AP Seminar Performance Task 2: Individual Multimedia Presentation and Oral Defense Rubric with Scoring Notes

EFFECTIVE 2017-18 ACADEMIC YEAR

Scoring Protocols:

1. Do not repeatedly rewind or re-listen.

2. There is a time limit. Only the first 8 minutes of any presentation are scored (excluding the oral defense).

3. The defense is scored only after the presentation proper is scored. The defense does not impact the scores in the presentation.

ADDITIONAL SCORES
In addition to the scores represented on the rubrics, readers can also assign scores of 0 (zero) and NR (No Response).
0 (Zero)

A score of 0 is assigned to a single row of the rubric when the response displays a below-minimum level of quality as identified in that row of the rubric.
 Performance Levels MAX
Row/Proficiency Low Medium High Points
1 UNDERSTAND The presentation identifies a problem or issue The presentation makes general statements The presentation clearly explains the 6
AND ANALYZE but places the research question in a very about the context of the research question, relevance of the research question
CONTEXT limited context and offers little or no including how it is connected to the stimulus (situates the perspective within a larger
explanation of how it is connected to the materials. context) AND how it is connected to the
stimulus materials. stimulus materials.
2 Pts 4 Pts 6 Pts
Decision Rules & Scoring Notes

Is the relevance of the research question detailed and clear?

Is there a clear connection to the stimulus materials?

NO YES, but YES,

• Response offers almost nothing in • Statements about context are • Relevance of the question is
the way of rationale for the question. general. clear and explained within a
• Perfunctory, tenuous or non-existent • There is some kind of description of specific context (you understand
connection to stimulus materials. context for the research question why it matters).
which may not be entirely
convincing; it may be simplistic, or AND
overgeneralized.
OR • Tightly links to stimulus
• Generally/broadly links to stimulus material.
material
2 ESTABLISH The presentation summarizes information The presentation connects evidence and The presentation is logically organized, 6
ARGUMENT instead of offering an argument. claims. The argument is mostly clear and well-reasoned, and complex. It
organized, but at times the reasoning may persuasively connects the evidence to
be faulty OR the reasoning may be logical claims to clearly and convincingly
but not well organized. establish an argument.
2 Pts 4 Pts 6 Pts
Decision Rules & Scoring Notes

Is there an argument? Is the argument coherent and complex?

NO, YES, but YES,

• Predominantly summarizes • Discernable argument but may be • Convincing argument that is
information instead of offering an unclear in places, contain faulty logically organized and fully
argument (evidence is not connected reasoning or contain a lot of explains how evidence supports
to claims). extraneous detail. the claims.
YES, but • Links between claims and evidence • Detail is sufficient to make the
• The argument is very weak (mostly lack explanation. argument and address the
unsubstantiated claims). • May be oversimplified in places complexity of the issue.
• It is hard to see what the argument is (lacks complexity) or detail needed
because it’s not really a debatable to make the argument may be
issue. missing.
3 SELECT AND The presentation incorporates evidence from a The presentation incorporates evidence from The presentation incorporates and 6
USE EVIDENCE minimal range of perspectives OR information various perspectives to develop and support synthesizes relevant evidence from
is provided but not used as evidence to the argument. various perspectives to develop and
support the argument. support the argument.
2 Pts 4 Pts 6 Pts
Decision Rules & Scoring Notes

Is relevant evidence brought together and integrated? (Are the pieces of evidence in conversation with one another?)
Are different perspectives represented?

NO, YES, but YES,

• Evidence is not used to support the • Evidence is presented, but it is not Draws relevant (and credible) evidence
argument (it is not relevant or consistently relevant (or credible). together from different perspectives
credible, or is just summarized). • Connections between pieces of (puts them in conversation with each
• Multiple examples/pieces of evidence evidence are not clearly articulated; other) to develop and support the
from one single perspective. various perspectives are incorporated argument.
but are not connected or linked.
IF NO EVIDENCE IS INCLUDED AT ALL, SCORES
ZERO

4 ESTABLISH The presentation offers information without The presentation offers specific resolutions, The presentation offers detailed, 6
ARGUMENT offering specific resolutions, conclusions, conclusions, and/or solutions that at least plausible resolutions, conclusions
and/or solutions OR they are unsubstantiated partially address the research question. and/or solutions, and considers the
or oversimplified. limitations and implications of any
suggested solutions.
2 Pts 4 Pts 6 Pts
Decision Rules & Scoring Notes

Does the presentation have a realistic resolution, conclusion, or a solution?

NO, YES, but YES

• No resolution, conclusion or solution • Specific resolution(s), conclusion(s) • Resolution(s), conclusion(s)
OR or solution(s) offered but lack detail or solution(s) are realistic
to demonstrate plausibility or are and consider limitations and
YES, but not entirely realistic. implications.
• It is oversimplified or • Partially address research question. • Fully aligns with research
unsubstantiated (or contrived question
solution to a non-existent problem.).
5 ENGAGE The presentation’s design does little to The presentation’s design aligns with the The presentation’s design aligns well 6
AUDIENCE effectively convey the information. There is information and selects and emphasizes key with and effectively contextualizes the
(DESIGN) little evidence of purposeful selection or information. information. The presentation,
emphasis of information to suit audience, including its selection and emphasis of
situation, medium, or purpose (e.g. too much information, is designed for audience,
of the essay is included on slides, too much situation, medium, and/or purpose.
for given time limit).
2 Pts 4 Pts 6 Pts
Decision Rules & Scoring Notes

Does the presentation incorporate media and design elements?

