The Writing Rubric for STAAR: How do they grade my 26-line paper? Mrs. Warren edited a slide show from: Victoria Young Director of Reading, Writing, and Social Studies Assessments Texas Education Agency

The Big Picture The three sections of the rubric are:  Organization/Progression (red 3 bullets)  Development of Ideas (yellow 2 bullets)  Use of Language/Conventions (green 3 bullets) There are 8 bullets within the three sections. You want to score a 3 or 4 on your paper to pass the STAAR. 2

Deconstructing the Writing Rubric Three bullets: Organization/Progression Bullet #1: Responsiveness Bullet #2: Focus/Sustaining Focus Bullet #3: Progression/Connections 3

Deconstructing the Writing Rubric Organization/Progression Bullet #1—RESPONSIVENESS to the purpose and the specific demands of the prompt  The writing must be obviously structured.  The writing must answer the prompt. Read the prompt carefully! 4

Deconstructing the Writing Rubric Organization/Progression In other words, read the prompt several times to make sure you understand it and make a map before you begin. 5

Deconstructing the Writing Rubric Organization/Progression Bullet #2—FOCUS (like a funnel).  You must have a main point…a central/controlling idea…a strong thesis!  The more narrow the focus, the better, since you only have 26 lines to write. 6

Deconstructing the Writing Rubric Organization/Progression Bullet #2—SUSTAINING FOCUS  Give clear details/ideas that contribute to meaning and enhance understanding.  NO BUNNY TRAILS! STAY ON TOPIC! 7

Deconstructing the Writing Rubric Organization/Progression Bullet #3—PROGRESSION/CONNECTIONS  Move logically from sentence to sentence with transitions. Transitions are like traffic signs that tell your reader where you are going.  Refer to your handout of transitions! 8

Deconstructing the Writing Rubric Two bullets: Development of Ideas Bullet #4: Quality of the Development Bullet #5: Thoughtfulness/Individuality 9

Deconstructing the Writing Rubric Development of Ideas Bullet #4: The best DEVELOPMENT is real, based on a student’s own experiences and thinking about the world. The quality of the development is more important than the quantity of the development. Readings Observations Surveys Experiences 10

Deconstructing the Writing Rubric Development of Ideas Bullet #5: THOUGHTFULNESS/INDIVIDUALITY of the development. Let the reader hear your “voice” in your writing. 11

Deconstructing the Writing Rubric Language and Conventions Three bullets: Use of Language/Conventions Bullet #6: Word Choice Bullet #7: Sentence Control Bullet #8: Conventions 12

Deconstructing the Writing Rubric Language and Conventions Bullet #6: WORD CHOICE: use great diction! Use precise and well-chosen words! First and third person are fine. NO SLANG! 13

Deconstructing the Writing Rubric Language and Conventions Bullet #7: Sentence Control: combine sentence structures and lengths. Be logical and meaningful. Prune your words! 14

Deconstructing the Writing Rubric Language and Conventions Bullet #8: Sentence Boundaries and Conventions: correct spelling, capitalization, punctuation, grammar are required. Use the dictionary! Use the thesaurus! Read your paper over and over! Read your paper from right to left, bottom to top to check for mistakes! 15

CONTACT INFORMATION Victoria Young Director of Reading, Writing, and Social Studies Assessments Texas Education Agency