Download AP Language and Composition

AP English Language and Composition
Mr. Rebolini
Scoring Guide (Argumentative Essay)
Grade
A(4550)
B(4044)
C(3539)
Failin
g
Ideas
Organization
 Successfully establishes a
 Thoughtful
controlling idea regarding the
structure.
writer’s position on capital
 Excellent
punishment.
introduction
 Presents a sophisticated
and
argument.
conclusion.
 Uses a wide range of supporting
 Logical
evidence from In Cold Blood to
sequencing.
other sources.
 Smooth
transitions
 Effectively utilizes multiple
appeals in his/her argument.
and
illustrative
 Includes a concession.
connections
made.
 Establishes a controlling idea
 Structure
regarding the writer’s position on capital
allows reader
punishment.
to follow
without
 .Presents a sound argument.
confusion.
 Supporting evidence is

Adequate
sufficient but not wide ranging.
conclusion
 Some use of appeals is evident.
and
introduction
 Effective
transitions but
connections
are
inconsistent.
 No controlling idea is
 Structure
presented.
leaves reader
confused at
 The argument is difficult if not
times.
impossible to follow.
 Weak
 Supporting evidence is
introduction
inconclusive.
and
 No appeals are evident.
conclusion.
 Little or no
transitions
and
connections
evident.
 Trait not reflected in writing.
 Trait not
reflected in
writing.
Voice
 Writing reflective
of individual
character.
 Tone contributes
personality to text
but is appropriate
to audience and
purpose.
 Reader feels
personally
engaged.







Individual
character evident
at times.
Tone is evident
but writing lacks
enthusiasm.
Reader does not
consistently feel
engaged.
Writing is
monotone and
devoid of
individual
character.
Little engagement
felt by the reader.
Writing is
mechanical.
Trait not reflected
in writing.
Grade
A(45-50)
B(40-44)
Word Choice
 Powerful, lively
verbs are used.
 Clear and
descriptive
modifiers are
used.
 Precise nouns
are used.
 Word choice
sounds natural
and enhances
meaning.



C(35-39)



Failing

Some variation
in verb choice
but generally
lacking in
energy and flair.
Modifiers, at
times, colorful
and descriptive.
Word choice is
correct and
communicates
basic meaning.
Limited variety
in verb choice
evident.
Limited use of
any modifiers.
Clichés evident
and word choice
leaves reader
with unclear
picture.
Trait not
reflected in
writing.
Sentence Fluency
 Variety of
sentences
used.
 Purposeful
and various
sentence
openings.
 Sentences of
various
lengths
employed.
 Sentences
have natural
rhythm and
cadence.
 Some
sentence
variety
evident.
 Some variety
in sentence
openings.
 Sentences
generally of
same length.
 Some
sentence
rhythm
evident but
more often
mechanical.
 Choppy
sentences
appear in
writing.
 Subject verb
openings
predominate.
 Writing is
mechanical.

Trait not
reflected in
writing.
Conventions
 Correct use of
punctuation.
 Ready to be
published.
 Usage errors not
evident.
 Well-developed
paragraphs evident.







Some errors in
punctuation
evident.
Some usage errors
evident.
Paragraphs are
generally well
developed.
Punctuation errors
mar understanding.
Usage errors
obscure meaning.
Little or no
development in
paragraphs.
Trait not reflected
in writing.