NO, YES, but YES,

• Almost none of the visuals do work • Visuals guide the audience through • Overall visuals serve a clear
to guide the audience through the the argument but may be at times purpose in organizing or
argument (e.g. most headings are illogical, confusing or otherwise advancing the argument
topical rather than signposting ineffective (headings signal an (such as signposting,
argument). argument but visuals do little more emphasis).
• Unreadable or full of errors than outline). • Throughout, well-chosen
• Many slides serve no • Several visuals may display words and images highlight
argumentative purpose (are information overload or a poor key points or information.
random, misaligned to speaking, or selection of supporting words and • The visuals contain little
irrelevant). images (decorative but not clutter or visual “noise”; they
• Many visuals contain distracting argumentatively purposeful, or enhance rather than
pointless elements, confusing unreadable in the time frame they compete with the speaker’s
formatting, or disconnected are shown). message, there are no
elements. • Visuals may contain some noticeable, extraneous images or “data
• Just a list of keywords (no selection significant errors. dumps”.
or use of design elements). The • Visual and design cohesion may be • Cohesion is created through
slides may be predominantly inconsistent across the presentation is consistency of design
speaker notes rather than audience (e.g., hierarchy of information, across the presentation.
aids. cohesion of imagery, metaphor, • Evidence of effective use of
parallel structure). design elements like charts
and pictures (they add
value), selection and
emphasis of information help
the audience understand the
argument.
6 ENGAGE The selection and execution of delivery or The selection of delivery or performance A careful selection of delivery or 6
AUDIENCE performance techniques (e.g., eye contact, techniques (e.g., eye contact, vocal variety, performance techniques (e.g., eye
(PERFORMANCE) vocal variety, movement, energy) severely movement, energy) OR execution of those contact, vocal variety, movement,
limit the presentation’s impact. techniques, supports communication of the energy), coupled with a dynamic
argument. execution of those techniques, strongly
supports the communication of the
argument.
2 Pts 4 Pts 6 Pts
Decision Rules & Scoring Notes

Does the presenter recognize they are giving a presentation to human beings?
Does the presenter use strategies to connect with those human beings?

NO, YES, but YES,

Monotone, read without expression; Voice has some variety, basic delivery of Voice is varied to provide emphasis
frequent stumbles; losing place; frequent information, not much to add interest; could and interest; conveys own interest in
“um” “ah” or “like”; inappropriate ad- be memorized so feels like recitation; few the topic, lively, engaging.
libbing. stumbles. Makes eye contact throughout – like
Most of the time looking down, at Makes eye contact some of the time; talking to an actual person.
notecards, or at slides. sometimes lapses into reading slides or Open, relaxed posture; uses gestures
No gestures for emphasis; fidgeting; looking at notecards. for emphasis, refers to visuals.
defensive posture. Generally open posture, a bit stiff at times;
gestures used but not always effectively.
Oral Defense
1 REFLECT The oral defense addresses the question in a The oral defense responds to the question The oral defense articulates a detailed 6
way that is simplistic or unsubstantiated OR asked and provides some evidence that may be response to the question posed
describes a process that does not answer the general rather than specific about the research supported by relevant and specific
question. process. evidence.
2 Pts 4 Pts 6 Pts
Decision Rules & Scoring Notes

Does the presenter provide relevant evidence specific to their work in their responses?

NO, YES, but YES,

• Doesn’t answer the question. • Provides some evidence relating to • Provides relevant and
• So general as could be about any the particular project/research but specific details in the context
project/essay. lacks specific examples. of the question (provides the
• Nonsensical. • Provides the required information why, or how, or rationale
• Unrelated to the research or makes but without the why, how or with specific instances).
no sense in relation to the rationale (the convincing details).
argument presented.
• Is an exact restatement of what
was said in presentation (nothing
added).

2 ESTABLISH The oral defense addresses the question in a The oral defense responds to the question The oral defense articulates a detailed 6
ARGUMENT way that is simplistic or unsubstantiated OR asked and provides some evidence that may be response to the question posed
describes a process that does not answer the general rather than specific about the research supported by relevant and specific
question. process. evidence.
2 Pts 4 Pts 6 Pts
Decision Rules & Scoring Notes

Does the presenter provide relevant evidence specific to their work in their responses?

NO, YES, but YES,

• Doesn’t answer the question. • Provides some evidence relating to • Provides relevant and
• So general as could be about any the particular project/research but specific details in the context
project/essay. lacks specific examples. of the question (provides the
• Nonsensical • Provides the required information why, or how, or rationale
• Unrelated to the research or makes but without the why, how or with specific instances).
no sense in relation to the rationale (the convincing details).
argument presented
• Is an exact restatement of what
was said in presentation (nothing
added).