Grades 3–5
Teacher-Friendly Scoring Guide for Opinion Writing
Opinion writing lays out a position logically and adheres to it. The writer uses solid evidence to convince the reader to understand or embrace the claim and point of view, believe in an idea, or take action. In some ways, opinion writing is strong informational writing—with an attitude! The writing needs to be clear, compelling, and well-supported. To accomplish that, the writer must apply the key qualities of the mode with skill and confidence.
6 EXCEPTIONAL
A. Claim/Opinion : The writer makes a clear statement about his/her position on a well-defined topic. B. Evidence : The writer supports his or her opinion with a variety of different types of evidence from personal experiences and credible sources. C. Logic : The writer expresses sound reasoning throughout. By putting the right evidence in the right place, he or she structures the piece logically: compare/ contrast, cause/effect, problem/solution, and so on. The writer recognizes opposing positions and exposes weaknesses in them.
5 STRONG
4 REFINING
A. Claim/Opinion : The writer may start out strong from the original claim, but the focus fades. Or, the writer makes a claim, but it is very general. B. Evidence : The writer uses a minimal amount of evidence other than personal experience to support a credible opinion. The writer uses generalities or exaggerations, with a few clear, concrete specifics. C. Logic : Connections between ideas are hit or miss. The writer attempts to expose holes in opposing positions, but with mixed results.
3 DEVELOPING
2 EMERGING
A. Claim/Opinion : The writer has not made his/her position clear. The piece misses the point of opinion writing. B. Evidence : The writer provides only generalities and exaggerations, and no hard facts that could sway the reader. C. Logic : The writer fails to provide sound reasoning to support the opinion. The writer forgets to consider opposing positions.
1 RUDIMENTARY
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