AP Language Argument Essay

| SG 7

AP English Language Scoring Rubric, Free-Response Question 1-3

Scoring Rubric for Question 3: Argument Essay

6 points

Reporting
Category

Scoring Criteria

Row A

Thesis

(0-1 points)

4.B

0 points

For any of the following:

•There is no defensible thesis.

•The intended thesis only restates the prompt.

•The intended thesis provides a summary of the issue with no apparent
or coherent claim.

•There is a thesis, but it does not respond to the prompt.

1 point

Responds to the prompt with a thesis that presents a defensible position.

Decision Rules and Scoring Notes

Responses that do not earn this point:

•Only restate the prompt.

•Do not take a position or the position is vague or must be inferred.

•State an obvious fact rather than making a claim that requires a
defense.

Responses that earn this point:

•Responds to the prompt rather than restate or rephrase the prompt, and
the thesis clearly takes a position rather than just stating that there are
pros/cons.

Additional Notes:

•The thesis may be more than one sentence, provided the sentences are in close proximity.

•The thesis may be anywhere within the response.

•The thesis may establish a line of reasoning that structures the essay, but it needn’t do so to earn the thesis point.

•A thesis that meets the criteria can be awarded the point whether or not the rest of the response successfully supports that line of reasoning.

| SG 8

AP English Language Scoring Rubric, Free-Response Question 1-3

Reporting
Category

Scoring Criteria

Row B

Evidence

AND

Commentary

(0-4 points)

2.A

4.A

6.A

6.B

6.C

0 points

Simply restates thesis (if
present), repeats provided
information, or offers
information irrelevant to
the prompt.

1 point

EVIDENCE:
Provides evidence that is
mostly general.

AND

COMMENTARY:
Summarizes the evidence
but does not explain how
the evidence supports the
argument.

2 points

EVIDENCE:
Provides some specific,
relevant evidence.

AND

COMMENTARY:
Explains how some of the
evidence relates to the
student’s argument, but
no line of reasoning is
established, or the line of
reasoning is faulty.

3 points

EVIDENCE:
Provides specific evidence to
support all claims in a line of
reasoning.

AND

COMMENTARY:
Explains how some of the
evidence supports a line of
reasoning.

4 points

EVIDENCE:
Provides specific
evidence to support
all claims in a line of
reasoning.

AND

COMMENTARY:
Consistently explains how
the evidence supports a
line of reasoning.

Decision Rules and Scoring Notes

Typical responses that
earn 0 points:

•Are incoherent or do not
address the prompt.

•May be just opinion with
no evidence or evidence
that is irrelevant.

Typical responses that earn
1 point:

•Tend to focus on summary
of evidence rather than
specific details.

Typical responses that earn
2 points:

•Consist of a mix of
specific evidence and
broad generalities.

•May contain some
simplistic, inaccurate, or
repetitive explanations
that don’t strengthen the
argument.

•May make one point well
but either do not make
multiple supporting claims
or do not adequately
support more than one
claim.

•Do not explain the
connections or
progression between the
student’s claims, so a line
of reasoning is not clearly
established.

Typical responses that earn
3 points:

•Uniformly offer evidence
to support claims.

•Focus on the importance
of specific details to build
an argument.

•Organize an argument
as a line of reasoning
composed of multiple
supporting claims.

•Commentary may fail to
integrate some evidence
or fail to support a key
claim.

Typical responses that
earn 4 points:

•Uniformly offer
evidence to support
claims.

•Focus on the
importance of specific
details to build an
argument.

•Organize and support
an argument as a
line of reasoning
composed of multiple
supporting claims,
each with adequate
evidence that is clearly
explained.

Additional Notes:

•Writing that suffers from grammatical and/or mechanical errors that interfere with communication cannot earn the fourth point in this row.

| SG 9

AP English Language Scoring Rubric, Free-Response Question 1-3

Reporting
Category

Scoring Criteria

Row C

Sophistication

(0-1 points)

2.A

4.C

6.B

8.A

8.B

8.C

0 points

Does not meet the criteria for one point.

1 point

Demonstrates sophistication of thought and/or a complex understanding of the
rhetorical situation.

Decision Rules and Scoring Notes

Responses that do not earn this point:

•Attempt to contextualize their argument, but such attempts
consist of predominantly sweeping generalizations.

•Only hint or suggest other arguments.

•Use complicated or complex sentences or language that is
ineffective because it does not enhance the student's argument.

Responses that earn this point may demonstrate sophistication of thought
and/or a complex understanding of the rhetorical situation by doing any of the
following:

1.Crafting a nuanced argument by consistently identifying and exploring
complexities or tensions.

2.Articulating the implications or limitations of an argument (either the
student’s argument or an argument related to the prompt) by situating it
within a broader context.

3.Making effective rhetorical choices that consistently strengthen the force
and impact of the student’s argument.

4.Employing a style that is consistently vivid and persuasive.

Additional Notes:

•This point should be awarded only if the sophistication of thought or complex understanding is part of the student’s argument, not merely a phrase
or reference.