Lessons · Teaching · the argument essay, and what its rubric rewards
The argument essay, and what the rubric actually rewards
You are given a position and asked to argue for or against it. The rubric rewards a clear stated position, reasons that support it, developed examples, an organisation a reader can follow, and control of sentences and mechanics. It does not reward being right, being original, or agreeing with the reader.
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In beta. This lesson was written for Hone and has not yet been checked by a state certification officer. Practice material, not professional advice. What that means.
What it is for
Candidates lose marks here for reasons that have nothing to do with writing ability: they hedge instead of taking a side, they produce three thin reasons instead of two developed ones, or they spend the first paragraph restating the prompt. Knowing what is being counted is most of the improvement available in one evening.
How to think about it
Take a side in the first sentence, even a side you half believe, because the essay is a demonstration and not a confession. Give two or three reasons and develop each with a specific example. Acknowledge the strongest objection and answer it. Close by saying what follows, not by repeating the opening.
Worked example
Two developed reasons beat four asserted onesDevelopment is what the rubric names. A list of claims is a plan, not an essay.
A specific example outperforms a general one every time'A school in my district moved to a later start' does work that 'studies show' cannot.
Answering the strongest objection is worth more than adding a fourth reasonIt shows you understood the question rather than only your side of it.
Restating the prompt as your first paragraph costs you time and earns nothingThe reader has the prompt. Start with your position.
Your turn
Name the thing the rubric does not reward.
The rubric does not reward being
Solve one, graded on the server
The trap
Writing a balanced survey. 'There are arguments on both sides' with no position taken scores low on every argument rubric in use, because the task asked for an argument and received an overview.