The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian has appeared on lists of frequently challenged books in the United States for years. That gives teachers an unusual opportunity: students can read a book and then write about the debate over whether it belongs in schools. The assignment feels real, and students tend to have opinions.

It also puts the grader in a delicate position. Some students will defend the book, others will argue it should be restricted, and some will land in between. Your responsibility is to score the quality of the argument, not the side chosen.

That principle needs to be explicit in your rubric and in your language to students. If they suspect the grade depends on agreeing with the teacher, they will write what they think you want to hear.

This guide walks through how to build criteria and give feedback that treat every position with the same rigor.

Grade Reasoning, Not Conclusions

A strong argumentative essay states a clear position, supports it with evidence, and addresses opposing views fairly. Those features can be scored regardless of the conclusion. Tell students that a well-supported essay against the book can outscore a weak one in favor of it.

• A clear, arguable claim about whether the book should be taught or restricted.
• Evidence drawn from the text itself, not from rumor or assumption.
• Use of outside sources, such as reasoned commentary from educators or librarians, if assigned.
• A fair summary of the strongest opposing argument.
• A response to that opposing view that engages it rather than dismissing it.

Require Students to Have Read the Book

One common weakness is arguing about the book without engaging with it. Ask for specific scenes to support any claim about content, such as language or difficult subject matter. That keeps the debate grounded in what the novel actually contains.

It also gives you something concrete to check. A claim about the book that does not match the text should lose credit in the evidence category.

Keep Your Own Position Out of the Comments

Feedback should focus on structure and reasoning. Comments like "your counterargument is stronger than your main point" help students. Comments that reveal your view of the book can shape how students write next time.

If you are unsure, read your comments back and ask whether a student on the other side would find them fair. That simple test catches most problems.

Use Tools to Support Consistency

Because this assignment touches a contested issue, consistency matters even more than usual. Rubric-based AI grading applies the same criteria to every essay, which can help reduce the effect of a grader's own leanings. You review the results and make the final call.

Sharing your rubric in advance also builds trust. Students see that the standards are about writing, and they feel freer to take a position they believe in.