Editorial essay

Rubric for Editorial
Spring 2020
Introduction
_______Essay has a title that is interesting and helps draw the reader in
_______Warm-up (Get reader into the debate and subject matter that these articles address)
______ Includes a “hook” or something that will get the reader’s attention and help the reader understand the subject that will be discussed/argued for or against.
______Essay has a clear claim in the first paragraph. The claim is stated and functions like a thesis statement to let the reader know what direction we are headed in. A clear statement of belief (15)
Body of Essay
______Essay has at least two clearly defined reasons as to why you are arguing for this particular claim (or belief.) Reasons for claim justify and clearly connect as to why this particular idea is credible. Align your ideas/stories with your belief. (10 points)
______Each reason for the belief should have transitional sentences that help the reader understand how the story relates to the statement of belief. (5)
______Each Reason/principal that is named for justifying the belief must be by a matter of logical statements and/or stories that is clear and easy to understand. (3)
______ Optional: Your essay does not have to have a quote from a credible outside source to support your reasons or your claim. However, remember that having a quote from a source might make your argument more believable. So research and direct quotes are optional for this essay.
______Optional: You may not have room for putting a counter-argument or reasons for the opposing side since this is a short essay. However if you have room, this always helps show that you’ve considered the opposing side. If you look at the “This I Believe” essay by Deidre Sullivan titled “Always go to the Funeral” you will see that she lists reasons why people avoid going to a funeral.
______Optional: Consider adding a personal story in your editorial in order to connect with the reader. A personal story can appeal to ethos, pathos and logos. It is induction because it is giving a real life example of a particular idea. It can build ethos since it shows you may have experience with a particular idea. And it can build pathos if it points to a value proof of something you believe in. Unlike previous essays, you can write in first person in this essay.
______ Body of essay needs to be at least two paragraphs long. Do not feel restrained to only create two paragraphs. You may write 3-5 body paragraphs if you like.
______Body paragraphs connect to both introduction and conclusion
Conclusion
______You should have a final statement at the end reinforcing to your reader how your claim operates and emphasizing your overall claim. (5)

General Guidelines
________Essay must be at least 700 words and cannot be over 1000 words. Your language should be focused and to the point. You should not waste any words and make sure every word counts.
________Essay is focused around one claim and the body paragraphs support that central claim. Since this editorial can only be 1000 words, this means that you need to persuade your reader to change their mind on one idea rather than two or three.
_________Be accurate and original when writing this essay. Attempt to get past the cliché. If you use a cliché statement, explain what this statement is not a cliché. Experimenting with different phrases might make your statement original. (3)
_________Consider using different forms of persuasion to back up your claim. Telling a story about a personal experience is different than stating a fact. For instance, if you are arguing that buying a new car is better than buying a used car, you might tell a personal story to back up your statement. Then you might also give statistics or state a fact to make your case. Even more, you might mix the two together. Personal stories connect with the reader and help them understand you are a human, reasons appeal to a person’s logic.
____Essay “flows” smoothly and uses transitions.

____Essay uses a variety of language and display a sense of cohesive purpose.

____MLA format

____Uses personal stories and “I” but doesn’t only depend on personal stories to make their point. Essay has a conclusion that explains what central point the author is making.

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