Argumentation Rubric—High School

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Making a Claim

I make a claim that clearly describes a reasonable position on a controversial topic in the form of a statement.

I make a claim that describes a position in the form of a statement.

With help, I make a claim that describes a position, but sometimes I get confused about the nature of a claim.

I do not make a claim, and I confuse claims with other kinds of statements.

Using Tools to Evaluate Evidence

I evaluate the credibility of quantitative and qualitative evidence using statistical analysis, logical thinking, and knowledge of the subject.

I apply standards of quality to the evidence I use to support my position by using statistical and logical thinking.

I need help to determine if the evidence I am using to support my claim is credible. I try to use logical thinking to evaluate evidence, but sometimes I draw faulty conclusions.

I often use evidence that is not credible. I usually just use personal feelings and preferences to evaluate evidence, so many of my conclusions are not based on facts.

Analyzing Assumptions

I analyze and evaluate the assumptions behind my arguments and the arguments of others.

I identify the assumptions behind my arguments and the arguments of others.

I need help to determine the assumptions behind my arguments and the arguments of others.

I can not determine the assumptions behind my arguments.

Addressing Expert Viewpoints

I thoroughly address the points of view held by the majority of experts in the subject area, whether they support my claim or not.

I include information from experts in the subject area, whether they support my claim or not.

I include some information from experts in the subject area, but the experts I choose are mostly one-sided in support of my claim.

I do not include information from many experts in the subject area of my claim.

Meeting Audience’s Needs

I am aware of the audience I am trying to persuade. I use a variety of methods and evidence to meet the audience’s needs and concerns to persuade them of the validity of my position.

I use evidence that meets the concerns of my audience.

I use generic arguments that do not necessarily meet the specific needs of my audience.

I do not consider the audience when I present my argument.

Addressing Opposing Viewpoints

I anticipate counterarguments to my position and provide evidence to discount them.

I address the concerns of opposing viewpoints in my argument.

I try to address the concerns of opposing viewpoints in my argument, but I may misinterpret or misstate them.

I do not address the concerns of opposing viewpoints.

Communicating

I organize my argument so that evidence builds in a convincing and persuasive way.

I organize my argument to be effective.

I do not think carefully about how my argument is organized, and it may be confusing.

I do not think carefully about my argument, and it is unorganized and unconvincing.