AP English Language & Composition Rubric Overview

The Evidence & Commentary row (Row B) evaluates two components: the quality of evidence provided and how well the commentary explains how that evidence supports the student's argument or line of reasoning. For the AP Lang synthesis rubric, students must reference at least three provided sources in a way that supports a clear line of reasoning.

For the AP Lang argument rubric, evidence can come from sources, personal experience, or general knowledge. The highest score (4 points) requires specific evidence supporting all claims in a line of reasoning, with consistent explanation of how the evidence supports that reasoning.

The sophistication point in AP Lang is earned by demonstrating sophistication of thought and/or a complex understanding of the rhetorical situation. This can be achieved by crafting nuanced arguments that identify complexities or tensions, articulating implications or limitations within broader contexts, making effective rhetorical choices that strengthen the response, or employing consistently vivid and persuasive style.

The sophistication must be integrated into the student's argument, not just surface-level features like complex vocabulary or fancy wording. Using a title or complex sentences alone will not earn this point.

A thesis will not earn a point on the AP Lang essay rubric if it simply restates the prompt, provides only a summary without a clear position, is too vague or must be inferred, or does not respond to the prompt. For synthesis and argument essays, the thesis must present a defensible position. For rhetorical analysis, the thesis must analyze the writer's rhetorical choices rather than just describe or summarize the passage.

Grammar and mechanics errors do not directly deduct points on the AP English Language & Composition rubric. However, if grammatical and/or mechanical errors interfere with communication, the response cannot earn the fourth point in the Evidence & Commentary row. Students are not penalized for what they do wrong—they are rewarded for what they do right according to the rubric criteria.

The AP Lang rhetorical analysis rubric differs primarily in its evidence requirements and thesis focus. For rhetorical analysis, students must analyze how the writer's rhetorical choices contribute to their argument, purpose, or message, using specific evidence from the provided passage. 

In contrast, synthesis requires synthesizing at least three provided sources to support a position, while argument allows students to use evidence from any source including personal experience or general knowledge. All three essays use the same three-row rubric structure but emphasize different analytical skills.

Official AP Lang scoring guidelines and sample essays are available through the College Board's AP Central website. Each year's free-response questions include scoring guidelines with student samples at different score points and scoring commentary to help teachers understand how the rubric is applied. 

These resources show actual student responses scored by AP readers, providing concrete examples of what earns different point values across the thesis, evidence & commentary, and sophistication rows.