Criteria

Expectations

Audience

(10 points)

– The target audience – a decision-maker in the writer’s local community or current/future career – is identified

– Writing adapted to the audience effectively

– Audience-based reasons and evidence used

– Style and form appropriate for the audience used

Introduction:Problem and Thesis

(15 points)

– Gets reader’s attention

– Describes the problem and its causes

– Persuades the audience that this is a serious problem (in his/her local community or current/future career) that needs solving

– States his/her claim/thesis (solution to the problem) clearly

Alternative Solutions

(15 points)

– Describes 2-3 alternative solutions used/suggested previously by others

– Explains (with evidence) their drawbacks

The Best Solution and Justification for the Solution

(35 points)

– Describes his/her solution that will help alleviate the problem in detail

– Develops 2-3 reasons (in separate paragraphs) why the audience should implement the solution

– Explains and presents evidence how the solution is logical, feasible, and practical, and why it is the most effective one available for the writer’s local community or current/future occupation

Counter-Arguments

(25 points)

– Summarizes 2-3 arguments, challenging his/her solution, reasons, and evidence

-Shows (with evidence) weaknesses in opposing views and refutes them effectively