STAAR English Literary Writing

Score Point 1Organization and Progression:• Form or structure is inappropriate to purpose or

specific demands of prompt. Writer uses strategies and devices that are marginally suited, inappropriate or not evident. Story presented illogically or randomly causing lack of clarity and direction.

• many details do not contribute to story and writer's lack of focus weakens unity and coherence• story is weak and repetitive or wordy causing

disruptions in story line. Lack of transitions and connections between sentences make parts of the story unclear or difficult to follow

Score Point 1

Development of Ideas:• Development of story is weak; inappropriate

vague or insufficient details do not contribute to key literary elements

• story is insubstantial; writer's response to prompt is vague or confusing because it is weakly linked to prompt or shows lack of understanding to the literary task.

Score Point 1• Language Conventions:• Writer's word choice is vague or limited,

reflecting little or no awareness of literary purpose and may impede quality and clarity of story

• simple, awkward or uncontrolled sentences weaken effectiveness of story

• demonstrates partial command of sentence boundaries. Distracting errors may be evident, creating minor disruptions in fluency and meaning.

Score Point 2

Organization and Progression• Form or structure is evident but not always

appropriate to the purpose and specific demands of prompt.

• Some details do not contribute to story. May not sustain focus limiting unity and coherence of story.

• Presentation is inconsistent. Repetition or wordiness may cause minor disruptions or transitions and sentence connections are too weak to support logical movement of story

Score Point 2

Development of Ideas• Minimal story development because the few

details are not always or too general• Reflects little or no thoughtfulness. Response

is sometimes formulaic. Story development demonstrates only a limited understanding of the literary task

Score Point 2

Language/Conventions• Word choice is too general or imprecise. Reflects

basic awareness of literary purpose and may limit the quality and clarity of story

• Awkward or somewhat controlled sentences limit effectiveness of story.

• Demonstrates a partial command of sentence boundaries. Distracting errors may be evident, creating minor disruptions in fluency and meaning.

Score Point 3

Organization and Progression• For the most part, form or structure is

appropriate to the purpose and specific demands of the prompt

• Most details contribute to story’s effectiveness. Writer is able to maintain focus for the most part and story is coherent, though not always unified due to minor lapses in focus

• Presentation of story is adequately controlled. Transitions are mostly meaningful and sentence connections support logical movement of story.

Score Point 3

Development of Ideas• Specific details add some substance and

contribute mostly to key literary elements.• Story reflects some thoughtfulness and

response is original rather than formulaic. Story’s development demonstrates good understanding of the literary writing task.

Score Point 3

Language/Conventions• Word choice is mostly specific and concrete

reflecting awareness of literary purpose. Word choice usually contributes to quality and clarity of story.

• Demonstrates adequate command of sentence boundaries. Some errors are evident, but create few disruptions in the fluency and do not affect clarity.

Score Point 4

Organization and Progression• Form or structure is appropriate to purpose and

specific demands of prompt. Uses strategies a devices that are well suited to literary task and writer is able to skillfully convey story.

• All details contribute to effectiveness of story and writer’s ability to focus and sustain focus, strengthens unity and coherence.

• Presentation is well controlled and meaningful transitions and strong sentence connections enhance logical movement of story.

Score Point 4

Development of Ideas• Specific, well-chosen details add substance to

story and contribute significantly to key literary elements.

• Story is thoughtful and engaging and responds to prompt from an unusual perspective. Uses unique experiences or world views as basis for writing or connects ideas in interesting ways. Story development demonstrates a thorough understanding of literary task.

Score Point 4

Use of Language• Word choice is vivid and expressive reflecting a

keen awareness of literary purpose. Word choice strongly contributes to quality and clarity.

• Sentences are purposeful, varied, and well controlled, enhancing effectiveness of the story.

• Demonstrates a consistent command of sentence boundaries. Minor errors do not detract from fluency and clarity and overall strength of conventions contributes to story’s effectiveness.