2017
AP Research
Presentation and Oral
Defense
Scoring Guidelines
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RESEARCH 2017 SCORING GUIDELINES
Performance Task Rubric: Presentation and Oral Defense
Content Area
Performance Levels
1 Research Design
The presentation states the research
question/project goal OR method OR argument,
conclusion or understanding.
1
The presentation states the research
question/project goal AND method OR argument,
conclusion or understanding.
2
The presentation states the research
question/project goal AND method AND argument,
conclusion or understanding.
3
2 Establish Argument
The presentation or additional scholarly work
presents a generalized or oversimplified conclusion.
2
The presentation or additional scholarly work
presents a logically organized argument and
explains the connections between evidence and the
conclusion.
4
The presentation or additional scholarly work
presents an argument that identifies and explains
the consequences and/or implications made in the
conclusion.
6
3 Reflect
The presentation states simplistic or
overgeneralized connections between their initial
assumption or hypothesis and the student’s
personal conclusion(s).
1
The presentation describes evidence that affirmed
or refuted the student’s initial assumption or
hypothesis.
2
The presentation explains how steps in the research
process led to the development of the student’s
personal conclusion(s).
3
4 Engage Audience
The design, delivery or performance techniques
(e.g., eye contact, vocal variety, emphatic gestures,
movement) hampers effective communication
AND/OR severely limit the presentation’s impact.
2
The delivery of performance techniques (e.g., eye
contact, vocal variety, emphatic gestures,
movement) does not detract from the
communication of the argument.
4
A careful selection, for a targeted audience, of
design, delivery or performance techniques (e.g.,
eye contact, vocal variety, emphatic gestures,
movement), coupled with a dynamic execution of
those techniques, enhances the communication of
the argument.
6
5 Est
ablish Argument
(Research/Inquiry
Process Defense
Question)
The oral defense identifies the inquiry choice in response to the question
posed, but the explanation of the choice is superficial or illogical.
1
The oral defense provides a rationale by logically explaining why the choices
made during the inquiry process were appropriate.
2
6 Est
ablish Argument
(Depth of Understanding
Defense Question)
The oral defense provides a simplistic response to the question posed with few,
if any, details that would illuminate the new understanding.
1
The oral defense provides specific details to address the question posed and
describes the relationship of those details to the new understanding.
2
7 Ref
lect
(Reflection Throughout
the Inquiry Process
Defense Question)
The oral defense makes a connection to personal learning in the context of the
inquiry superficially, but does not necessarily answer the question posed.
1
The oral defense provides an explanation of how the project or process, in the
context of the question posed, is significant for the student’s own
understanding, self-awareness, or personal learning.
2
NOTE: To receive the highest performance level presumes that the student also achieved the preceding performance levels in that row.
ADDITIONAL SCORES: In addition to the scores represented on the rubric, teachers can also assign scores of 0 (zero).
- A score of 0 is assigned to a single row of the rubric when the presentation displays a below-minimum level of quality as identified in that row of the rubric.
-
A score of 0 is assigned to row 5, 6, or 7 of the rubric when the response is off-topic.
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