Scoring Tool for Summative Assessment

Specialization and Production: Summative Assessment

Reasoned Persuasion: Students will state a position on an issue or subject of importance in social studies, and use logic to defend it.

Reasoned Persuasion
Skills & Processes

Content Evidence & Support

Communication & Presentation

Conceptual Understanding

1. A pattern of deductive or inductive reasoning supporting the persuasive effort is not evident.

The position is not evident, or is unreasonable or unsubstantiated.
Most points are not logically supported
Minimal information is provided to support the topic.

Information may be irrelevant to the topic.
Most information is inaccurate, non-credible, or unverifiable.
The content and scope of information are inadequate for the topic.
Sources of information are not communicated.
The presentation is not effective.

The presentation is not appropriate for the purpose or topic.
Ideas are poorly developed and disorganized. Errors in sentence structure, grammar, mechanics, word choice, or usage seriously interfere with the clarity and effectiveness of the communication.
Minimal conceptual understanding of the topic is demonstrated.

Concepts and important ideas pertinent to the topic are seldom or never used.
Little or no logic or language appropriate to the topic is evident.
Few, if any, examples are used to illustrate the concepts presented.
Conclusions, if offered, are largely illogical or inaccurate.

2. A pattern of deductive or inductive reasoning supporting the persuasive effort is somewhat evident.
The position may not be clear, or is somewhat unreasonable or unsubstantiated.
Some points are logically supported.
Some information is provided to support the topic, but it is inadequate.

Some information relevant to the task is employed.
Some information is inaccurate, non-credible, or unverifiable.
The content and scope of information are somewhat inadequate for the purpose.
Sources of information may be inadequately communicated.
The presentation is somewhat effective.

The presentation is somewhat appropriate for the purpose and topic.
Ideas are partially developed but somewhat disorganized.
Errors in sentence structure, grammar, mechanics, word choice, or usage may sometimes interfere with the clarity and effectiveness of the communication.
Some conceptual understanding of the topic is demonstrated.

Some concepts and important ideas pertinent to the topic are used.
Some use of logic and language appropriate to the topic is evident.
Some examples are used to illustrate the concepts presented. Conclusions may be somewhat illogical or inaccurate.

3. A pattern of deductive or inductive reasoning supporting the persuasive effort is evident.

The position is clear and substantiated.
Most points are logically supported.
Adequate information is provided to support the topic.

Information relevant to the topic is provided.
Although minor inaccuracies may be present, most information is accurate, credible, and verifiable.
The content and scope of information are adequate for the topic.
Most sources of information are adequately communicated.
The presentation is effective.

The presentation is appropriate for the purpose and topic.
Ideas are adequately developed and generally well organized.
Errors in sentence structure, grammar, mechanics, word choice, or usage seldom interfere with the clarity and effectiveness of the communication.
Adequate conceptual understanding of the topic is demonstrated.

Concepts and important ideas pertinent to the topic are accurately used.
Logic and language appropriate to the topic are evident.
Examples are used to adequately illustrate the concepts presented.
Conclusions are generally logical and accurate.

4. A clear pattern of deductive or inductive reasoning enhancing the persuasive effort is evident.

The position is clear and well substantiated.
All points are logically supported.
Information to support the topic is carefully selected and skillfully utilized.

Information highly relevant to the topic is provided.
Information is detailed, accurate, credible, and verifiable.
The content and scope of information fully support the topic.
Sources of information are fully and clearly communicated.
The presentation is highly effective.

The presentation is highly appropriate for the purpose and topic.
Ideas are thoroughly developed and well organized. Sentence structure, grammar, mechanics, word choice, and usage enhance the clarity and effectiveness of the communication.
Superior conceptual understanding of the topic is demonstrated.

Concepts and important ideas pertinent to the topic are skillfully applied.
Logic and language appropriate to the topic are present throughout.
Examples used enhance understanding of the concepts presented.
Conclusions are logical and accurate, and may be insightful.

	Reasoned Persuasion Skills & Processes	Content Evidence & Support	Communication & Presentation	Conceptual Understanding
1.	A pattern of deductive or inductive reasoning supporting the persuasive effort is not evident. The position is not evident, or is unreasonable or unsubstantiated. Most points are not logically supported	Minimal information is provided to support the topic. Information may be irrelevant to the topic. Most information is inaccurate, non-credible, or unverifiable. The content and scope of information are inadequate for the topic. Sources of information are not communicated.	The presentation is not effective. The presentation is not appropriate for the purpose or topic. Ideas are poorly developed and disorganized. Errors in sentence structure, grammar, mechanics, word choice, or usage seriously interfere with the clarity and effectiveness of the communication.	Minimal conceptual understanding of the topic is demonstrated. Concepts and important ideas pertinent to the topic are seldom or never used. Little or no logic or language appropriate to the topic is evident. Few, if any, examples are used to illustrate the concepts presented. Conclusions, if offered, are largely illogical or inaccurate.
2.	A pattern of deductive or inductive reasoning supporting the persuasive effort is somewhat evident. The position may not be clear, or is somewhat unreasonable or unsubstantiated. Some points are logically supported.	Some information is provided to support the topic, but it is inadequate. Some information relevant to the task is employed. Some information is inaccurate, non-credible, or unverifiable. The content and scope of information are somewhat inadequate for the purpose. Sources of information may be inadequately communicated.	The presentation is somewhat effective. The presentation is somewhat appropriate for the purpose and topic. Ideas are partially developed but somewhat disorganized. Errors in sentence structure, grammar, mechanics, word choice, or usage may sometimes interfere with the clarity and effectiveness of the communication.	Some conceptual understanding of the topic is demonstrated. Some concepts and important ideas pertinent to the topic are used. Some use of logic and language appropriate to the topic is evident. Some examples are used to illustrate the concepts presented. Conclusions may be somewhat illogical or inaccurate.
3.	A pattern of deductive or inductive reasoning supporting the persuasive effort is evident. The position is clear and substantiated. Most points are logically supported.	Adequate information is provided to support the topic. Information relevant to the topic is provided. Although minor inaccuracies may be present, most information is accurate, credible, and verifiable. The content and scope of information are adequate for the topic. Most sources of information are adequately communicated.	The presentation is effective. The presentation is appropriate for the purpose and topic. Ideas are adequately developed and generally well organized. Errors in sentence structure, grammar, mechanics, word choice, or usage seldom interfere with the clarity and effectiveness of the communication.	Adequate conceptual understanding of the topic is demonstrated. Concepts and important ideas pertinent to the topic are accurately used. Logic and language appropriate to the topic are evident. Examples are used to adequately illustrate the concepts presented. Conclusions are generally logical and accurate.
4.	A clear pattern of deductive or inductive reasoning enhancing the persuasive effort is evident. The position is clear and well substantiated. All points are logically supported.	Information to support the topic is carefully selected and skillfully utilized. Information highly relevant to the topic is provided. Information is detailed, accurate, credible, and verifiable. The content and scope of information fully support the topic. Sources of information are fully and clearly communicated.	The presentation is highly effective. The presentation is highly appropriate for the purpose and topic. Ideas are thoroughly developed and well organized. Sentence structure, grammar, mechanics, word choice, and usage enhance the clarity and effectiveness of the communication.	Superior conceptual understanding of the topic is demonstrated. Concepts and important ideas pertinent to the topic are skillfully applied. Logic and language appropriate to the topic are present throughout. Examples used enhance understanding of the concepts presented. Conclusions are logical and accurate, and may be insightful.