Each Analyze an Argument essay will be scored on a 6-point holistic scale according to the criteria below. Although the GRE? Analytical Writing Measure contains two discrete analytical writing tasks, a single combined score is reported because it is more reliable than either task score alone. The score reported will represent the average of the scores for the two tasks.
SCORE 6
A 6 paper presents a cogent, well-articulated critique of the argument and conveys meaning skillfully. A typical paper in this category
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clearly identifies important features of the argument and analyzes them insightfully
develops ideas cogently, organizes them logically, and connects them with clear transitions
effectively supports the main points of the critique
demonstrates control of language, including appropriate word choice and sentence variety
demonstrates facility with the conventions (i.e., grammar, usage, and mechanics) of standard written English but may have minor errors
See an example of an argument essay that earns a score of 6. SCORE 5
A 5 paper presents a generally thoughtful, well-developed critique of the argument and conveys meaning clearly. A typical paper in this category
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clearly identifies important features of the argument and analyzes them in a generally perceptive way develops ideas clearly, organizes them logically, and connects them with appropriate transitions
sensibly supports the main points of the critique
demonstrates control of language, including appropriate word choice and sentence variety
demonstrates facility with the conventions of standard written English but may have minor errors
See an example of an argument essay that earns a score of 5.
SCORE 4
A 4 paper presents a competent critique of the argument and conveys meaning adequately.
A typical paper in this category
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identifies and analyzes important features of the argument
develops and organizes ideas satisfactorily but may not connect them with transitions
supports the main points of the critique
demonstrates sufficient control of language to express ideas with reasonable clarity
generally demonstrates control of the conventions of standard written English but may have some errors
See an example of an argument essay that earns a score of 4. SCORE 3
A 3 paper demonstrates some competence in its critique of the argument and in conveying meaning but is obviously flawed.
A typical paper in this category exhibits one or more of the following characteristics:
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does not identify or analyze most of the important features of the argument, although some analysis of the argument is present mainly analyzes tangential or irrelevant matters, or reasons poorly is limited in the logical development and organization of ideas offers support of little relevance and value for points of the critique
lacks clarity in expressing ideas
contains occasional major errors or frequent minor errors in grammar, usage, or mechanics that can interfere with meaning
See an example of an argument essay that earns a score of 3. SCORE 2
A 2 paper demonstrates serious weaknesses in analytical writing. A typical paper in this category exhibits one or more of the following characteristics:
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does not present a critique based on logical analysis, but may instead present the writer’s own views on the subject does not develop ideas, or is disorganized and illogical provides little, if any, relevant or reasonable support has serious problems in the use of language and in sentence structure that frequently interfere with meaning
contains serious errors in grammar, usage, or mechanics that frequently obscure meaning
See an example of an argument essay that earns a score of 2. SCORE 1
A 1 paper demonstrates fundamental deficiencies in analytical writing. A typical paper in this category exhibits more than one of the following characteristics:
provides little or no evidence of the ability to understand and analyze the argument
? provides little or no evidence of the ability to develop an organized response
? has severe problems in language and sentence structure that persistently interfere with meaning
? contains pervasive errors in grammar, usage, or mechanics that result in incoherence
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See an example of an argument essay that earns a score of 1. SCORE 0
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Off topic (i.e., provides no evidence of an attempt to respond to the assigned topic), in a foreign language, merely copies the topic, consists of only keystroke characters, or is illegible, or nonverbal.
SCORE NS