Number

Level

Looks Like

1

Not Yet

The writing lacks a central idea or purpose. The writing is characterized by:

• ideas that are extremely limited or simply unclear.
• attempts at development that are minimal or non-existent; the paper is too short to demonstrate the development of an idea.
• lack of focus.

2

Emerging

Main ideas and purpose are somewhat unclear or development is attempted but minimal. The writing is characterized by:

• a purpose and main idea(s) that may require extensive inferences by the reader.
• minimal development of main idea; insufficient details.
• irrelevant details that clutter the text.
• extensive repetition of detail.

3

Developing

The reader can understand the main ideas, although they may be overly broad or simplistic, and the results may not be effective. Supporting detail is often limited, insubstantial, overly general, or occasionally slightly off-topic. The writing is characterized by:

• an easily identifiable purpose and main idea.
• predictable or overly-obvious main ideas or plot; conclusions or main points seem to echo observations heard elsewhere.
• support that is attempted, but developmental details that are often limited in scope, uneven, somewhat off-topic, predictable, or overly general. (expository, persuasive, for example)
• details that may not be well-grounded in credible resources; they may be based on cliches, stereotypes or questionable sources of information.
• difficulties when moving from general observations to specifics.

4

Competent

The writing is clear and focused. The reader can easily understand the main ideas. Support is present, although it may be limited or rather general. The writing is characterized by:

• an easily identifiable purpose.
• clear main idea(s).
• supporting details that are relevant, but may be overly general or limited in places; when appropriate, resources are used to provide accurate support.
• a topic that is explored/explained, although developmental details may occasionally be out of balance with the main idea(s); some connections and insights may be present.
• content and selected details that are relevant, but perhaps not consistently well-chosen for audience and purpose.

5

Experienced

The writing is clear, focused and interesting. It holds the reader's attention. Main ideas stand out and are developed by supporting details suitable to audience and purpose. The writing is characterized by:

• clarity, focus and control.
• main idea(s) that stand out.
• supporting, relevant, carefully selected details; when appropriate, use of resources provides strong, accurate, credible support.
• a thorough, balanced explanation/exploration of the topic; the writing makes connections and shares insights.
• content and selected details that are well-suited to audience and purpose.

6

WOW!

The writing is exceptionally clear, focused and interesting. It holds the reader's attention. Main ideas stand out and are developed by strong support and rich details suitable to audience and purpose. The writing is characterized by:

• clarity, focus and control.
• main idea(s) that stand out.
• supporting, relevant, carefully selected details; when appropriate, use of resources provides strong, accurate, credible support.
• a thorough, balanced in-depth explanation/exploration of the topic; the writing makes connections and shares insights.
• content and selected details that are well-suited to audience and purpose