urpose
Address purpose, audience, and rhetorical situation.
Produce writing that demonstrates academic reading skills.
Use a process approach to compose well-developed, research-based essays.
Create an argumentative and/or expository thesis supported by textual evidence.
Locate, evaluate, and integrate information sources.
Summarize, analyze, synthesize, apply, and document source material.
Control conventions of language, mechanics, and MLA format.
Prompt
Using the topic from your Topic Proposal and Annotated Bibliography, you will now craft an essay (at least 1,500 words, approximately 6 pages) in which you take a position on the issue. You will synthesize the sources from your Annotated Bibliography to support your position. You may incorporate additional sources into your final paper if you would like; you are not limited to only the sources on your annotated bibliography. Do not include the annotations from your annotated bibliography in your final argument essay — but do include a Works Cited page. Submit your final essay as a Word document or PDF file to the assignment in Canvas on or before the due date.
Criteria for Success
The essay is based on a clearly stated, arguable thesis statement.
The thesis is appropriately developed and supported: the writer has provided evidence, examples, and analysis as appropriate.
The essay is cohesive/stays on topic.
The writing is clear and coherent/makes sense.
The tone and language are appropriate for the audience and purpose.
The essay has an interesting, relevant title.
The writer has gone through the entire writing process, revising substantially and thoughtfully.
The writing adheres to grammar and punctuation rules.
The argument essay should adhere to all formatting criteria:
MLA format, in the essay and on the Works Cited page.
Essay length: At least 1,500 words.
Font: Black Calibri or Times New Roman font in size 12.
Double-spaced lines.
1-inch margins on all sides.
Important note: An essay submitted without a Works Cited page and/or in-text citations formatted in MLA will receive a “0” score. Sources and proper citations for those sources are required for this essay.
View Rubric
ENG 102 Argument Essay
ENG 102 Argument Essay
Criteria Ratings Pts
Thesis statement
view longer description
15 to >14 pts
Exceeds expectations
The thesis statement is exceptionally clear and compelling.
14 to >9 pts
Meets expectations
The thesis statement is clear and arguable.
9 to >3 pts
Approaches expectations
The thesis statement is somewhat clear but may lack full strength or clarity.
3 to >0 pts
Does not meet expectations
The thesis statement is unclear, weak, or entirely absent.
/ 15 pts
Thesis Development (Evidence, Examples, Analysis)
view longer description
20 to >18 pts
Exceeds expectations
The thesis is thoroughly developed with strong evidence, examples, and analysis.
18 to >10 pts
Meets expectations
The thesis is appropriately developed with strong evidence, examples, and analysis.
10 to >3 pts
Approaches expectations
The thesis is somewhat developed but may have some weaknesses in evidence, examples, or analysis.
3 to >0 pts
Does not meet expectations
The thesis lacks sufficient development without including evidence, examples, and analysis.
/ 20 pts
Cohesion and Relevance
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10 to >9 pts
Exceeds expectations
The essay maintains exceptional cohesion, staying consistently on topic and highly relevant.
9 to >6 pts
Meets expectations
The essay maintains cohesion and relevance.
6 to >4 pts
Approaches expectations
The essay maintains partial cohesion and relevance.
4 to >0 pts
Does not meet expectations
The essay lacks cohesion and relevance.
/ 10 pts
Clarity and Coherence
view longer description
10 to >9 pts
Exceeds expectations
The writing is exceptionally clear and coherent, making logical sense.
9 to >6 pts
Meets expectations
The writing is clear and coherent, making sense.
6 to >2 pts
Approaches expectations
The writing is somewhat clear and coherent but may have some issues.
2 to >0 pts
Approaches expectations
The writing is not clear and lacks coherence, making it difficult to understand.
/ 10 pts
Tone and Language
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10 to >9 pts
Exceeds expectations
Tone and language are exceptionally suited to the audience and purpose.
9 to >6 pts
Meets expectations
Tone and language are suitable for the audience and purpose.
6 to >2 pts
Approaches expectations
The tone and language are somewhat appropriate but may lack full suitability.
2 to >0 pts
Does not meet expectations
Tone and language are not appropriate for the audience and purpose.
/ 10 pts
MLA style and format
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20 to >18 pts
Exceeds expectations
The essay is formatted according to MLA including margins, font, headings, pages #s, etc. All quotes, summaries, and paraphrases include properly formatted in-text citations. A properly formatted Works Cited page is included and does not include annotations from the annotated bibliography.
18 to >12 pts
MLA format
The essay is formatted according to MLA including margins, font, headings, pages #s, etc. All quotes, summaries, and paraphrases include properly formatted in-text citations. A properly formatted Works Cited page is included and does not include annotations from the annotated bibliography. One or two errors in formatting may be present.
12 to >6 pts
Approaches expectations
The essay is somewhat formatted according to MLA including margins, fonts, headings, pages #s, etc., but may contain an obvious error in formatting (i.e., the text is centered). All quotes, summaries, and paraphrases include in-text citations but may contain minor formatting errors. A properly formatted Works Cited page is included but may include annotations from the annotated bibliography or have multiple minor formatting errors.
6 to >0 pts
Approaches expectations
No recognizable format is followed. Citations are present but not recognizable as MLA. (Note: Any essays without citations will receive a “0” for the entire paper, not just the “MLA style and format” criterion.)
/ 20 pts
Grammar and Punctuation
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10 to >9 pts
Exceeds expectations
The writing adheres to a recognizable grammar, punctuation, and spelling system with no errors.
9 to >6 pts
Meets expectations
The writing adheres to a recognizable grammar, punctuation, and spelling system with few errors.
6 to >2 pts
Approaches expectations
The writing adheres to a recognizable grammar, punctuation, and spelling system with many errors.
2 to >0 pts
Does not meet expectations
The essay contains numerous and significant grammatical and punctuation errors without following a recognizable system of grammar and punctuation.
/ 10 pts
Title
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5 to >4 pts
Exceeds expectations
The Essay has a compelling and relevant title that effectively draws the reader in.
4 to >3 pts
Meets expectations
The essay has an appropriate title that reflects the topic but may lack creativity or relevance.
3 to >1 pts
Approaches expectations
The title is somewhat appropriate but lacks relevance and creativity.
1 to >0 pts
Does not meet expectations
The title is missing or irrelevant to the topic.
/ 5 pts
