistakes are made. Transitions are used correctly. Transitions clarify relationships.
clarity in the writing. but do not connect ideas.
Concluding No concluding statement present that Provides a sense of closure. Concluding Concluding statement supports the
Statement summarizes the argument. statement is present but the statement argument and major ideas are developed.
does not reflect the argument presented. Statements are not repeated and
implications explained.
Sources No reference list provided. Reference lists is in APA format with minor Reference list is in APA format and in-text
mistakes. citations are included in the body.
2 Things you did well on: 2 Things you need to work on: