Assessing Writing Presenter: Sandra Brewer Language Arts Instructional Coach Muskogee Public Schools OWP-S. Brewer
Qualities of Effective Writing Ideas and development 30% Organization, Unity, Coherence 25% Voice Word Choice 15% Sentence and Paragraph fluency 15% Conventions (Grammar, Usage, Mechanics 15% OWP-S. Brewer/OKSDE
Ideas Choose original and interesting ideas Narrow and focus ideas Choose details to develop an idea Use senses to add imagery OWP-S. Brewer
Organization Use structural patterns in the writing Craft leads to grab the readers’ attention Use transition words to link ideas together Write satisfying endings OWP-S. Brewer
Voice Retell familiar stories from the viewpoints of different characters Assume a personal and write from that person’s viewpoint Use strong verbs Avoid redundancy and vague wording OWP-S. Brewer
Word Choice Use precise nouns, vivid verbs, and colorful modifiers Consult a thesaurus to consider options Avoid tired words and phrases Use word play OWP-S. Brewer
Fluency Vary sentence structure and length to add rhythm and energy Begin sentences in different ways Combine or expand sentences. OWP-S. Brewer
Conventions Proofread to identify mechanical errors Use a dictionary when correcting spelling errors Check paragraphing Add design elements to the final copy OWP-S. Brewer
Rubrics: scoring guides to assess students’ achievement on writing assignments Create rubric to include 3 or 4 levels. Add assessment criteria for each level such as ideas, organization, word choice, and mechanics. Give students a copy before they write so they understand what is expected of them. Teachers mark the criteria while reading the writing. Teachers meet with students to talk about the assessment and set goals for the next writing assignment. OWP-S. Brewer/G. Tompkins
Assessing Writing Using Rubrics? They help students become better writers. They lay out the qualities that constitute excellence and clarify teachers’ expectations so students know how the assignment will be assessed. They make teachers’ grading valid and reliable because it is more consistent. They save time for teachers. OWP-S. Brewer
WriterPeer Editor 1.Is the date capitalized and punctuated correctly?__________ 2.Is the greeting capitalized and punctuated correctly?__________ 3.Is the greeting addressed to the appropriate audience?_____ _____ 4.Does the body address the purpose of the correspondence?__________ 5.Do all of the sentences begin with capital letters?__________ 6.Do all of the sentences include end punctuation?__________ 7.Is there an appropriate closing for the occasion?__________ 8.Is the first word only of a two word closing capitalized?__________ 9.Is the penmanship legible and free of messy corrections?__________ 10.Is the signature present?_____ _____ 11.Are all of the words spelled correctly?__________ 12.Do all sentences contain a subject and a predicate?__________ ©2004 OWP-S. Brewer Checklist for letters, thank you notes and Invitations
Rubric Using the OCCT Analytic Scores Skills A S LK U Ideas and Development Organization, Unity, & Coherence Word Choice Sentences and Paragraphs Grammar, Usage, & Mechanics Voice Holistic (overall) OWP-S. Brewer
The Big Ideas The writing process involves 5 recursive stages: prewriting, drafting, revising, editing, and publishing. Students use the process as they write during in the content areas and about literature. Students write in reading logs, learning logs, and journals to develop fluency and enhance comprehension. OWP-S. Brewer/G. Tompkins
The Big Ideas Young children use kid writing while they are learning concepts about written language. Students prepare multigenre projects using a combination of reports, stories, poems photographs and other illustrations, and other materials. Teachers use rubrics to assess children’s writing. OWP-S. Brewer/G. Tompkins