Content or Ideas:

·         The writer has "noticed stuff" (usually about a text under consideration) and explained its significance.

·         The writer stays focused and shares original and fresh insight into the topic.

·         Ideas are clearly communicated, engaging, original, thoughtful, insightful, giving reader an “aha moment.” 

·         Subject is sufficiently focused and manageable.

·         Details are relevant and telling.

·         The composition is plausible, supported, reasonable, convincing.

·         The writer avoids padding with meaningless repetition.

Organization: 

·         The organization of the composition develops a central idea, with information presented in an order which is compelling, and moves the reader through the text.

·         Paragraphs are focused and purposeful.

·         The writer has made a clear choice in the order of things, and about what to include and what to discard.

·         There is a strong congruence between thesis and supporting paragraphs.

·         An introduction gets to the point; a conclusion satisfies the reader with a sense of completeness.

Voice: 

·         Writer speaks to the reader in a compelling and engaging way that delivers purpose and topic.

·         The writer cares about the topic and is respectful of the reader.

·          Literary writing is in present tense

·          Generally avoid first person and second person

Diction:

·         Words are precise and accurate.

·         Words are striking, powerful, and engaging.

·         Every word does work.

·         Adverbs are used sparingly in preference to specific verbs.

Sentence Fluency: 

·         Sentences show sensitivity to the rhythms of language and the connections between language and meaning.

·         Uses effective sentences including varied sentence length and structure (parallel structure, complex, compound, periodic, loose etc).

·         The writer consciously builds sentences where more complex structures are useful.

·         Quotations are well integrated.

Conventions:

·         The writer uses correct spelling, grammar, usage, punctuation, capitalization, paragraphing, quotation and citation. 

Content or Ideas:

·         The story is original and imaginative.

·         It’s focused primarily on a single event.

·         It effectively uses concrete detail to show rather than merely             tell.

·         Images (derived from whichever sense) are clear.

·         The world of the story has an internal consistency.

·         The events matter to someone.

·          Uses an effective point of view. 

Organization: 

·         It begins with a “hook” to grab the readers’ interest (perhaps an image, action, or dialogue).

·         The story develops purposefully, perhaps creating suspense or some other kind of tension.

·          The ending resolves a problem or perhaps leaves a problem deliberately unresolved.

·         The ending leaves the reader satisfied (perhaps creates artistic unity by referring back to the hook).

·          Paragraphing enhances clarity.

Voice: 

·         Voice conveys character(s).

·         Voice develops a tone or attitude.

·         Dialogue is natural and convincing.

Diction:

·         Words are precise and accurate.

·         Words are striking, powerful, and engaging.

·         Every word does work.

Sentence Fluency: 

·         Sentences show sensitivity to the rhythms of language and the connections between language and meaning.

·         Uses effective sentences including varied sentence length and structure (parallel structure, complex, compound, periodic, loose etc).

·         The writer builds longer sentences in effective places (to advance action; to pause and describe; to consider emotions).

·         Is naturalistic in tone.  May use stylistic sentences, especially in dialogue.

Conventions:

·         The writer uses correct spelling, grammar, usage, punctuation, capitalization, paragraphing, quotation and citation

·          Dialogue, in particular, is correctly punctuated.