8th Grade English

Quarter 4 Persuasive
Name:

Class Period:

Date:

Writing Prompt:
Create a persuasive essay or letter that states the writers position and provides reasons that support it.

(Ref: Write Source

p.219-259, 323-328, 274-277)

W.8.1b
Support claim(s) with logical
reasoning and relevant evidence
using accurate, credible sources
and demonstrating and
understanding of topic and text.
W.8.5
Develop and strengthen writing
by focusing on what is most
significant for a specific purpose
and audience.

W.9.2d
Use precise language and
domain-specific vocabulary to
inform about or explain the topic
L.8.6
Acquire grade appropriate
academic and domain specific
words.
W.8.2e

Organizat
(Intro)
ion
Organization(Body)
Organizatio(Conclusion
n
)

W.8.1e
Provide a concluding statement
or section that follows from and
supports the argument
presented.

Ideas

W.8.1a
Acknowledge and distinguish the
claim(s) from alternate or
opposing claims, and organize
the reasons and evidence
logically.
W.8.4
Produce clear and coherent
writing in which development,
organization, and style are
appropriate to task, purpose,
and audience.

TechniquesPersuasive

W.8.1a
Introduce precise claim

Trait

Word Choice

Standard

Approaching
Distinguished

Proficient

Basic

Score

The introduction
Introduction includes a Introduction includes a Introduction includes a
includes an engaging
hook, clearly states hook, states the claim, claim, but hook and/or
hook, clearly states
the claim, and
but provides unclear
context are weak or
the claim, and
provides context.
context.
missing.
provides context.
(9-8)
(6-0)
(10-9)
(8-7)
/10
Argument follows a
logical sequence and
includes
the claim, strong
support, and a
counterargument,
which appeals to the
intended audience.
Transitions are varied
and appropriate to
organize information.
(15-14)

Argument follows a Argument includes the

logical sequence and claim, some support,
includes the claim,
and a
support, and a
counterargument;
counterargument,
however, not all
which appeals to the information is in logical
intended audience.
order, and the
Transitions are used
intended audience
appropriately.
may be unclear.
Transitions are
(14-12)
included but repetitive.
(12-10)

Conclusion is strong Conclusion revisits the Conclusion includes

and leaves the reader claim, summarizes the the claim, but leaves
with a clear
support and provides
the reader with
understanding of the
closure.
questions.
writers claim;
provides a
(9-8)
creative/insightful
(8-7)
closure
(10-9)

Argument includes the

claim and little
support; information is
not in logical order.
The intended audience
may be unclear.
Transitions are not
included or several are
missing.
(9-0)

/15

Conclusion is missing
the claim, support,
summary, and/or
closure.
(6-0)

/10
Insightful, relevant and Relevant support and Support is presented
quality details to
details to develop and but the defense of the
develop and defend
defend the claim and
claim and
the claim and
counterargument.
counterargument is
counterargument.
(14-12)
underdeveloped.
(15-14)
(12-10)

Limited support is
presented and does
not defend the claim
and/or
counterargument.
(9-0)

/15

Multiple persuasive Persuasive techniques Persuasive technique Persuasive techniques

techniques, including
and appeals are
and appeals are used and appeals are used
parallelism, and a
effectively used to
somewhat effectively
ineffectively.
variety of appeals are persuade an audience.
to persuade an
effectively used to
audience.
persuade an audience.
(6-0)
(10-9)
(9-8)
(8-7)

/10
Writer consistently
Writer occasionally
Writer uses some
uses precise language uses precise language precise language and
and specific
and specific
specific vocabulary.
vocabulary to show
vocabulary to show
understanding of the understanding of the
topic.
topic.
Writer uses some
formal language and
Writer consistently
Writer occasionally
first person voice.
uses formal language uses formal language
(8-7)

Writer uses limited

language and
vocabulary, including
slang and/or clichs.

/10

Writer uses limited

formal language or
first person.

and first person voice. and first person voice.

(10-9)
(9-8)

(6 - 0)

W.8.1c
Use words, phrases, and clauses
to create cohesion and clarify
the relationships among claims,
counterclaims, reasons and
evidence.

L.8.2 Demonstrate command

of the conventions of standard
English capitalization,
punctuation, and spelling when
writing.
W.8.2 Establish and maintain a
formal style.

atFormMLA Conventions FluencySentence

and Voice

Establish and maintain a formal

style

8th English 6/29/12

All sentences are

skillfully written with
varied structure

Most sentences are

skillfully written with
varied structure

(10 - 9)

(9 - 8)

Sentences are wellconstructed but lack

variety
(8 - 7)

Sentences lack
structure or variety
(6 - 0)

/10
Writer makes few to no Writer makes some
Writer makes multiple
errors in capitalization, errors in capitalization, errors in capitalization,
spelling, punctuation, spelling, punctuation, spelling, punctuation,
and grammar.
and grammar.
and grammar.
(10 - 9)
(8 - 7)
(9 - 8)
Writer uses proper
MLA format with no
errors.
(10 - 9)

Writer follows proper

MLA format with few
errors.
(9 - 8)

Writer follows MLA

format with multiple
errors.
(8 - 7)

Significant errors
prevent the readers
understanding.
(6 - 0)

/10

Writer attempts to use

MLA format.
(6 - 0)
/10

/100