According to Collegeboard.org, purpose and focus mean "the extent to which you present information in a unified and coherent manner, clearly addressing the issue." But what does this statement really mean? Let's do some close reading to decide. According to Collegeboard.org, organization and structure means "the extent to which you order and connect ideas." But what does this statement really mean? Let's do some close reading to decide. According to Collegeboard.org, development and support mean "the extent to which you develop and support ideas."

According to Collegeboard.org, sentence variety and style mean "the extent to which you craft sentences and paragraphs demonstrating control of vocabulary, voice, and structure." According to Collegeboard.org, mechanical conventions mean "the extent to which you express ideas using Standard American English."

According to Collegeboard.org, critical thinking means the extent to which you communicate a point of view and demonstrate reasoned relationships among ideas.