“Synthesis” on the Selected Works rubric means the materials, the making processes, and the ideas are integrated—so they work together visually and conceptually across your five pieces. For a top score (5) you need strong, observable relationships among all three: the materials you choose should reinforce the idea, the processes should shape how that idea appears, and the finished visuals should make that connection obvious. Show it by repeating and developing a material/process combination that expresses your concept consistently (but not identically) across all five works, using advanced 2-D/3-D/drawing skills to make the relationships legible. Remember: your short written IDs must match what’s visible—if writing is unrelated, the portfolio can’t score above a 2. For examples and rubric language, see the Topic 4.2 guide (https://library.fiveable.me/ap-studio-art/unit-4/sustained-investigation-rubric/study-guide/mtAtz22nuK6uCnQ0XtHX). For more practice applying the rubric to samples, check Fiveable’s Unit 4 resources (https://library.fiveable.me/ap-studio-art/unit-4) and practice problems (https://library.fiveable.me/practice/ap-studio-art).

Write statements that literally point to what the image shows and how you made it. For each Selected Work (100-character limits), name: 1) idea(s) visually evident, 2) materials, 3) processes, 4) digital tools/image citation. Use concrete verbs for processes (painted, printed, welded, stitched, layered), specific materials (acrylic on canvas, found wood, graphite), and a short idea phrase that matches visible content (e.g., “urban erosion / layered maps”). Tie the wording to elements/principles you used (line, texture, figure/ground, scale) so readers see synthesis of materials, processes, and ideas. Avoid vague language—if the writing is unrelated, max score is 2. Aim for consistency across your five works so the written idea is visually evident in each piece. For examples and practice prompts, check the Topic 4.2 study guide (https://library.fiveable.me/ap-studio-art/unit-4/sustained-investigation-rubric/study-guide/mtAtz22nuK6uCnQ0XtHX) and try practice problems (https://library.fiveable.me/practice/ap-studio-art).

Materials = the physical substances you use (oil paint, charcoal, clay, found wood, digital pixels). Processes = the physical and conceptual activities you do with those materials (glazing, collage, carving, welding, printmaking, digital layering, cross-hatching). Ideas = the concepts or themes guiding the work (identity, memory, environment, systems, narrative). Examples: - Painting: Materials = oil on linen. Processes = underpainting, glazing, impasto. Idea = fragmented memory. The visual shows thin underpainting + thick impasto to mirror how memory adds/erases detail. - Sculpture: Materials = salvaged wood and metal. Processes = cutting, welding, assembly. Idea = consumer waste → reuse. The joins and patina make the concept visible. - Drawing: Materials = charcoal on paper. Processes = smudging, erasing, cross-hatching. Idea = light vs. shadow in urban spaces. For Selected Works you must identify each (100 characters each) and show visual relationships—judges look for synthesis across materials, processes, and ideas (strong synthesis = score 5). Need practice? See the topic study guide (https://library.fiveable.me/ap-studio-art/unit-4/sustained-investigation-rubric/study-guide/mtAtz22nuK6uCnQ0XtHX) and 1,000+ practice problems (https://library.fiveable.me/practice/ap-studio-art).

“Good” (proficient) vs. “advanced” (highly developed) 2-D skills on the Selected Works rubric is basically about degree and consistency of craft, composition, and use of 2-D elements/principles across your five works. Good/proficient means your works show clear control of line, value, color, space, figure/ground, composition, balance, contrast, etc., and choices support the ideas—competent, deliberate, and effective. Advanced/highly developed means those same skills are pushed further: more sophisticated composition, nuanced handling of color/value/texture, complex relationships (layers, transparency, hierarchy), and skill that consistently elevates and deepens the concept across works. The rubric expects “advanced” to be evident across the portfolio and to contribute to synthesis with materials/processes/ideas (Score 5), while “good” can earn Score 4 when synthesis and written evidence are solid. For examples and tips, see the topic study guide (https://library.fiveable.me/ap-studio-art/unit-4/sustained-investigation-rubric/study-guide/mtAtz22nuK6uCnQ0XtHX) and practice problems (https://library.fiveable.me/practice/ap-studio-art).

You’ll know your written evidence is strong when it directly matches what the images show—not just thematically but through observable materials, processes, and ideas. The CED says written evidence should identify materials, processes, and ideas; if it’s completely unrelated, the portfolio can’t score above a 2. So: - Be specific and observable: name the actual materials (e.g., "oil on linen"), the process you used (e.g., "glazing, sgraffito"), and the visual idea (e.g., "fragmented identity") within the 100-character limits. - Make sure the visual work shows that claim in every piece (preponderance of evidence across five works). - Show relationships: link how a material/process supports the idea (this is synthesis and raises Row C). - Test it: have someone who hasn’t seen your work read only your captions—can they match each caption to its image? If not, revise. For step-by-step tips and examples tied to the rubric, check the Topic 4.2 study guide (https://library.fiveable.me/ap-studio-art/unit-4/sustained-investigation-rubric/study-guide/mtAtz22nuK6uCnQ0XtHX). For extra practice, Fiveable has many portfolio-related problems (https://library.fiveable.me/practice/ap-studio-art).

