The following 9 Anchor Papers represent a range of score points and are used in conjunction with the rubrics to assess student responses.

Score for Anchor Paper #1: Rubric Score 1

Annotation: This response shows only minimal knowledge of the role of political parties. A few relevant ideas are presented (more of an assigned ideology than a political force; mass media turning attention to a party's candidate{s}). However, these ideas are skeletal and remain incomplete.

Score for Anchor Paper #2: Rubric Score 1

Annotation: This response is related to the question and shows only minimal knowledge. Although the response is based entirely on the misconception, that political parties are "small interest groups," a correct idea is given (help elect).

Score for Anchor Paper #3: Rubric Score 2

Annotation: This response shows knowledge of political parties and their influence on government officials. Relevant concepts are provided (split the people into different groups, based on what their beliefs are; different groups vote on someone to represent them in the general election). A key idea is then completed (should be focused on the issues, not political parties).

Score for Anchor Paper #4: Rubric Score 2

Annotation: This response shows knowledge of political parties and their influence on government officials. Basic ideas are provided (show different points of view on different issues; create a motive to vote; you can tell who is from which party) with a little support (you can have your voice heard and so that your opinions are applyed to the government).

Score for Anchor Paper #5: Rubric Score 3

Annotation: This response shows some understanding of political parties and their influence on the legislative process. Concepts are accurate and supported (not mentioned in the Constitution and the founding fathers opposed them; major parties - the Democrats and Republicans; have much power, and can unfairly affect the legislative process). Some evidence of higher order thinking is demonstrated through cause-and-effect reasoning (too much influence; the majority leader can then simply "calendar out" bills that favor the opposing party; so that these bills are never heard).

Score for Anchor Paper #6: Rubric Score 3

Annotation: This response shows some understanding of political parties and their roles in democratic systems of government. Some evidence of higher order thinking is provided through a detailed comparison and contrast between parliamentary democracies (in Europe political parties are both more numerous and hold more party loyalty due to their parmalent style; advancement is given based on party loyalty; minor parties are also more numerous; better opportunities to win seats and form alliances) and the US system (American political parties hold little influence and voter participation is low; vote for a candidate and disregard their party affiliation).

Score for Anchor Paper #7: Rubric Score 3

Annotation: This response shows some understanding of political parties and their influence on government officials. Accurate concepts are provided (political party as a source of information; primary sourse of money for candidates; before mass media…people relied on their party; parties, or factions once would control entire newspapers). Some evidence of higher order thinking is demonstrated through cause-and-effect reasoning (since the party funds the candidate, they can threaten to give funding to another candidate who better represents the party) and evaluative thinking (should vote by the way their constituents feel, not the party that represents them).

Score for Anchor Paper #8: Rubric Score 4

Annotation: This response shows understanding of political parties and their influence on government officials. Accurate concepts are well supported (provide a way to make sure that opposing viewpoints are considered; help the voters identify where they stand on issues; tell the voters what kinds of goals that someone from that party would try to achieve). Powerful evidence of higher order thinking is demonstrated through analysis of the contentious nature of a two party system (they {government officials} might feel more loyal to their party than they do to the people; could cause them to take actions for the purpose of combatting the opposing party; makes political parties seem more like governmental alliances).

Score for Anchor Paper #9: Rubric Score 4

Annotation: This response shows understanding of political parties and the power they wield. The student provides well-supported accurate concepts (parties are groups that seek political power through elected officials; Republicans and the Democrats; many smaller third party groups; parties provide a candidate with a large amount of support). Extended analysis of the power political parties may hold over government officials (being a candidate of the Republican or Democratic party is pretty much the only way to get elected; government that's supposed to benefit the people as a whole - not just a group), integrated with cause-and-effect reasoning (get the official to vote their way; threatening to take away their support and prevent them from getting reelected), demonstrates powerful evidence of higher order thinking.

Additional Scored Student Responses