2022

AP Seminar
®

End-of-Course Exam
Sample Student Responses
and Scoring Commentary

Inside:

Part A
• Scoring Guidelines
• Student Samples
• Scoring Commentary

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AP® Seminar 2022 Scoring Guidelines

End-of-Course Exam: Part A 15 points

General Scoring Notes

• When applying the scoring guidelines, you should award the score according to the preponderance of evidence (i.e. best fit).
• Except where otherwise noted, each row is scored independently.

0 (Zero)
Scores of 0 are assigned to all rows of the rubric when the response is off-topic; a repetition of a prompt; entirely crossed-out; a drawing or other
markings; or a response in a language other than English.

NR (No Response)
A score of NR is assigned to responses that are blank.

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AP® Seminar 2022 Scoring Guidelines

Question 1: Argument, main idea or thesis 3 points

Reporting
Scoring Criteria
Category
Row 1 0 points 1 point 2 points 3 points
Does not meet the criteria for one The response misstates the author’s The response identifies, in part and The response accurately identifies the
Understand point. argument, main idea, or thesis. with some accuracy, the author’s author’s argument, main idea, or thesis.
and Analyze argument, main idea, or thesis.
Argument
Decision Rules and Scoring Notes
(0-3 points) Typical responses that earn 0 Typical responses that earn Typical responses that earn Typical responses that earn
points: 1 point: 2 points: 3 points:
● Are irrelevant to the argument ● Misidentify the main argument ● Accurately identify only part of the ● Correctly identify all of the main
(do not even relate to the topic or provide little or no indication argument (part is omitted or is parts of the argument.
or subject of the text) of understanding of any part of overgeneralized). ● Demonstrate understanding of the
the main argument. ● Describe all parts, but either argument as a whole.
● Just state the topic of the vaguely or with some inaccuracy.
argument.
● Restate the title or heading.

Examples that earn 1 point: Examples that earn 2 points Examples that earn 3 points:
Misidentify the main argument Identify only part of the argument Include all parts of the argument
● “Parents should help their ● “Handwriting should be taught in ● “Writing by hand should be taught in
students practice cursive writing school because it is linked with addition to keyboarding because it
at home.” better performance in school.” activates the brain, improving
● “Handwriting improves memory, memory, impulse control, attention,
Restate the title or heading
impulse control, and attention.” enhances compositional skills and
● “Handwriting is important.” helps students perform better in
● “There is a case for school.”
handwriting.”
Additional Notes
The Argument/thesis has three main parts:
1. Writing by hand should be taught in schools (e.g., learning handwriting, handwriting instruction).
2. The physical act of writing by hand activates different parts of the brain (literacy sections, as well as parts associated with memory, impulse control, and
attention).
3. Writing by hand helps students improve academic performance (e.g., compositional skills)

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AP® Seminar 2022 Scoring Guidelines

Question 2: Explain line of reasoning 6 points

Reporting
Scoring Criteria
Category
Row 2 0 points 2 points 4 points 6 points
Does not meet the criteria for one The response correctly identifies at The response provides a limited The response provides a thorough
Understand point. least one of the author’s claims. explanation of the author’s line of explanation of the author's line of
and Analyze reasoning by accurately identifying reasoning by identifying relevant claims
Argument some of the claims AND identifying and clearly explaining connections
the connections or acknowledging a among them.
(0-6 points) relationship among them.
Decision Rules and Scoring Notes
Typical responses that earn 0 Typical responses that earn Typical responses that earn Typical responses that earn
points: 2 points: 4 points: 6 points:
● Do not identify any claims ● Accurately identify only one ● Accurately identify some claims ● Accurately identify most of the
accurately. claim. but there are some significant claims.
OR inaccuracies or omissions. AND
● Identify more than one claim, ● Provide few or superficial ● Clearly explain the relationships
but make no reference to connections between claims between claims (including how they
connections between them. (demonstrating a limited relate to the overall argument).
understanding of the reasoning).

Additional Notes
● A response may evaluate sources and evidence in the second part (Row 2), and/or analyze the argument in the third part (Row 3). Credit should be awarded
for this.
Author’s claims
1. Many schools and districts have drastically cut back on or eliminated handwriting instruction.
2. Keyboarding doesn’t “light up” the literacy sections of the brain in the way handwriting does.
3. Writing by hand also activates the parts of the brain that are involved in memory, impulse control, and attention.
4. Handwriting fluency may improve compositional skill.
5. Kids with better handwriting do better in school.
6. Students should be offered opportunities to learn both keyboarding and handwriting.

