(continued)
The ACT Writing Test Scoring Rubric
Ideas and Analysis Development and Support Organization Language Use
Score 2: The writer generates an Development of ideas and The response exhibits a The use of language is
argument that weakly support for claims are rudimentary organizational inconsistent and often
Responses at responds to multiple weak, confused, or structure. Grouping of ideas unclear. Word choice is
this scorepoint perspectives on the given disjointed. Reasoning and is inconsistent and often rudimentary and frequently
demonstrate issue. The argument’s illustration are inadequate, unclear. Transitions imprecise. Sentence
weak or thesis, if evident, reflects illogical, or circular, and fail between and within structures are sometimes
inconsistent little clarity in thought and to fully clarify the argument. paragraphs are misleading unclear. Stylistic and
skill in purpose. Attempts at or poorly formed. register choices, including
writing an analysis are incomplete, voice and tone, are
argumentative largely irrelevant, or consist inconsistent and are not
essay. primarily of restatement of always appropriate for the
the issue and its rhetorical purpose.
perspectives. Distracting errors in
grammar, usage, and
mechanics are present, and
they sometimes impede
understanding.
Score 1: The writer fails to generate Ideas lack development, The response does not The use of language fails
an argument that responds and claims lack support. exhibit an organizational to demonstrate skill in
Responses at intelligibly to the task. The Reasoning and illustration structure. There is little responding to the task.
this scorepoint writer’s intentions are are unclear, incoherent, or grouping of ideas. When Word choice is imprecise
demonstrate difficult to discern. Attempts largely absent. present, transitional devices and often difficult to
little or no skill at analysis are unclear or fail to connect ideas. comprehend. Sentence
in writing an irrelevant. structures are often unclear.
argumentative Stylistic and register
essay. choices are difficult to
identify. Errors in grammar,
usage, and mechanics are
pervasive and often impede
understanding.