Written Response Scoring Criteria

Markers are reminded that students are working under examination conditions, have completed first draft compositions, and are responsible for three writing assignments.
Essays	Exploration and Analysis (6 marks)	Defence of Position (6 marks)	Communication (3 marks)
	When marking Exploration and Analysis, markers should consider quality of the exploration of the issue(s) quality of analysis of various viewpoints on the issue(s)	When marking Defence of Position, markers should consider quality of argument(s) selected to support the position taken quality of evidence selected to support position taken	When marking Communication, markers should consider organization and coherence contribution of stylistic choices to voice (including sentence variety and word choice) vocabulary (specificity and accuracy) sentence construction (clarity, completeness) grammar and mechanics (appropriateness of tense, punctuation, spelling, capitalization) Proportion of error to length and complexity of response must be acknowledged when marking Communication.
Excellent E	Exploration of issue(s) is insightful and comprehensive. Analysis is thoughtful and thorough. Student demonstrates confident and perceptive understanding of various points of view on issue(s). Mark: 6	Defence of position is based on one or more convincing, logical arguments. Evidence is specific and accurate; errors, if present, do not detract from the response. Student's application of social studies knowledge demonstrates confident and perceptive understanding. Mark: 6	Writing is organized fluent and effectively. Precise and effective stylistic choices may contribute to a convincing and engaging voice. Vocabulary is precise and effective. Writing demonstrates confident control of sentence construction, grammar, and mechanics with very few errors. Mark: 3
Proficient Pf	Exploration of issue(s) is specific and accurate. Analysis is appropriate and purposeful. Student demonstrates clear understanding of various points of view on issue(s). Mark: 4.8	Defence of position is based on one or more sound arguments. Evidence is appropriate, but may contain some factual errors. Student's application of social studies knowledge demonstrates clear understanding. Mark: 4.8	The writing is organized clearly. Appropriate and frequently effective stylistic choices contribute to a distinct voice. Vocabulary is accurate and appropriate. Writing demonstrates effective control of sentence construction, grammar, and mechanics with infrequent. Mark: 2.4
Satisfactory S	Exploration of issue(s) is valid but general and may contain minor misconceptions. Analysis is general and straightforward. Student demonstrates acceptable understanding of various viewpoints of issue(s). Mark: 3.6	Defence of position is based on one or more adequate arguments. Evidence is relevant but general and/or incompletely developed, perhaps with some errors. Student's application of social studies knowledge demonstrates acceptable understanding. Mark: 3.6	Writing generally is clearly and functionally organized. Adequate and basic stylistic choices may contribute to a straightforward voice. Vocabulary is generally accurate but not specific. Writing demonstrates basic control of sentence construction, grammar, and mechanics; errors do not interfere seriously with communication.; Mark: 1.8
Limited L	Exploration of issue(s) is superficial and may contain substantial misconceptions. Analysis is limited and over-generalized or redundant. Student demonstrates discernible, yet confused understanding of various viewpoints of issue(s). Mark: 2.4	Defence of position is based on simplistic assertions and/or questionable logic rather than supportive arguments.; Evidence is superficial and may not always be relevant and may contain significant errors. Student's application of social studies knowledge demonstrates limited understanding. Mark: 2.4	Writing is uneven and incomplete but is discernibly organized. Awkward stylistic choices may contribute to an unconvincing and/or inappropriate voice. Vocabulary is imprecise and/or inappropriate. Writing demonstrates faltering control of sentence construction, grammar, and mechanics; errors hinder communication. Mark: 1.2
Poor P	Exploration of issue(s) is mistaken or irrelevant. Analysis is minimal and/or poorly related. Student demonstrates minimal understanding of various viewpoints of issue(s). Mark: 1.2	The defence of position is difficult to determine and/or little or no attempt is made to defend it. Evidence, if present, is incomplete and/or marginally relevant, and content has significant errors. Student's application of applicable social studies knowledge demonstrates minimal understanding. Mark: 1.2	Writing is unclear and disorganized. Ineffective and/or inappropriate stylistic choices may contribute to an ineffective and/or unsuitable voice. Vocabulary is ineffective and frequently incorrect. Lack of control of sentence construction, grammar, and mechanics is demonstrated; errors impede communication. Mark: 0.4
Zero 0	Zero is assigned to a response that fails to meet the minimum requirements of the Poor category. Zero may be assigned in one or more categories.