1. AP Seminar IWA Directions & Rubric
Spring 2018

2. Main Directions
Read and analyze the provided stimulus materials to identify thematic connections among the sources and possible areas for inquiry. ✔
Compose a research question of your own prompted by analysis of the stimulus materials. ✔
Gather information from a range of additional sources representing a variety of perspectives, including scholarly work. ✔
Analyze, evaluate, and select evidence. Interpret the evidence to develop a well-reasoned argument that answers the research question and conveys your perspective.
Throughout you research, continually revisit and refine your original research question to ensure that the evidence you gather addresses your purpose and focus.
Identify opposing or alternate views and consider their implications and/or limitations as you develop resolutions, conclusions, or solutions to your research question

3. Directions, con’t
Compose a coherent, convincing and well-written argument in which you:
Identify and explain the relationship of your inquiry to a theme or connection among at least two of the stimulus materials prompted by your reading.
Incorporate at least one of the stimulus materials (as evidence).
Place your research question in context.
Include evidence form a range of sources.
Establish an argument that links claims and evidence.
Provide specific resolutions, conclusions and/or solutions.
Evaluate objections, limitations or competing perspectives and arguments.
Cite all sources you have used, including stimulus materials, and include a list of works cited or a bibliography.
Use correct grammar and style.
Do a word count and keep under the 2000-word limit.

4. Important Things to Note:
Even if you use a stimulus material, and mention it in one sentence, you can still receive a 0!
GOAL: IF your reference were to be deleted, your LOR/argument would be weaker
This row is 5 points or NOTHING! Easy to lose points!

5. Important Things to Note:
It should be clear to your reader as to WHY this is an important topic to discuss
Check at the end to make sure your research aligns with your question
This is another row that is 5 points or nothing! Be careful!

6. Important Things to Note:
Now we have 3 options to receive points: 0, 6, or 9
Main focus = multiple perspectives
High score = elaboration & places sources in dialogue together
Avoid opinion/subjective perspectives!

7. ROW 3 IN A NUTSHELL
Do not just describe and summarize sources, claims, and perspectives
ANALYZE, CRITICALLY DISCUSS
Strengths, weaknesses of claims and perspectives (Careful though, this is argumentative, not discursive)
Possible implications and limitations – explain the significance of quotes and claims

8. Important Things to Note:
Still 3 score options, but now worth more points: 0, 8, or 12 => Big Jump!
Focus = evidence-based argument
Middle will have evidence and claims, but the writer does not explain the connection to WHY the evidence supports the claim.
High score will have SIGN POSTS
Check that solution/conclusion ANSWERS the question

9. ROW 4 – Good example
Don’t just summarize quotes, evidence, and sources. Explain why it is significant, what does it represent, how does it support your claim.
Explain who/what your source is, why are they relevant, what do they do, why are they academic/credible/reliable/an expert in the field.

10. ROW 4 – Bad example
Don’t just summarize quotes, evidence, and sources. Explain why it is significant, what does it represent, how does it support your claim.
Explain who/what your source is, why are they relevant, what do they do, why are they academic/credible/reliable/an expert in the field.

11. Important Things to Note:
Back down to 9 point max: 0, 6, or 9
Focus = credible sources & relevant evidence
Emphasis on scholarly work in high score & evidence connections
High score also looks for more thorough vetting of sources

12. ROW 5 – Good vs. Bad

13. Important Things to Note:
We are back down to 5 points, but this time you get the option to receive a 0, 3, or 5!
Make sure ALL the in-text citations show up on your works cited, and also vice versa.
Make sure you do not have any quotes sitting on its own – always include them in a sentence.

14. Important Things to Note: EDIT YOUR ESSAY!
You can earn up to 3 points, the easiest 3 points of the entire paper!
Ask a friend to read it, your parents, another teacher, or an old AP Seminar student!