Understanding Paper 2

​Paper 2 Rubric

By Brooke Clark

Take one minute to look at this rubric holistically.

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Paper 2 Rubric

Multiple Choice

Out of how many points is Paper 2 graded?

• 20

• 25

• 30

• 35

Multiple Choice

Out of how many criteria is Paper 2 graded?

• 3

• 4

• 5

• 6

Take a moment to look at criterion A: Knowledge and Understanding

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Multiple Choice

According to the progression of the rubric, which of the following actions is NOT a part of reaching the highest levels of achievement?

• Analyzing how the deeper meanings (implications) of the text relate to the specific question.

• Proving a convincing and well-supported argument

• Providing a detailed summary of the plot and character names to show you read the book.

• Showing a deep, "perceptive" understanding of the works in relation to the prompt.

Take a moment to look at criteria B

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Multiple Choice

In criterion B1, to avoid being stuck in the "descriptive" or "reliant on description" lower bands, which of these actions must a student prioritize?

• Listing every literary device found in the works to show a wide range of analysis.

• Explaining how specific authorial choices—like structure or setting—actually work to shape the reader's understanding of the meaning.

• Summarizing the plot in detail so the examiner understands the context of the textual features.

• Compare and contrast the authors' main ideas.

Multiple Choice

In criterion B2, when comparing two different works, which student action is required to move from a "superficial" analysis to a "very good" analysis?

• Writing one full paragraph about Work A and then a separate, unrelated paragraph about Work B.

• Listing three facts about the first book in relation to the prompt and three facts about the second book.

• Focusing only on the plot similarities while ignoring the differences in how the authors use style.

• Consistently examining the meaningful ways the two works are similar or different in relation to the prompt.

Take a moment to look at criterion C

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Multiple Choice

According to the rubric, which of the following writing habits would PREVENT a student from reaching the highest mark band for focus and organization?

• Maintaining a "clear and sustained" focus on the specific prompt from the introduction all the way to the conclusion.

• Ensuring that the amount of time and analysis spent on each of the two works is "well-balanced."

• Connecting ideas in a "cogent" manner so that each paragraph builds logically toward a persuasive argument.

• Including "some lapses" in focus because you have a creative idea or having an "unbalanced" treatment of the two works because one work is more closely connected to the prompt than the other.

Multiple Choice

Overall: Looking at the rubric as a whole, which of the following best describes the "ultimate goal" a student must achieve to earn high marks across all criteria?

• To provide a highly detailed summary of two books, ensuring the examiner knows every plot point while using complex vocabulary to organize the essay.

• To use a clear, logical structure to argue how the authors' specific stylistic choices create deeper meanings in relation to the prompt, while maintaining a balanced comparison and contrast between both works.

• To focus primarily on one "main" book while using a second book briefly to show that you have read more than one text in the course.

• To list as many literary devices as possible (like metaphors and similes) to prove you can identify "authorial choices" regardless of whether they relate to the prompt.

Yes, B!

To use a clear, logical structure to argue how the authors' specific stylistic choices create deeper meanings, while maintaining a balanced comparison between both works.

• From Criterion A: You need a "persuasive interpretation" (the What and Why).

• From Criterion B1: You need "insightful analysis" of "authorial choices" to prove your interpretation.

• From Criterion B2: You need to comment on "similarities and/or differences" in relation to the prompt.

• From Criterion C: You need a "well-balanced" and "cogent" structure to hold the whole comparison together.

Multiple Choice

Overall: how long do you have to write this essay on May 8th?

• 2 hours and 15 minutes

• 1 hour and 30 minutes

• 1 hour and 45 minutes

• 1 hour

Open Ended

What questions do you have about how to score well on Paper 2?