1. How to Write an Excellent AP English Language and Composition Essay
1. Organization
Fully developed introduction
Effective lead-in sentence
Incorporates background information
Clear thesis
Clear topic sentences directly related to thesis
Clear and logical argument

2. How to Write an Excellent AP English Language and Composition Essay
Sophisticated use of transitions (not redundant in use of transitions)
Flows (word choice, punctuation usage, etc.)
Paragraphs move forward in creating the main idea
Topical Conclusion that extends on main ideas, not merely summarizing them

3. How to Write an Excellent AP English Language and Composition Essay
2. Content
Original and opinionated thesis which addresses the prompt
Substantive response to the prompt
Strong text references
A plethora of evidence
Clarity in choice of examples/evidence

4. How to Write an Excellent AP English Language and Composition Essay
Commentary connects with evidence and consistently demonstrates insight
Consistency in regards to evidence and thesis
Reveal in-depth understanding of text; explains evidence choices clearly
Essay is thought provoking: basically, is original and not a form piece of writing

5. How to Write an Excellent AP English Language and Composition Essay
3. Language/Style/Mechanics
Powerful, specific, sophisticated vocabulary
Vivid verb usage
Words are cohesive and flow
Complex and varied sentence structure
No fragments, run-ons, or comma splices
Virtually no spelling, punctuation, or minor grammatical errors

6. Peer and/or Self Proofreading Response
1. Assignment/Topic: Does the piece fulfill the requirements of the assignment? How might the writer better fulfill them? Is the piece thought provoking? Why or why not?

7. Peer and/or Self Proofreading Response
2. Title and Introduction: Is the title appropriate for the assignment? Does the introduction gain the reader’s interest? Why or why not?

8. Peer and/or Self Proofreading Response
3. Thesis and Purpose: Does the piece fulfill the “promise” that the author has stated? Is the purpose clear? Does the draft address the purpose? Why or why not?

9. Peer and/or Self Proofreading Response
4. Audience: Who is the author’s intended audience? Describe their characteristics. How does the piece appeal to them? What does the writer expect from his/her audience? How do you know?

10. Peer and/or Self Proofreading Response
5. Persona: Does the author have a “voice”? Is it suitable for the piece, given the specific audience? Mark places where the writer’s voice emerges. Really, what you are looking for is personality within the piece.

11. Peer and/or Self Proofreading Response
6. Exigency: What is the problem (or context) that calls for author to take immediate action? What needs does this piece address? What issue is the author toiling with and helping us to understand?

12. Peer and/or Self Proofreading Response
7. Rhetorical Stance: Does the writer take a clear and consistent stance on the issue at hand? What words or phrases indicate this? How does the writer connect his or her cause to the interests of the audience? How is the author convincing?

13. Peer and/or Self Proofreading Response
8. Supporting Details: Which point is the author’s strongest? Which point is most interesting? List the points in order of strength. Which point(s) require more evidence, examples, or details? Are there and details or points that are irrelevant?

14. Peer and/or Self Proofreading Response
9. Paragraphs: Are the paragraphs clearly and fully developed? Are transitions effective, providing cohesion and flow? Is there any redundancy?

15. Peer and/or Self Proofreading Response
10. Organization: Is the form most appropriate for the topic? Is it suitable to the genre? Offer possible alternatives. Are the arguments in logical order (the strongest should be last)? Are the transitions between paragraphs effective? Offer some varying alternatives.

16. Peer and/or Self Proofreading Response
11. Sentence Structure: Does the author use varying sentence structure properly and at appropriate times. Does the author achieve emphasis through diction and sentence structure? Is the sentence structure effective?

17. Peer and/or Self Proofreading Response
12. Style and Linguistic Choices: Does the author use appropriate style for the piece? Does the paper have style, or does it lack voice and personality? Do they use a wide-ranging vocabulary? Does the author use active verbs? We will get to schemes and tropes a little later.

18. Peer and/or Self Proofreading Response
13. Tone: What is the tone of the piece? How do you know? Is it appropriate? Explain and provide examples.

19. Peer and/or Self Proofreading Response
14. Conclusion: Is the conclusion powerful and memorable? Does it merely summarize ideas, or does it elaborate on the main and key points presented in the piece? Does it express some sort of revelation or discovery the author had found by writing the piece?

20. Peer and/or Self Proofreading Response
15. Overall: What are the main strengths and weaknesses of the draft? Have you been impacted? Why or why not? Does the reader peak your interest in the subject? How so or why not? Has the piece fulfilled the writer’s expectations? How so?