A free argumentative essay rubric for high school: thesis, evidence and citation, counterclaim, reasoning, and academic conventions.
| Criterion | Points |
|---|---|
Thesis and claim Precise, arguable thesis that addresses the prompt and previews the line of reasoning. | 4 |
Evidence and citations Relevant, credible evidence integrated smoothly and cited correctly. | 5 |
Counterclaim and rebuttal Acknowledges a meaningful counterclaim and rebuts it with evidence. | 3 |
Reasoning and cohesion Logical progression; each paragraph advances the argument with clear transitions. | 4 |
Style and conventions Formal academic tone; correct grammar, punctuation, and formatting. | 4 |
| Total | 20 |