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AP® Seminar 2022 Scoring Guidelines

Question 3: Evaluate effectiveness of the evidence 6 points

Reporting
Scoring Criteria
Category
Row 3 0 points 2 points 4 points 6 points
Does not meet the criteria for one The response identifies little The response explains various pieces The response evaluates the relevance
Evaluate point. evidence. It makes a superficial of evidence in terms of credibility and and credibility of the evidence and
Sources and reference to relevance and/or relevance, but may do so thoroughly evaluates how well the
Evidence credibility but lacks explanation. inconsistently or unevenly. evidence is used to support the author’s
argument.
(0-6 points)
Decision Rules and Scoring Notes
Typical responses that earn 0 Typical responses that earn Typical responses that earn Typical responses that earn
points: 2 points: 4 points: 6 points:
● Misidentify evidence or exclude ● Identify at least one piece of ● Provide a vague, superficial, or ● Provide detailed evaluation of how
evidence from the response. evidence but disregard how well perfunctory assessment of how well the evidence presented
AND it supports the claims. well at least two pieces of supports the argument by
● Provide no evaluative statement OR evidence support the argument. ● Evaluating the strengths and/or
about effectiveness of evidence. ● Offer broad statements about OR weaknesses of the evidence.
how well the evidence supports ● Explain the relevance and AND
the argument without credibility of the evidence ● Evaluating the relevance and
referencing ANY specific presented but explanations lack credibility of the specific pieces
evidence. detail. of evidence presented.
Additional Notes
● A response may evaluate sources and evidence in the second part (Row 2), and/or analyze the argument in the third part (Row 3). Credit should be awarded
for this.

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AP® Seminar 2022 Scoring Guidelines

Summary of Evidence

Source (as provided in text) Credibility Quality of Evidence/Relevance to claims

Laura Dinehart Associate professor of early “What we hear is that handwriting is not a skill that’s tested, so therefore we don’t have
childhood education at Florida to teach it…But just because it’s not tested doesn’t mean that it’s not influencing other
International University skills.”
Supports claim: Many schools and districts have drastically cut back on or eliminated
handwriting instruction.
Karin H. James Indiana University researcher Using MRI scans, she showed that the motor sections light up when literate adults simply
look at printed text.
Supports claim: Keyboarding doesn’t “light up” the literacy sections of the brain in the
way handwriting does.
Laura Dinehart Associate professor of early Letters on a keyboard feel the same when we press them, but when we repeatedly
childhood education at Florida create a symbol, “it creates in the brain a kind of cognitive image of what that letter
International University looks like.” Writing the letter is critical to having that image in the brain.
Supports claim: Keyboarding doesn’t “light up” the literacy sections of the brain in the
way handwriting does.
“Studies have shown” No direct source Working to improve students’ handwriting may improve their reading, and vice versa.
Carol Armann School-based pediatric occupational Writing by hand “moves information from short-term to long-term storage.”
therapist Supports claim: Writing by hand also activates the parts of the brain that are involved in
memory, impulse control, and attention.
A 2014 study No direct source College students who took notes by hand demonstrated better conceptual
understanding and memory of the material than students who took notes using a laptop.
Supports claim: Writing by hand also activates the parts of the brain that are involved in
memory, impulse control, and attention.
Jeannie Scallier Kato Retired fourth-grade teacher Required student to write final reports by hand; these were published. Reminded
objecting parents that children did digital projects too but these would be a “sample of
their child’s personal writing as it was at age 9 or 10.”
Doesn’t really support claim
Virginia Berninger Professor of educational psychology Handwriting instruction improves first graders’ composition skills
at the University of Washington Supports claim: Handwriting fluency may improve compositional skill.
2007 study British Journal of Educational Handwritten essays were two years ahead of typed essays, developmentally.
Psychology Supports claim: Handwriting fluency may improve compositional skill.

