Scoring rubric
The writing section

SCORE 4

Score 4 is a well-formed writing sample that effectively communicates to the specified audience with few errors, and

·   presents a central idea and/or point of view, maintains focus on that topic, and the response is well reasoned.

·   presents ideas or points that are logically arranged, and the meaning is clearly communicated.

·   presents generalizations and assertions that are well supported with relevant, specific, and detailed development.

·   selects precise word choices, and usage is careful and accurate.

·   composes sentences of syntactic complexity and variety and constructs coherent paragraphs (although the response may contain minor flaws in mechanical conventions).

·   addresses the topic completely and uses language and style appropriate for the given audience and purpose.

SCORE 3

Score 3 is an adequately formed writing sample that communicates to the specified audience with occasional errors, and

·   presents a central idea and/or point of view, generally maintains focus on that topic, and provides adequate reasoning.

·   presents ideas or points that are generally organized, clear, and effective, and the meaning is generally clear.

·   presents generalizations and assertions that are adequately supported (although sometimes unevenly).

·   selects adequate word choices and usage (some errors exist, but do not impede the meaning).

·   composes sentences adequately, although the response may have errors in paragraphing, sentence structure, and/or mechanical conventions (however, the errors are neither serious nor frequent enough to distract or confuse the reader).

·   presents a response that may not fully address the topic (i.e., one of the tasks in the assignment may be neglected or may be vaguely or incompletely addressed), but the language and style are appropriate for the given audience and purpose.

SCORE 2

Score 2 is a partially formed writing sample that attempts to communicate a message to the specific audience with frequent errors, and

·   states a central idea and/or point of view, but loses focus on the central idea and/or the response is minimally reasoned.

·   presents evidence of organized ideas, but the ideas are largely ineffective and/or the response is generally unclear.

·   presents generalizations and assertions that are only partially supported, and the response contains irrelevant, insufficient, or imprecise details.

·   selects word choices and usage that are generally imprecise and distracting.

·   composes a response that has distracting errors in paragraphing, sentence structure, mechanical conventions, and/or dependence on short, choppy sentences with minimal modification.

·   presents a response that is incomplete and does not address most tasks of the assignment and/or inadequately uses language and/or style that is appropriate for the given audience and purpose.

SCORE 1

Score 1 demonstrates inadequate competency in source-based writing, and

·   fails to state and/or remain focused on a central idea and/or point of view; the response lacks coherence and reasoning.

·   presents ineffective and seriously flawed organization; the meaning is unclear throughout the response.

·   presents generalizations and assertions that are not supported or are severely underdeveloped; the presentation of details is confused.

·   selects word choices and usage that are largely imprecise, and there are severe distracting errors.

·   commits serious and numerous errors in paragraphing, sentence structure, and/or mechanical conventions.

·   demonstrates little or no understanding of any of the assignment’s tasks; language and style may be inappropriate for the audience and purpose.

SCORE U

Score U is unscorable because it is off topic, illegible, primarily in a language other than English, or has insufficient length to score.

SCORE B

Score B indicates that the essay response sheet is blank.