AP
®
RESEARCH 2017 SCORING GUIDELINES
Performance Task Rubric: Academic Paper
Content Area Performance Levels
1 Understand
and Analyze
Context
The paper identifies a broad topic of inquiry
and/or a purpose.
2
The paper identifies a focused topic of inquiry and
describes the purpose.
4
The paper explains the topic, purpose, and focus of the
inquiry and why further investigation of the topic is
needed by connecting it to the larger discipline, field,
and/or scholarly community.
6
2 Understand
and Analyze
Argument
The paper identifies or cites previous scholarly
works and/or summarizes a single perspective on
the student’s topic of inquiry.
2
The paper summarizes, individually, previous
scholarly works representing multiple perspectives
about the student’s topic of inquiry.
4
The paper explains the relationships among multiple
scholarly works representing multiple perspectives,
describing the connection to the student’s topic of
inquiry. 6
3 Evaluate
Sources and
Evidence
The paper uses sources/evidence that are
unsubstantiated as relevant and/or credible for
the purpose of the inquiry.
2
The paper uses credible and relevant
sources/evidence suited to the purpose of the
inquiry.
4
The paper explains the relevance and significance of
the used sources/cited evidence by connecting them to
the student’s topic of inquiry.
6
4 Research
Design
The paper presents a summary of the approach,
method, or process, but the summary is
oversimplified.
3
The paper describes in detail a replicable
approach, method, or process.
5
The paper provides a logical rationale for the research
design by explaining the alignment between the
chosen approach, method, or process and the research
question/project goal. 7
5 Establish
Argument
The paper presents an understanding, argument,
or conclusion, but it is simplistic or inconsistent,
and/or it provides unsupported or illogical links
between the evidence and the claim(s).
3
The paper presents a new understanding,
argument, or conclusion that the paper justifies by
explaining the links between evidence and claims
derived from the student’s research.
5
The paper presents a new understanding, argument, or
conclusion that acknowledges and explains the
limitations and implications in context.
7
6 Select and
Use Evidence
Evidence is presented, but it is insufficient or
sometimes inconsistent in supporting the paper’s
conclusion or understanding.
2
The paper supports its conclusion by compiling
relevant and sufficient evidence generated by the
student’s research.
4
The paper demonstrates an effective argument
through interpretation and synthesis of the evidence
generated by the student’s research, while describing
its relevance and significance.
6
7 Engage
Audience
Organizational and design elements are present,
but sometimes distract from communication or
are superfluous.
1
Organizational and design elements convey the
paper’s message.
2
Organizational and design elements engage the
audience, effectively emphasize the paper’s message
and demonstrate the credibility of the writer.
3
8 Apply
Conventions
The paper cites and attributes the work of
others, but does so inconsistently and/or
incorrectly.
2
The paper consistently and accurately cites and
attributes the work of others.
4
The paper effectively integrates the knowledge and
ideas of others and consistently distinguishes between
the student’s voice and that of others.
6
9 Apply
Conventions
The paper’s use of grammar, style and mechanics
convey the student’s ideas; however, errors
interfere with communication.
1
The paper’s word choice and syntax adheres to
established conventions of grammar, usage and
mechanics. There may be some errors, but they do
not interfere with the author’s meaning.
2
The paper’s word choice and syntax enhances
communication through variety, emphasis, and
precision.
3
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