Performance Measures

Formative Assessment

Formative assessment includes real-time feedback during class discussions, as well as low-stakes assignments like the first discussion board assignment. The class discussion is not graded or formally evaluated, but it is an opportunity for the instructor to review the "rules" of thesis statements with the learners' practice attempts. The first discussion board is a participation grade; learners must simply complete the assignment per the instructions to earn the points. This gives students the opportunity to practice with a low-stakes reward.

Summative Assessment

Summative assessment occurs at the end of the instructional unit after the outline assignment. In the summative assessment, learners will write a complete argumentative essay (in this case an evaluation), which will be graded on the strength of the argument. The thesis statement of the essay will be assessed according to the four "rules."

The Four Rules of Argumentative Thesis Statements

1. A good argumentative thesis is focused and not too broad.

2. A good argumentative thesis is centered on a debatable topic.

3. A good argumentative thesis picks a side.

4. A good thesis makes claims that will be supported later in the paper.