why my vote matters

CATEGORY 40 - Above 30 - Meets 20 - Approaching 10 - Below Attention Grabber The introductory paragraph has a strong hook or attention grabber that is appropriate for the audience. This could be a strong statement, a relevant quotation, statistic, or question addressed to the reader. The introductory paragraph has a hook or attention grabber, but it is weak, rambling or inappropriate for the audience. The author has an interesting introductory paragraph but the connection to the topic is not clear. The introductory paragraph is not interesting AND is not relevant to the topic. Sequencing Arguments and support are provided in a logical order that makes it easy and interesting to follow the author\'s train of thought. Arguments and support are provided in a fairly logical order that makes it reasonably easy to follow the author\'s train of thought. A few of the support details or arguments are not in an expected or logical order, distracting the reader and making the essay seem a little confusing. Many of the support details or arguments are not in an expected or logical order, distracting the reader and making the essay seem very confusing. Support for Position Includes 3 or more pieces of evidence (facts, statistics, examples, real-life experiences) that support the position statement. The writer anticipates the reader\'s concerns, biases or arguments and has provided at least 1 counter-argument. Includes 3 or more pieces of evidence (facts, statistics, examples, real-life experiences) that support the position statement. Includes 2 pieces of evidence (facts, statistics, examples, real-life experiences) that support the position statement. Includes 1 or fewer pieces of evidence (facts, statistics, examples, real-life experiences). Evidence and Examples All of the evidence and examples are specific, relevant and explanations are given that show how each piece of evidence supports the author's position. Most of the evidence and examples are specific, relevant and explanations are given that show how each piece of evidence supports the author's position. At least one of the pieces of evidence and examples is relevant and has an explanation that shows how that piece of evidence supports the author's position. Evidence and examples are NOT relevant AND/OR are not explained. Closing paragraph The conclusion is strong and leaves the reader solidly understanding the writer's position. Effective restatement of the position statement begins the closing paragraph. The conclusion is recognizable. The author's position is restated within the first two sentences of the closing paragraph. The author's position is restated within the closing paragraph, but not near the beginning. There is no conclusion - the paper just ends.