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.