1. General Argument
ADQ

2. Purpose To show breadth and depth of cultural knowledge.
Stuff about Stuff
Make an argument (agree, disagree or qualify)
Have an opinion
Clearly state your opinion
Clearly support your opinion
Write coherently and with control
Prove / support your thesis with good examples.
Solid literature
Genuine history
Meaningful personal experience
Philosophy, psychology, science, etc.

3. Tips for Higher Scores Avoid first person Use more than one example
Use it only in personal experience examples
Use more than one example
Two is best
Three is better if you can support and develop each one
Avoid “listing” examples; only use them if you can develop and write about them in depth
Use unique and meaningful examples
Think outside the box
Address the opposition
Be careful not to contradict yourself
Discuss the opposing side in order to tear it down and/or show how your side is better.

4. Prompt Look at Thomas Paine prompt from 2011.
Look for Paine’s point of view.
Make sure to answer all parts of question

5. Scoring Scores range from 0 – 9. 6 = Adequate 8 = Effective
Evidence and explanations are APPROPRIATE and SUFFICIENT.
Argument is COHERENT and adequately DEVELOPED.
Writing may contain lapses, but prose is generally clear.
Writing is graded as a rough draft.
5 = 6 with minor problems
Roller coaster essay
Uneven, inconsistent, or limited.
8 = Effective
Evidence and explanations are APPROPRIATE and CONVINCING
Argument is ESPECIALLY COHERENT and WELL DEVELOPED
Prose demonstrates a CONSISTENT ability to CONTROL the elements of effective writing.

6. Scoring, cont. 4 = Inadequate 7 = 6+
More COMPLETE explanation
More THOROUGH development
More MATURE prose style
Not as convincing or well developed as an 8
4 = Inadequate
Evidence or explanations are INAPPROPRIATE, INSUFFICIENT, or LESS CONVINCING.
Argument may have LAPSES IN COHERENCE or be INADEQUATELY DEVELOPED.
Prose may be LESS CONSISTENT.
3 = 4-
Less success in arguing the point
Less maturity in writing

7. Scoring, Cont. 2 = Little Success
MISUNDERSTAND the prompt or substitute a SIMPLER task by responding to the prompt TANGENTIALLY
Explanation is UNRELATED, INACCURATE, or INAPPROPRIATE
Prose demonstrates CONSISTENT WEAKNESSES
Grammatical Problems
Lack of Development or Organization
Lack of Coherence and Control
1 = 2-
Underdeveloped, simplistic, weak in control, lacking in coherence and development
Too short!

8. Scoring, Cont. --- 9 On-topic response that just repeats the prompt.
On-topic response that just repeats the prompt.
---
Blank response
Completely off-topic 9
The skies open and angels sing.
Very, very, very rare.
In two years of teaching AP, I have awarded one 9.
Azalia Sprecher

9. Scoring
9 = 105
8 = 100
7 = 95
6 = 90
5 = 85
4 = 78
3 = 73
2 = 68
1 = 63
0 = 0
-- = 0

10. Mrs. Mehrens’ Code QOEGV Q = Question O = Organization E = Evidence
Is there a thesis?
Did your thesis address the prompt?
O = Organization
Are there paragraphs?
Are there (good) transitions?
Is it coherent? Does it make sense?
How is your syntax?
E = Evidence
Are your examples efficient?
Is your commentary deep and meaningful?
Does your evidence support your thesis?

11. Mrs. Mehrens’ Code, Cont. G = Grammar V = Voice Rough Draft
Excessive spelling / grammar errors
Run-ons and other syntactical errors
Excessive errors will not score higher than a 2
V = Voice
Unique prose
Effective control