Arguing a Position Issue ____ The issue the student is writing about is not really an issue: there is no counter argument. ____ The issue is not adequately described or opposing views are not clearly explained.
Position ____ The writer does not assert a position on the issue; the writer may waffle, agreeing with one side and then the other, but never taking a stand. ____ The writer merely reports opposing positions. ____ The thesis is asserted too soon or too late. ____ The key
terms of the thesis do not seem appropriate and are not carried through
the essay.
Argument ____ It is difficult to see why the writer takes the position; the reasons would be difficult or impossible to list. ____ There is no explicitly cued, logical progression to the argument. ____ The argument would be stronger if the points were arranged in a different order. ____ Support is thin--relatively few examples, anecdotes, statistics, etc. ____ The argument is adequately supported but seems flat, uncommitted, lacking surprises or insights, and likely to bore readers. ____ The writer ignores readers--no objections or opposing arguments accommodated or refuted.
Tone ____ The tone seems inappropriate to the writer's purpose and assumed readers.
Sources ____ The citations and sources reveal a superficial or incomplete search for information. ____ Certain sources are inappropriate, dated, or peripheral. ____ The essay relies too much or too little on quoted material. ____ Quoted material is not integrated smoothly into the writer's text. ____ Sources cited are not in the reference list. ____ Citations and references do not consistently follow an accepted documentation style. Return to Main Page
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