Position

This strand encompasses the argument in the essay – the key sentences that state what you are proving and how you are proving it.

Thesis:
The sentence(s) explicitly or implicitly stated early in the paper that outline the argument being made in the paper.

Assertions:
The assertion is the sentence at the paragraph level that is the written articulation of the subargument.

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Thesis
Assertions

- Thesis is an opinion stated in the first person, and may or may not be a statement directly in response to the prompt.
- Thesis is written in the third person, and may just be a topic sentence that restates the prompt. It may only address half the prompt (i.e. theme but no attempt to name craft move, or vice versa; in a two-text prompt, students may only write about one text).
- Thesis is written in the third person, and may just be a topic sentence that restates the prompt. It attempts to answer the whole prompt, but may be too unclear to assess defensibility. This statement does not need to be accurate.
- If the prompt demands it, the defensible thesis is written as an argument/inference that can be supported with evidence (rather than a restatement of prompt or summary of the text/issue). This statement must answer all parts of a multi-part question. This statement does not need to be accurate.
- The defensible claim that the thesis makes represents a broad argument that could be made for all texts or all sides of the issue involved in the prompt (comprehensive). This statement must answer all parts of a multi-part question. This statement does not need to be accurate. Attempt at counterclaim present, if needed.
- A focused thesis is one with strong, precise language that clearly conveys strong, precise ideas in response to a prompt. Thesis statements are often not focused when the language is imprecise, thus keeping the ideas at a level that is too broad. This statement must answer all parts of a multi-part question. This statement does not need to be accurate. Counterclaim is focused.
- An analytical thesis is a response that incorporates the deepest meaning of the text in response to the prompt OR most meaningful level of an argument. It is the teacher exemplar in terms of language & level of interpretation. It does NOT list assertions. This statement must answer all parts of a multi-part question. This statement does not need to be accurate. Counterclaim is analytical.
- A nuanced response shares the relevant complexities or nuances of an argument based on what took place in the text/what comes up in the scope of the argument–it does not overlook or not recognize these complexities for the sake of an answer. Goes beyond the “answering the whole prompt” and thinking about the text and/or author influences in responding to the prompt. This statement must answer all parts of a multi-part question. This statement does not need to be accurate. Counterclaim is nuanced.

- Generally body paragraphs contain topic sentences that frame each paragraph. Some topic sentences are related to the topic of the paper.
- Most topic sentences are relevant to the topic of the paper.
- All topic sentences are directly relevant to the topic of the paper.
- Each topic sentence is directly relevant to the thesis statement and some topic sentences are assertions. Sequence of assertions may be random.
- Each topic sentence is directly relevant to the thesis and most topic sentences are assertions.
- Sequence of assertions is attempted.
- Each topic sentence is an assertion that supports the thesis statement.
- Sequence of assertions is mostly intentional but may not effectively advance the argument.
- Each assertion provides defensible and relevant support for the larger argument of the thesis statement. Some assertions are clarified in scope.
- Sequence of assertions is intentional and sometimes advances the argument.
- Each assertion provides defensible and relevant support for the larger argument of the thesis statement. Assertions are mostly clarified in scope.
- Sequence of assertions is intentional and mostly advances the argument.

Middle School Writing Rubric Bird's Eye View