Using his or her own words, the candidate accurately and clearly represents the essential meaning, content, and point of view of the original passage. The candidate does not distort or misrepresent the original meaning or substitute his/her own ideas or opinions for those expressed in the original text.

The candidate's response is concise, but provides enough statements of appropriate depth and specificity to represent the essential meaning, content, and point of view of the original passage.

The response exhibits control and organization; the sequencing and paragraphing of ideas clearly represent the essential meaning, logical structure, and point of view of the original passage.

The candidate shows mastery of mechanical conventions (i.e., spelling, punctuation, and capitalization). The candidate uses correct and effective paragraph and sentence structure. The candidate's usage and choice of words are careful and precise.

Using his or her own words, the candidate generally represents most of the meaning, content, and point of view of the original passage without distortion or misrepresentation.

The candidate's response may be too long or too short, but generally provides enough statements of appropriate depth and specificity to convey most of the meaning, content, and point of view of the original passage.

The candidate's organization of ideas may be somewhat unclear, incomplete, or partially ineffective, but sequencing and paragraphing of ideas generally represent the essential meaning, logical structure, and point of view of the original passage.

The candidate may make some errors in the use of mechanical conventions (i.e., spelling, punctuation, and capitalization). The candidate uses adequate paragraph and sentence structure, but minor errors may be present. The candidate's usage and choice of words may display minor errors.

The candidate represents only some of the meaning, content, and point of view of the original passage. The candidate may substitute his or her own ideas and opinions for those expressed in the original passage. The candidate may distort or misrepresent some of the original meaning. The candidate may rely heavily on the language of the original passage to express the essential ideas and meaning of the original passage.

The candidate's response may be too long or too short, or lack appropriate depth or specificity, to convey the essential meaning, content, and point of view of the original passage.

The candidate's organization, paragraphing, and sequencing of ideas may compromise or distort the meaning, logical structure, and/or point of view of the original passage.

The candidate makes frequent errors in the use of mechanical conventions (i.e., spelling, punctuation, and capitalization). Sentence and paragraph structure are poor, with noticeable and distracting errors. Imprecision in usage and word choice is distracting.

The candidate fails to represent the meaning, content, and point of view of the original passage in his or her own words. The original meaning is distorted, misrepresented, or merely copied.

The candidate's response fails to convey the depth or specificity of meaning conveyed by the original passage.

The candidate's organization, paragraphing and sequencing of ideas fail to convey the meaning, logical structure, and point of view of the original passage.

The candidate makes serious and numerous errors in the use of mechanical conventions (i.e., spelling, punctuation, and capitalization). Sentence and paragraph structure are ineffective, and few sentences are free of errors. Imprecision in usage and word choice interferes with meaning.