Answer:
The score should reflect the quality of the essay as a whole — its content, style, and mechanics. Reward the
students for what they do well. The score for an exceptionally well-written essay may be raised by 1 point
above the otherwise appropriate score. In no case may a poorly written essay be scored higher than a 3.
9–8 These essays offer a persuasive analysis of how Hawthorne portrays the narrator’s attitude towards
Zenobia through the use of literary techniques. Using apt and specific textual support, the essays demonstrate
consistent and effective control over the elements of composition in language appropriate to the discussion of
prose. Although these well-focused essays may not be error-free, their perceptive analysis is apparent in
writing that is clear and effectively organized. Essays scored a 9 have especially convincing analysis and
effective control of language.
7–6 These essays offer a reasonable analysis of how Hawthorne portrays the narrator’s attitude towards
Zenobia through the use of literary techniques. Using textual support, they are organized and demonstrate
control over the elements of composition in language appropriate to the discussion of prose. These focused
essays show insight in their analysis, and they offer clear and controlled analysis and writing. Essays scored a
7 have solidly developed analysis and consistent control of organization and language.
5 These essays respond to the assigned task with a plausible reading of how Hawthorne portrays the
narrator’s attitude towards Zenobia through the use of literary techniques, but the analysis may be superficial
and thinly developed. While the essays include some analysis of the passage, implicit or explicit, the analysis
of Hawthorne’s portrayal of the narrator’s attitude or the use of literary techniques may be slight, and support
from the passage may tend toward summary or paraphrase. Their analysis and discussion may be vague,
formulaic, or minimally supported. These essays demonstrate some control of language, but they may be
marred by surface errors. These essays have difficulty presenting a cohesive idea, clear organization, or
sustained development of analysis.
4–3 These lower-half essays fail to offer an adequate analysis of the passage. The analysis of how
Hawthorne portrays the narrator’s attitude towards Zenobia through the use of literary techniques may be
partial, unconvincing, oversimplified, or irrelevant; the essays may ignore Hawthorne’s portrayal of the
narrator’s attitude or the use of literary techniques. Evidence from the passage may be slight or misconstrued,
or the essays may rely only on paraphrase. The essays often demonstrate a lack of control over the
conventions of composition: inadequate development of ideas, accumulation of errors, or a focus that is
unclear, inconsistent, or repetitive. Essays scored a 3 may contain significant misreading and/or demonstrate
inept writing.
2–1 These essays compound several writing weaknesses. Although they make some attempt to respond to
the prompt, they are often unacceptably brief or incoherent in presenting their ideas. The essays may be poorly
written on several counts; they may contain pervasive errors that interfere with understanding. Ideas may be
presented with little clarity, organization, or support from the passage. Essays scored a 1 contain little coherent
discussion of the passage.
0 These essays give a response that is completely off topic or inadequate; there may be some mark or a
drawing or a brief reference to the task.
— These essays are entirely blank.
