Focus
- Subject or position is directly stated
- Writing stays on topic throughout paper
- Opening captures the reader’s attention
- Body of the paper develops the subject
- Conclusion effectively ends paper and ties it together
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Support
- Major points are developed in detail
- Details and support are developed
- Appropriate vocabulary is used throughout
- Paragraphs have approximately the same number of details
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Organization
- Each paragraph contains only one main idea
- Each paragraph has a topic sentence
- Writing flows easily from one idea to the next
- Sentence structure and word choice is varied
- Sentences and paragraphs are coherent (make sense)
- Sentences and paragraphs are cohesive (fit together)
- Each paragraph has a concluding sentence
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Integration
- Paper is fully developed, appropriate to grade level
- Focus is clear and developed
- Paper is balanced, with paragraphs approximately the same length
- Sentences and paragraphs fit together smoothly
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Conventions
- Rules of standard English are followed (paragraph structure, sentence structure, spelling, punctuation, capitalization)
or
- Errors interfere with the reader’s understanding of the writing
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Revisions made following the Reading/Assessment Committee meeting of April 4, 2002 |
