AP English Language and Composition Essay Rubric

9 or 8

• Persuasive Argument
• Effective sentence structure, diction, syntax, and organization
• Well reasoned: Proven Thesis
• Good examples
• Understanding of passage
• Connection to literature
• Evidence

7 or 6

• Good essay but not perfect
• Lacks in syntax
• Less than an 8 or 9
• Lack detailed examples
• Do not represent author’s ideas CLEARLY
• Less sophisticated than 8

5

• Adequately written
• Unsupported with examples
• Inconsistently control over all essay
• Does not sustain coherent representation
• Organization may not be fully realized

4-3

• does not respond well to the question well
• what are we talking about?
• writing has weak control
• unclear
• have some flaws

2-1

• little support
• misguided
• failed to answer question
• no evidence
• poorly written

~little control and weak composition