How AP Essays Are Scored

Readers Each essay is read by two readers (college and secondary school English teachers who are specially trained) If scores differ by more than one number, a third reader evaluates the essay

What are readers told to do? Read each essay only once Read quickly and assign grade immediately Read mainly for what has been done well Take everything into account at once: organization, word choice, mechanics, etc. Ignore poor handwriting as much as possible

What are readers told to do? NOT penalize a well-developed but unfinished essay NOT to use length as a criterion (but inevitably, the most well-developed essays tend to be on the longer side) To remember that an essay containing even a marginal response to the question should be judged on the logic of its argument To remember that each essay is a first draft written under pressure, in 40 minutes

The 9 essay Demonstrates exceptional control of effective writing techniques Is clear, interesting, and correct (errors are inconsequential, if present at all) Analyzes rhetorical/stylistic devices with precision Refers frequently to the text, directly or indirectly, using examples to succinctly describe how such matters as tone, diction, etc. contribute to a passage’s meaning Or, presents a persuasive argument cogently and convincingly, using appropriate evidence to convey a clearly articulated point of view

The 5 essay May adequately answer the question but lack full development Ideas may be presented clearly but unsupported May be well-organized and convey writer’s ideas, but lapses in diction or syntax weaken message and suggest lack of control of effective writing techniques

The 4 essay Responds inadequately to the question May analyze secondary stylistic/rhetorical strategies, missing main point May be superficial, or ideas may be developed incoherently (rambling, bouncing) Prose is immature, demonstrating lack of control of organization, word choice, syntax, etc.

The 0 essay Indicates a blank page, an essay not at all on assigned topic, or a simple paraphrase of prompt