“Visual relationships among materials, processes, and ideas” means that what you use and how you make something directly supports the concept you’re communicating—not random choices. For example: if your idea is “memory as decay,” you might use aging paper, tear and bleach processes, and layered collage so the texture, marks, and composition all evoke erosion. In a 2-D portfolio that shows that idea across five works, you’d use consistent 2-D skills (value, composition, figure/ground) while experimenting with materials (ink, coffee stains) and processes (rubbing, sanding) that reinforce the concept. For synthesis (Score 5) those relationships are strong and clear across the set: materials aren’t just listed in writing, they’re visibly integrated with processes and the idea in every image. For more examples and rubric language, see the Topic 4 study guide (https://library.fiveable.me/ap-studio-art/unit-4/sustained-investigation-rubric/study-guide/mtAtz22nuK6uCnQ0XtHX) and the unit overview (https://library.fiveable.me/ap-studio-art/unit-4). Practice applying this to your works at (https://library.fiveable.me/practice/ap-studio-art).

“Preponderance of evidence” just means the score you get should reflect what most of your five Selected Works show—not whether every single work is perfect. Readers look across all five pieces and decide which score level most of your works support for the three criteria: A) written evidence, B) 2-D/3-D/drawing skills, and C) visual relationships among materials, processes, and ideas. If 3 of 5 pieces show “good” skills and synthesis, the preponderance supports a higher score even if 2 pieces are weaker. Remember: if your written labels are completely unrelated to the images, the portfolio can’t score above a 2. Use this quick check: for each criterion, count how many works clearly meet the level you think they do—the majority determines the score. For more detail, see the CED Selected Works rubric and the Topic 4.2 study guide (https://library.fiveable.me/ap-studio-art/unit-4/sustained-investigation-rubric/study-guide/mtAtz22nuK6uCnQ0XtHX). Practice more samples at (https://library.fiveable.me/practice/ap-studio-art).

Pick five works that all demonstrate the same level of technical control and clear synthesis of materials, processes, and ideas. Practically: - Start with the skill level you want (good vs. advanced) and only include pieces that visibly meet it across composition, mark-making/value (drawing), or 2-D/3-D principles. - Make sure your written idea for each work is actually visible in the image (the rubric rewards that) and that each caption identifies materials and processes (100-char limits). - Use similar or related materials/processes across pieces so visual relationships are consistent—that strengthens Row C (synthesis). - Revise weaker pieces or replace them; prioritize images that show clear craftsmanship and consistent skill across all five. - Photograph each work cleanly (no distracting backgrounds) so skills are obvious. For examples and scoring language, see the Topic 4.2 study guide (https://library.fiveable.me/ap-studio-art/unit-4/sustained-investigation-rubric/study-guide/mtAtz22nuK6uCnQ0XtHX) and the Unit 4 overview (https://library.fiveable.me/ap-studio-art/unit-4). For practice, check the 1,000+ problems (https://library.fiveable.me/practice/ap-studio-art).

2-D art skills and drawing skills overlap but aren’t identical on the rubric. 2-D Art and Design skills refer to the full range of two-dimensional elements and principles—point, line, shape, plane, layer, color, value, texture, figure/ground, unity/variety, scale, etc.—and how you arrange them on a flat surface (this is what AP 2-D portfolios must demonstrate). Drawing skills are narrower: they focus on mark-making, line, surface, space, light and shade, and composition (the AP Drawing portfolio centers on these). So: if you’re in AP 2-D, show a broad use of elements/principles across media (graphic design, printmaking, collage). If you’re in AP Drawing, prioritize evidence of refined mark-making, tonal modeling, edges, and compositional choices. Both rubrics value synthesis of materials, processes, and ideas—make sure your written evidence matches the visual work. For more detail, see the Selected Works/Sustained Investigation rubrics (study guide: https://library.fiveable.me/ap-studio-art/unit-4/sustained-investigation-rubric/study-guide/mtAtz22nuK6uCnQ0XtHX) and practice problems (https://library.fiveable.me/practice/ap-studio-art).

Yes—you can still earn a 5 even if one piece is weaker, because scoring is based on the preponderance of evidence across the five Selected Works. To get a 5 you need: advanced 2-D/3-D/drawing skills (Row B), and strong synthesis of materials, processes, and ideas across the set (Row C). Written evidence must identify materials, processes, and ideas and be visually evident in the works. If four pieces show advanced skill and clear synthesis and your written statements link those ideas to the works, one weaker or inconsistent piece won’t automatically prevent a 5. However, if that weaker piece makes synthesis or skill unclear across the set, it can lower your score. Make sure every caption ties the idea to the visuals; that strengthens your overall preponderance of evidence. For tips and examples, check the Unit 4 study guide (https://library.fiveable.me/ap-studio-art/unit-4/sustained-investigation-rubric/study-guide/mtAtz22nuK6uCnQ0XtHX) and other Unit 4 materials (https://library.fiveable.me/ap-studio-art/unit-4). For extra practice, see the AP Studio Art practice problems (https://library.fiveable.me/practice/ap-studio-art).

