UNIT 1 ARGUMENTATIVE ESSAY

STEP 1 : EYE ON TECHNOLOGY

11th GradePerformance Assessment

Booklet

Terminology of Argumentative Texts

Term Example from Marion’s Essay

audience Anyone who drives; public transportation

purpose To persuade the audience to agree that we are not ready for driverless cars on our roads

precise claim “Who exactly is legally responsible when a car is driving itself and something goes wrong? Legal advisors talk of an “operator” responsible for the car, even if that person is not physically present. I think this kind of potential legal confusion arises from the fact that we are simply not yet read for the idea of a driverless car.

reason 1. “A car can be a lethal weapon, and driving a car is a big responsibility.”

2. “Furthermore, driverless cars will make it more attractive to commute by car, adding to energy consumption and global warming.”

Evidence 1. “Road hazards, computer glitches, bad weather, mechanical failure; any of these can be ingredients in a recipe for disaster.”

2. “We need better public transportation, smarter urban design, and more flexibility for electronic commuting.”

Terminology of Argumentative Texts

Term Example from Marion’s Essay

opposing claim

3. Going driverless, we are told, will be a huge gain for society in terms of safety, productivity, and finance. (The entire paragraph that follows agrees with opponents.)

Rebuttal (and evidence)

3. “Technology soothsayers tell us that driverless cars are the way of the future. Sure, they admit that there are some technological glitches and legal puzzles yet to solve, but soon the highways will be full of people texting, watching movies, knitting, or napping as they drive to work (or rather, are driven).”

More Evidence

3. “Even for someone like me who grew up in an era when there was a new gadget or app emerging all the time, it is difficult to accept the idea of a car without a driver.”

Conclusion “Before these goals have been achieved, driverless cars should not be allowed.”

Score Marion’s Essay

Domain Points Teacher’s Score

Consensus

Score

Consensus

Score

Consensus

Score

Consensus

Score

Purpose, Focus, and Organization 0 - 4 3   

Evidence and Elaboration

0 - 4  3  

Conventions of Standard English 0 - 2  2  

ESSAY SCORE: 0 - 10  8