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AP® Seminar 2022 Scoring Guidelines
Laura Dinehart Associate professor of early Handwriting practice makes writing automatic.
childhood education at Florida
International University
Rhonda Thomas Sixth-grade English teacher at Models writing for students then leaves “a few blanks and they start filling in their own
Woodson ISD in Texas words when they copy it. By the end of six weeks, they’re writing their own
introductions.”
Evidence doesn’t differentiate between keyboarding and handwriting so is not strong
support for claim.
Laura Dinehart Associate professor of early Kids with better handwriting have “better reading grades, better reading scores on the
childhood education at Florida SAT, and better math scores, both on the SAT and as it relates to grades.”
International University Supports claim: Kids with better handwriting do better in school.
Karin H. James Indiana University researcher “How we interact with things physically has a huge bearing on cognitive
development…Fine motor control, memory, and learning are highly connected, and
doing things with the hands is really important.”
Supports claim: Kids with better handwriting do better in school.
Sara Kassens Second-grade teacher, Zielanis Teachers enlist help from parents to practice cursive at home.
Elementary School in Kiel, Wisconsin
Laura Dinehart Associate professor of early There is a place for both handwriting and technology. “Handwriting serves a purpose,
childhood education at Florida particularly for young children.”
International University

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AP® Seminar 2022 Scoring Commentary

End-of-Course Exam
Part A: Short Answer

Note: Student samples are quoted verbatim and may contain spelling and grammatical errors.

Overview

This task asked students to read and understand an argument, identify the line of reasoning and
evaluate the credibility and relevance of the evidence advanced by the author in support of that
argument.

Sample: A
Score: 3
Score: 6
Score: 6

Row 1: Understand and Analyze Argument

The response earned 3 points because it accurately identifies all parts of the author’s argument: [1]
“schools should continue to emphasize handwriting due to its benefits in [2] improving a student’s
cognitive and [3] academic skill.” Part 1 of the argument is addressed when the response recognizes
that schools should emphasize handwriting. Part 2 of the argument is addressed when the response
notes that one of the benefits of handwriting instruction is improving a student’s cognition, which
was used during scoring as an overarching category for memory, impulse control, attention, etc.
Part 3 of the argument is addressed when the response notes the improvement in academic skill
(i.e., improved academic performance).

Row 2: Understand and Analyze Argument

The response earned 6 points because it correctly identifies most major claims (e.g. “handwriting
instruction is fading from prominence,” “writing by hand also activates the parts of the brain that
are involved in memory, impulse control,” “many studies have linked handwriting fluency with
compositional skills,” “students with better handwriting do well in school,” and “keyboarding and
tech skills are a necessity, but handwriting matters, too.”). The response presents a thorough
explanation of the line of reasoning, emphasizing the link between each claim. For example, the
response demonstrates an understanding of how the author crafts the argument with phrases such
as, “the author establishes the problem at hand by identifying,” “She…connects this to their next
claim…by introducing an additional reason why handwriting is a positive asset to students.” Later
in the paragraph, the response demonstrates an understanding of how claims connect to the overall
argument by noting how “[the author] uses evidence about college students to support her argument
and connects it to her case on continuing handwriting instruction.” The response further explains
the author’s line of reasoning by noting a transition from cognitive to academic benefits and how
“the author acknowledges the opposition by referencing the importance of typing.” Throughout,
the response demonstrates a comprehensive understanding of the author’s line of reasoning
concerning the benefits of handwriting instruction and consistently makes clear the connections
between claims and the overall argument.

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AP® Seminar 2022 Scoring Commentary

End-of-Course Exam
Part A: Short Answer

Row 3: Evaluate Sources and Evidence

The response earned 6 points because it provides a detailed evaluation of the evidence used to
support the author’s main argument. The response begins by noting a “variety of evidence [used to]
reinforce [the author’s] argument.” Then, the response evaluates Dinehart, affirming the credibility
of the source as well as its relevance “to the topic at hand,” and because “it demonstrates the
relationship between handwriting and increased cognitive skill.” Later, the response evaluates the
relevance and credibility of a “2007 study published in the British Journal of Education Psychology,”
noting its credibility as an academic journal and its relevance in showing “how handwriting is
beneficial to students compared to typing, connecting back to her main claim … the need to continue
handwriting instruction.” This response also notes a limitation of the publication date in terms of
currency, observing differences in technology “7 years ago” as compared to what “students have
access to today.” Lastly, the response evaluates an “anecdotal quote from a 6th grade English
teacher at Woodson ISD in Texas,” acknowledging that “it is not from an academic source” but also
observing that the “evidence is from a person relevant to the topic” and the “argument as it
demonstrates how handwriting is linked to academic achievement.” Overall, the response evaluates
multiple pieces of evidence in detail: it acknowledges the author’s use of credible and relevant
information to support the overall argument but discusses limitations to the evidence as well.