Keep each written entry very short and precise—the CED limits each field to 100 characters (including spaces). For every Selected Work you must fill: Idea(s) visually evident, Materials used, Processes used, Digital Tools, and Image Citation—each one has a 100-character maximum. So your “written evidence” for a single work is five separate short lines (up to 100 characters each), not long paragraphs. Make those lines clear and directly tied to the image (if the writing is unrelated, the portfolio can’t score higher than a 2). Use compact, specific phrases (e.g., “urban isolation,” “oil on linen,” “layered glazing, palette knife,” “Photoshop: color balance,” “photo: student, 2024”). For help tightening language and examples, check the Topic 4.2 study guide (https://library.fiveable.me/ap-studio-art/unit-4/sustained-investigation-rubric/study-guide/mtAtz22nuK6uCnQ0XtHX) and more practice prompts at (https://library.fiveable.me/practice/ap-studio-art).

“Coalescence/integration” (aka synthesis) means materials, processes, and ideas visibly work together—each choice supports the concept so the viewer sees one unified purpose. For the Selected Works this means your five images should show consistent visual relationships among what you used (materials), how you made it (processes), and what you’re saying (ideas). A Score 5 needs a strong relationship among all three. How to achieve it: - Pick an idea and choose materials that naturally express it (e.g., fragile paper for vulnerability, rusted metal for decay). - Use processes that reveal meaning (tearing, layering, glazing, printing) rather than random techniques. - Repeat motifs, compositional strategies, color palette, or surface treatments across works so the idea is legible. - Make sure your written labels (idea/materials/processes) match what’s actually visible—AP reviewers check both. - Show advanced skills (composition, mark-making, value, form) and document decisive process choices. For examples and rubric tips, see the Topic 4 study guide (https://library.fiveable.me/ap-studio-art/unit-4/sustained-investigation-rubric/study-guide/mtAtz22nuK6uCnQ0XtHX). For extra practice, try the AP Studio Art practice problems (https://library.fiveable.me/practice/ap-studio-art).

Focus on making the connection between idea, material, and making visible in every work—not just in your written line. Start by picking 2–3 materials/processes that naturally express your idea (e.g., fragile paper for vulnerability, rusted metal for decay). Repeat a visual motif or gesture created by those materials across all five works so the relationship reads as synthesis, not coincidence. Use process-specific marks (tears, stitch, burn, layered collage) as evidence of the process and let those marks echo the concept. In your 100-character written fields, name the idea, materials, and processes clearly and exactly—if writing doesn’t match the images, your Selected Works can’t score above 2. Photograph details that show texture/process and include one full-view plus a close-up when needed. For more rubric-focused steps and examples, see the Topic 4.2 study guide (https://library.fiveable.me/ap-studio-art/unit-4/sustained-investigation-rubric/study-guide/mtAtz22nuK6uCnQ0XtHX). Practice more portfolio-aligned work on Fiveable’s practice problems (https://library.fiveable.me/practice/ap-studio-art).

“Good evidence” (Score 4) means your five works clearly show visual relationships among materials, processes, and ideas and demonstrate proficient (good) 2-D/3-D/drawing skills. The connections are observable across most pieces, and the written labels match what you show visually. “Strong evidence” (Score 5) means those relationships are consistently integrated—true synthesis—across all five works: materials, processes, and ideas coalesce so the viewer sees a unified, advanced handling of skills and concept. Practically: for a 4 you have clear intent and competent execution; for a 5 the execution is highly developed, the idea is visually evident in every piece, and the materials/processes aren’t just used—they’re purposefully transformed to support the idea. Remember the rubric uses the preponderance of evidence across five works and caps you at 2 if written evidence is unrelated (see the CED Selected Works Rubric). For more guidance, check the Topic 4 study guide (https://library.fiveable.me/ap-studio-art/unit-4/sustained-investigation-rubric/study-guide/mtAtz22nuK6uCnQ0XtHX) and try practice problems (https://library.fiveable.me/practice/ap-studio-art).

Make the visual evidence undeniable: photograph and present work so materials, processes, and ideas are obvious and match your short written labels. Key moves: - Photograph carefully: even lighting, neutral background, in-focus, straight-on shots; for 3-D include two clear views (required). - Show detail images when a surface, mark-making, or process matters—these prove materials/processes and skill. - Compose so figure/ground, scale, and gesture read clearly; avoid distracting props or low contrast that hide form or texture. - Edit only to represent the finished work (crop, exposure, color-correct) and list any digital tools used—don’t use generative AI. - Make your 100-character idea/materials/process entries directly match what’s visible across all five works so viewers see synthesis of materials, processes, and ideas. For practical tips and photo examples tied to rubric language, check the Topic 4 study guide (https://library.fiveable.me/ap-studio-art/unit-4/sustained-investigation-rubric/study-guide/mtAtz22nuK6uCnQ0XtHX) and other Unit 4 resources (https://library.fiveable.me/ap-studio-art/unit-4). For more practice documenting work, try the practice problems (https://library.fiveable.me/practice/ap-studio-art).