AP 4 Point Scale – Timed or Prepared Essay
In a Timed Essay, the idea is to reward what you have done not punish for what is missing(like a conclusion—missing a clear connection to the essay topic, that’s serious). Errors in spelling and grammar are not the end of the world. In a Prepared Essay, missing pieces will affect your score as will spelling and grammar errors. In both cases, misreads move the essay down in scoring. This correlates to the 9 Point Scale.
4: Insightful, clearly developed organization, accurate examples from the text and thoughtful content, all parts of the question/assignment dealt with, language use is clear and eloquent, may still have minor errors in usage. This is a 9 in AP terms.
3.5 is less well done than a 4. This is a score of 7 or 8.
3: Clear ideas, accurate use of the text, all parts of the essay question/assignment are dealt with, some underdevelopment of support or content, language use is clear if at times prosaic, may still have some errors in usage. This is a score of 6.
2.5 is less well done than a 3. A satisfactory effort. This is a score of 5.
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2: Organization is adequate, attempts to deal with all parts of the essay/assignment, may have to infer some ideas but references clear to the text, content is satisfactory, minor problems—name of character but not characteristics or events, development is inconsistent but still makes sense,shows some understanding of the complexity of the text as it relates to the essay question. This is a score of 3.
1.5: Essay lacks clearconnection to question/assignment, may have decent organization and flow. Some problems with development of ideas – vague, confuses topic with themewith 1.5 more so than 2. Tends to be summary for the most part or lack analysis; may have some problems misread although not major. This is a score of 1 or 2.
1: Oh dear! Lack any connection to the essay/assignment or is just cursory with one word or two. Lacks organizational focus or clear point, misreads mar the essay, language choice and grammar interfere with read, loss of focus, vague generalities. This is bad, folks. This is a score of 1.
O: No mention of the text or assigned task. Does not address the essay/assignment in any way.