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AP® Seminar 2022 Scoring Commentary

End-of-Course Exam
Part A: Short Answer

Sample: B
Score: 2
Score: 4
Score: 4

Row 1: Understand and Analyze Argument

The response earned 2 points because it accurately identifies part of the author’s argument:
handwriting is related to doing better in school/compositional skills. The response mentions
that handwriting is important because it relates to memory but does not specify that handwriting
improves memory or activates different parts of the brain associated with memory. Additionally, the
response does not address that handwriting should be taught in school but simply states that it is
an important skill. Thus, the response does not identify all main parts of the author’s argument.

Row 2: Understand and Analyze Argument

The response earned 4 points because it accurately identifies some claims (e.g., “composition is
improved when handwriting is used”; “better handwriting will help students do better in school”).
This response partially addresses a third claim by stating "writing helps to connect information
through the brain." Each claim is followed by a brief description of evidence used to support the
claim, which partially explains the author’s line of reasoning, but these statements rely more on
summary and provide only minimal connections between the claims. For example, in the second
paragraph, the response uses superficial connective phrases such as “The author first begins by
explaining,” “She exemplifies this by including,” and “It proves her point by saying.” Additionally,
in the last sentence, the response states, “In conclusion, the author proves the point that handwriting
is important by explaining the effects it has on memory, performance in school, and compositional
skills.” In this sentence there is a connection made between the claims and the overall argument.
These connections move the student out of the 2-point column and into the 4-point column. It does
not achieve 6 points because the connections and explanation of the line of reasoning are not
thorough or detailed.

Row 3: Evaluate Sources and Evidence

The response earned 4 points for this row because it provides a vague assessment of two pieces
of evidence: “recent studies such as the one from 2014,” and “Laura Dinehart, who is a professor
at Florida International University.” Surrounding these pieces of evidence are general evaluative
statements such as “her sources were also accredited correctly, and showed the author’s knowledge
and research concerning the topic.” Later, the response shows some evaluation by referring to the
lack of credible sources; however, this evaluation is limited as the student offers only broad
statements: “while most sources from the first half of her essay were very credible, most of the ones
in the second half were not.” The response provides another superficial evaluation when stating
“she uses a lot of quotes from past teachers or current ones … they help to prove her point but aren’t
actually based off of research … [teachers] are just going off of how they think their students are
doing.” While evaluative in nature, this explanation lacks detail. Overall, the discussion of
evidence addresses credibility, but it provides a limited assessment of relevance, strengths
and/or weaknesses.

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AP® Seminar 2022 Scoring Commentary

End-of-Course Exam
Part A: Short Answer

Sample: C
Score: 1
Score: 2
Score: 2

Row 1: Understand and Analyze Argument

The response earned 1 point because it misidentifies the author’s argument when it states the “main
idea presented by the author is the fading of penmanship in younger schools.” The response also
misidentifies the argument when it states, “systems are not required to teach penmanship.” For this
reason, the response earned a score of 1.

Row 2: Understand and Analyze Argument

The response earned 2 points because it only accurately identifies one claim with specificity, that
“handwriting instruction improved composition.” The response misstates a claim by stating that
“it isn’t a skill that is tested on, so schools don’t teach it.” The response also goes on to misidentify
another claim by stating that “parents are being involved by any at home instruction to help improve
the penmanship of children.” Because the response only accurately identifies one claim, it earns a
score of 2.

Row 3: Evaluate Sources and Evidence

The response earned 2 points because it makes broad statements regarding the effectiveness and
credibility of sources. For example, the response notes, “the use of a professional lens provides the
reader with some credibility on the subject” and “the use of a parental lens gives a more relatable
yet credible lens that readers can trust.” The only reference to specific pieces of evidence can be
found in the response to question 2, but as there is no evaluation of this evidence or explanation of
how it supports claims this does not contribute to the score in question 3. Overall, this response
scores low because it does not evaluate strengths and weaknesses of specific evidence, nor does it
demonstrate an understanding of how the author uses the evidence.

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