Name:____________________________________________________________________________________ Class:__________ Date:____________
Argumentative Essay: Music
Task:
Develop an argument in response to this question: what is the relationship between the music we listen to and the way we
view ourselves and others? For example, does the way we view a group of people we aren’t part of influence us to listen to
certain music? How does music shape our identities or sense of self? Form and defend a claim connected to this relationship.
You may develop your argument through cause-effect, narration, or a bit of both, but your method of development must
reflect intentional choices to best support your thesis.
Purpose:
The focus of scoring in this piece is on a clear thesis and effectively chosen evidence with appropriate commentary. Points may
be added for effective style choices or deducted for distracting errors in usage, punctuation, or spelling.
Requirements:
The finished product should be typed, double-spaced, in Times New Roman 12 pt font. Type your piece in Google Docs, as we
will submit them through Google Classroom. Your piece should not exceed 2 pages. Give your piece an original title, centered at
the top of the page.
NO Outside Information:
For this piece, no outside sourcing should be used as evidence. Frame your argument through experience, observations, and
other qualitative types of evidence that don’t require sourcing. This is in part to prepare us for the argument task on the AP
English Language & Composition Exam.
Scoring:
Note: points may be added to the base score for effective style choices and reduced for mechanical errors that interfere with the
communication of ideas.
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Exceeds--19/20
The author responds to the prompt with a defensible thesis that may establish a line of reasoning.
The author provides evidence relevant to the thesis.
The author provides well-developed commentary that consistently and explicitly explains the relationship
between the evidence and the thesis.
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Meets--17/20
The author responds to the prompt with a defensible thesis that may establish a line of reasoning.
The author provides evidence relevant to the thesis.
The author provides commentary that consistently and explicitly explains the relationship between the evidence
and the thesis.
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Approaching--15 /20
The author responds to the prompt with a defensible thesis that may establish a line of reasoning.
The author provides evidence or examples relevant to the subject of the prompt.
The author provides commentary; however it repeats or oversimplifies the information or evidence.
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Below--13 /20
There is no defensible thesis; thesis merely restates the prompt, is off-topic, or provides summary only.
The author provides evidence or examples relevant to the subject of the prompt.
The author provides little or no commentary.
Missing--0-10/20
The author does not present a clear claim and/or there is insufficient evidence presented.