AP English Literature
Generic Rubric
Score
Level 9
Level 8
Level 7
Level 6
Level 5
Level 4
Level 3
Level 2
Level 1
Level 0 or -
Classroom Grade
A+
A
B+/B
B-/C+
C
C-/D+
D
F
F
0
Criteria and Explanation
Writers of these eloquent essays clearly understand the text. The best essays accurately analyze the text (using specific textual evidence) and the methods by which the author achieves his/her purpose including tone, structure, diction, point of view, or contrast. Writers of these essays demonstrate a sophisticated mastery of syntax, diction and organization. While the writing need not be flawless, it must reveal the writer’s ability to address the prompt with flair and efficiency.
These essays also accurately discuss the text, but they do so with less insight than do the essays in the 9-8 range. They may misinterpret one part of the text or may be less specific. Their discussion of the how (the techniques employed) will be less well developed. While these essays are well written with a strong sense of audience, they are less sophisticated than the top-range essays. Lucid and insightful, these essays fulfill the task.
These essays are adequately written, yet superficial, simplistic of imprecise. They do not demonstrate stylistic maturity or confident control over the elements of composition. These essays discuss the text vaguely or inadequately analyze the author’s techniques. They may cite stylistic techniques without sufficiently supporting how they work in developing the author’s purpose.
Essays in this range are adequately written, but either summarize or misinterpret the work. Even a well-written plot summary will receive no higher than a 4. These essays may simply list stylistic techniques, providing no discussion, evidence or support, or they may omit analysis. The writing also may be significantly flawed with syntactical errors and lack of organization. Note: Essays that refer to the movie version of the work will automatically score a 3 or lower.
These essays are poorly written, may fail to respond adequately to the prompt and/or show consistent errors in diction, spelling or syntax. They may use the passage merely as a springboard for an essay on a general topic. There is serious misinterpretation of the text. They are often too short, replete with errors or illegible.
Restates the prompt or is unrelated