2025-26 Persuasive Essay Prompt and Rubric

Writing Prompt

According to Psychologist Carol Dweck, who studies human motivation, having a growth mindset improves a desire for learning, improvement, and a willingness to learn through mistakes; whereas a person with a fixed mindset believes ability and intelligence are pre-determined and cannot be changed. People with a growth mindset embrace challenges, learn from criticism, and see failure as an opportunity to improve. Those with a fixed mindset, however, often avoid challenges, give up easily, and view mistakes as signs of inadequacy. Research shows that adopting a growth mindset can lead to greater achievement, resilience, and success in a person's personal and professional life.

Why is having a growth mindset important for success in school, work, and even in personal relationships?

Write a four-paragraph persuasive essay (300-600 words) clearly explaining why a growth mindset is important. Each paragraph should be a minimum of five sentences. Support your position with reasoning and examples taken from your readings, studies, experience, or observations.

The first paragraph will include an introduction to your topic with a clear thesis stating your position, grabbing the reader’s attention in an interesting way. Remember to engage your reader with vivid language rather than just dictating to the reader in a mechanical way. The first paragraph is a tool to open your essay and hook your reader.

The two body paragraphs supporting your position that follow the introduction need to include the two “why” points listed in your thesis/claim statement. Make sure each paragraph convinces the reader why a growth mindset is important. Think critically about your reader and your points. This means you may need to consider a skeptical reader who could possibly disagree with you in some instances. Don’t forget that each paragraph should have a topic sentence that introduces the main point for that paragraph. Finally, each of your paragraphs should offer a separate point and be independent of each other but work together coherently.

Wrap up your essay with a concluding paragraph, which should include a sentence that gives a final, interesting thought on your topic.

Rubric

Your persuasive essay will be graded using five separate categories: Persuasive Elements, Stated Thesis, Supporting Evidence, Paragraph Development, and Grammar & Punctuation.

Each of these five items will be rated as Proficient, Developing, or Needs Improvement.

Proficient means that you have met the standards of an effective response. Developing means you have partially met the standards of a response, but it needs some revision. Needs Improvement means you did not meet the standards of a response.

You must earn a grade of C or better on this essay, combined with a score of 90 on both Stages in your EdReady study path, to be eligible for an exemption from developmental education courses in accordance with Texas Education Code §51.338(e)(f) for freshman-level reading/writing courses at Texas Institutions of Higher Education that partnered with the school district or an Institution of Higher Education that signed the Texas College Bridge memorandum of understanding.

RUBRIC
	Proficient	Developing	Needs Improvement	Score
Points Value	20	12	1
Persuasive Elements	Includes a position statement in response to the question in the writing prompt, clear evidence to support that position, and cohesive organization of ideas.	Includes key components but is missing some elements of persuasion.	Does not include adequate aspects of persuasion.
Stated Thesis	Includes an arguable position statement in clear response to the question posed in the writing prompt.	Introduces a general idea in response to the question posed in the writing prompt, but the overall position is vague and/or misaligned with stated order or content in the body of the essay.	Does not include a position statement and/or paragraphs lack adequate support.
Supporting Evidence	Uses logical and appropriate evidence to support the main idea and prove the stated position on the topic.	Partially uses examples as support; details require additional relevant or logical evidence.	Does not develop or provide examples to support or defend the stated position on the topic.
Paragraph Development (strength of introduction, conclusion, and coherency)	Smoothly connects ideas between/ within paragraphs in a purposeful manner; introduction and conclusion make logical and effective statements about the topic. Includes a minimum of 5 sentences per paragraph.	Ideas between/ within paragraphs are partially connected or moderately purposeful; introduction and conclusion are present but not effective. Includes fewer than 5 sentences per paragraph.	Missing connection between ideas; purpose of content is unclear; incomplete introduction and conclusion. Includes fewer than 5 sentences per paragraph.
Grammar & Punctuation	Sentences are generally free from grammar, punctuation, and structure errors as expected in academic writing.	Sentences need further editing and/or contain some grammar, punctuation, and structure errors that interfere with the flow of ideas.	Displays little attention to editing or correct grammar, punctuation, and structure as expected in academic writing.