NJSLA-A Grades 6–8 Argumentative Rubric

5 points

Focused response, clear understanding of task and purpose. Characteristics: a claim that clearly introduces a topic or issue; relevant and accurate data and evidence that clearly support the claim; logical reasoning that clearly demonstrates understanding of the topic or text; (G7 only) clearly acknowledges an alternate or opposing claim; (G8 only) clearly acknowledges and distinguishes an alternate or opposing claim.

4 points

Mostly focused response, general understanding of task and purpose. Characteristics: a claim that generally introduces a topic or issue; accurate data and evidence that generally support the claim; logical reasoning that generally demonstrates understanding of the topic or text; (G7 only) generally acknowledges an alternate or opposing claim; (G8 only) generally acknowledges and distinguishes an alternate or opposing claim.

3 points

Basic response, some understanding of task and purpose. Characteristics: a claim that somewhat introduces a topic or issue; data and evidence that somewhat support the claim (information may be general); reasoning that somewhat demonstrates understanding of the topic or text; (G7 only) somewhat acknowledges an alternate or opposing claim; (G8 only) somewhat acknowledges or distinguishes an alternate or opposing claim.

2 points

Limited response, partial understanding of task and purpose. Characteristics: a claim that attempts to introduce a topic or issue; limited evidence related to the claim (information may be general); limited or attempted reasoning related to the topic or text; (G7 and G8 only) attempts to acknowledge an alternate or opposing claim.

1 point

Minimally written response, minimal understanding of task and purpose. Characteristics: a minimal, missing, or unclear claim; minimal, missing, or unclear supporting evidence; minimal, missing, or unclear demonstration of reasoning; (G7 and G8 only) minimal, missing, or unclear acknowledgement of an alternate or opposing claim.

5 points

Focused response. Characteristics: a clear introduction that contains clear reasons and relevant evidence to support a claim; a clear organizational structure that presents reasons and evidence logically; a concluding statement or section that clearly follows from the argument presented; (G7 and G8) a conclusion that also clearly supports the argument presented.

4 points

Mostly focused response. Characteristics: a general introduction that contains reasons and relevant evidence to support a claim; an organizational structure that generally presents reasons and evidence logically; a concluding statement or section that generally follows from the argument presented; (G7 and G8) a conclusion that also generally supports the argument presented.

3 points

Basic response. Characteristics: a basic introduction that contains some reasoning and evidence to support a claim; a basic organizational structure that somewhat presents reasons or evidence; a concluding statement or section that somewhat follows from the argument presented; (G7 and G8) a conclusion that also somewhat supports the argument presented.

2 points

Limited response. Characteristics: a limited or attempted introduction to support a claim; a limited or attempted organizational structure that attempts to present reasons or evidence; a concluding statement or section that attempts to relate to the argument presented.

1 point

Minimally written response. Characteristics: a missing or unclear introduction; a minimal or unclear organizational structure; a missing or unclear concluding statement or section.

5 points

Focused response. Characteristics: (G6 only) words, phrases, and clauses that clearly link and clarify relationships among claim(s), reasons, and evidence; (G7 only) clearly create cohesion and clarify relationships among claim(s), reasons, and evidence; (G8 only) clearly create cohesion and clarify relationships among claim(s), counterclaims, reasons, and evidence; establishes and maintains a formal/academic style, approach, and form.

4 points

Mostly focused response. Characteristics: (G6 only) words, phrases, and clauses that generally link and clarify relationships among claim(s), reasons, and evidence; (G7 only) generally create cohesion and clarify relationships among claim(s), reasons, and evidence; (G8 only) generally create cohesion and clarify relationships among claim(s), counterclaims, reasons, and evidence; generally establishes and maintains a formal/academic style, approach, and form.

3 points

Basic response. Characteristics: (G6 only) words, phrases, and clauses that somewhat link or clarify relationships among claim(s), reasons, or evidence; (G7 only) somewhat create cohesion or clarify relationships among claim(s), reasons, or evidence; (G8 only) somewhat create cohesion or clarify relationships among claim(s), counterclaims, reasons, or evidence; somewhat establishes a formal/academic style, approach, or form.

2 points

Limited response. Characteristics: (G6 only) words, phrases, or clauses that attempt to link claim(s), reasons, or evidence; (G7 and G8 only) words, phrases, or clauses that attempt to relate claim(s), reasons, or evidence; attempts a formal/academic style, approach, or form.

1 point

Minimally written response. Characteristics: minimal or unclear use of words, phrases, or clauses to link claim(s) or reasons; minimal or missing formal/academic style, approach, or form.