Debate Case Grading Rubric
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Debate Case Grading Rubric
95-100 superior case: extremely well-written, well-organized, original, typed case
of five double-spaced pages (size 12 font with 1" margins) with
three solid contentions*;
with definitions of key terms;
very well-developed and original analysis;
most/all contentions heavily supported by evidence
and expert opinion
90-95 excellent case: very well-written, well-organized, original,
typed case of four or five double-spaced pages
(size 12 font with 1" margins) with
three solid contentions;
with definitions of key terms;
well-developed and original analysis;
most contentions heavily supported by evidence
and expert opinion (or all contentions supported by some
evidence and expert opinion)
85-90 good case: well-written, well-organized, original, typed case of three (or more)
double-spaced pages (size 12 font with 1" margins) with
two or more solid contentions; very well-developed and original
analysis; most contentions supported by evidence
and expert opinion
80-85 satisfactory case: well-written, well-organized, original, typed case of three (or more)
double-spaced pages (size 12 font with 1" margins) with
two or more solid contentions; some well-developed and original
analysis; some contentions supported by evidence
and expert opinion
65-80 case needing
development: original, typed case of one or two double-spaced pages
(size 12 font with 1" margins) with one or more contentions;
some level of development and/or support by relevant evidence
and expert opinion
0 (zero): no case submitted (or case submitted five or more days late)
Late cases will be rated five points lower for each class day which the case is past the due date. Cases five days late or more will not be accepted and will receive a grade of a zero.
A solid contention is an argument with clear, logical, and persuasive reasoning which offers clear support for the resolution (and in Lincoln-Douglas debate cases, the value) and provides substantial development by means of an array of relevant evidence, expert opinion, and sound logic.