ap23-apc-english-language-q3-set-1

Page 1: Introduction and Overview

Title: 2023 AP® English Language and Composition Sample Student Responses and Scoring Commentary Set 1
Publisher: © 2023 College Board
Content Overview:
- Free-Response Question 3
- Scoring Guidelines
- Student Samples
- Scoring Commentary

Prompt: Consider Maxine Hong Kingston’s statement regarding community of voices.
Task: Write an argumentative essay addressing Kingston’s claim.
Requirements:
- Present a defensible thesis.
- Provide supporting evidence.
- Explain the relevance of the evidence.
- Use proper grammar and punctuation.

Thesis Evaluation (0–1 points):
- 0 points: No defensible thesis, restatement of prompt, unclear claim, or vague position.
- 1 point: Defensible thesis responding adequately to the prompt.
Scoring Notes:
- Responses that fail to take a clear position or state an obvious fact do not earn points.
- A defensible thesis should be specific to Kingston’s claim.

Scoring Evaluation (0–4 points):
- 0 points: No relevant evidence or incoherent response.
- 1 point: General evidence provided, but lacks effective commentary.
- 2 points: Some specific evidence given, but lacks a clear line of reasoning.
- 3 points: Specific evidence and some coherent commentary supporting a line of reasoning.
- 4 points: Uniform specific evidence and explanation that supports a clear line of reasoning.
Important Notes: Grammatical errors can impact the score in this category.

Sophistication Evaluation (0–1 points):
- 0 points: Fails to meet sophistication criteria.
- 1 point: Demonstrates sophistication and complexity in understanding the rhetorical situation.
Notes:
- Responses must enhance arguments with nuances and effective rhetorical choices.

Main Idea: Power of community voices vs. individual voices.
Examples Provided:
- Historical contexts (Civil Rights Movement).
- Importance of collective action in social change.
Claim: Unity among voices leads to significant impact.

Further Exploration:
- Community power revealed through collective efforts.
- Notable figures like Martin Luther King Jr. as catalysts for change.
- The need for many voices amplifying truth.

Thesis: Community of voices holds more power than individual voices.
Case Study: Civil Rights Movement as an example of effective collective action.
Observation: Historical protests as mechanisms for change and awareness.
Conclusion: Community action is essential for achieving goals.

Thesis: Community of voices introduces complexities; not all voices are equal.
Concerns Raised:
- Possibility of harmful opinions arising from collective voices.
- Reference to social media (Twitter) as an example of collective opinion power.
Implications: Potential negative consequences for individuals based on community judgments.

Overall Scores:
- Thesis: 1 point
- Evidence & Commentary: 4 points
- Sophistication: 1 point
Strengths:
- Well-supported claims with nuanced arguments.
- Strong historical examples demonstrating collective voice power.

Overall Scores:
- Thesis: 1 point
- Evidence & Commentary: 2 points
- Sophistication: 0 points
Weaknesses:
- Minimal commentary and connection establishment.
- Lack of depth in argument development.

Overall Scores:
- Thesis: 1 point
- Evidence & Commentary: 1 point
- Sophistication: 0 points
Critiques:
- Lacks effective evidence and explanation.
- Simple approach without exploring complexities.