Scoring Guide for the Argument Task

Score 6 Outstanding

In addressing the specific task directions, a 6 response presents a cogent, well-articulated examination of the argument and conveys meaning skillfully.

A typical response in this category:

clearly identifies aspects of the argument relevant to the assigned task and examines them insightfully
develops ideas cogently, organizes them logically and connects them with clear transitions
provides compelling and thorough support for its main points
conveys ideas fluently and precisely, using effective vocabulary and sentence variety
demonstrates superior facility with the conventions of standard written English (i.e., grammar, usage and mechanics), but may have minor errors

Score 5 Strong

In addressing the specific task directions, a 5 response presents a generally thoughtful, well-developed examination of the argument and conveys meaning clearly.

A typical response in this category:

clearly identifies aspects of the argument relevant to the assigned task and examines them in a generally perceptive way
develops ideas clearly, organizes them logically and connects them with appropriate transitions
offers generally thoughtful and thorough support for its main points
conveys ideas clearly and well, using appropriate vocabulary and sentence variety
demonstrates facility with the conventions of standard written English, but may have minor errors

Score 4 Adequate

In addressing the specific task directions, a 4 response presents a competent examination of the argument and conveys meaning with acceptable clarity.

A typical response in this category:

identifies and examines aspects of the argument relevant to the assigned task, but may also discuss some extraneous points
develops and organizes ideas satisfactorily, but may not connect them with transitions
supports its main points adequately, but may be uneven in its support
demonstrates sufficient control of language to convey ideas with reasonable clarity
generally demonstrates control of the conventions of standard written English, but may have some errors

Score 3 Limited

A 3 response demonstrates some competence in addressing the specific task directions, in examining the argument and in conveying meaning, but is obviously flawed.

A typical response in this category exhibits ONE OR MORE of the following characteristics:

does not identify or examine most of the aspects of the argument relevant to the assigned task, although some relevant examination of the argument is present
mainly discusses tangential or irrelevant matters, or reasons poorly
is limited in the logical development and organization of ideas
offers support of little relevance and value for its main points
has problems in language and sentence structure that result in a lack of clarity
contains occasional major errors or frequent minor errors in grammar, usage or mechanics that can interfere with meaning

Score 2 Seriously Flawed

A 2 response largely disregards the specific task directions and/or demonstrates serious weaknesses in analytical writing.

A typical response in this category exhibits ONE OR MORE of the following characteristics:

does not present an examination based on logical analysis, but may instead present the writer's own views on the subject
does not follow the directions for the assigned task
does not develop ideas, or is poorly organized and illogical
provides little, if any, relevant or reasonable support for its main points
has serious problems in language and sentence structure that frequently interfere with meaning
contains serious errors in grammar, usage or mechanics that frequently obscure meaning

Score 1 Fundamentally Deficient

A 1 response demonstrates fundamental deficiencies in analytical writing.

A typical response in this category exhibits ONE OR MORE of the following characteristics:

provides little or no evidence of understanding the argument
provides little evidence of the ability to develop an organized response (e.g., is disorganized and/or extremely brief)
has severe problems in language and sentence structure that persistently interfere with meaning
contains pervasive errors in grammar, usage or mechanics that result in incoherence

Score 0

Off topic (i.e., provides no evidence of an attempt to respond to the assigned topic), is in a foreign language, merely copies the topic, consists of only keystroke characters, or is illegible or nonverbal.