STAAR Writing Rubric

1. STAAR Writing Rubric 7th Grade | Personal Narrative

2. Score Point 1 • Form/structure inappropriate for purpose • Marginal organizational strategies/literary devices do not fit prompt • Details do not contribute to narrative • Lack of focus on personal experience weakens unity and coherence of narrative • Narrative presentation weak • Repetitious/wordy • Lacks transitions; flow is unclear or difficult to follow • Inappropriate details (vague or insufficient) • Response to prompt is vague or confused. Does not address prompt • Failure to create realistic situation • Failure to address motivations for behavior or actions • Failure to show awareness of changes • Failure to show insight the developed because of experience • Word choice is vague/limited • Writing shows no awareness of purpose • Sentence structure is simple, awkward, uncontrolled • No command of syntax (sentence structure, spelling, capitalization, punctuation, grammar and writing conventions)

3. Score Point 2 • Form/structure somewhat appropriate for purpose; may not communicate importance or meaning • Some details do not contribute to the narrative; focus may not be held constant • Narrative presentation is inconsistent • Some repetition/wordiness • Transitions and sentence-to-sentence connections are weak • Link is not made between experience and its meaning • Development of narrative is minimal or surface level because details are missing • Details provide little or no understanding of why this experience was meaningful • Narrative has little or no thoughtfulness • Provide some elements of realistic situation; but few motivations for behavior or actions • Does not address insight or lesson learned from experience • Word choice is general or imprecise; limits ability to relate story • Reflects basic awareness of purpose • Awkward or somewhat controlled sentence structure • Partial command of spelling, capitalization, punctuation, grammar and writing conventions • Errors create distraction or disruption in writing fluency or meaning

4. Score Point 3 • Form/structure is mostly appropriate for purpose • Response is related or tied directly to prompt • Organizational strategies/lit. devices suit task • Experience and meaning is conveyed • Details support narrative • Focuses on specific experience and does not waver • Coherent, but might have lapses in focus • Meaningful transitions • Links experience to meaning • Reflects some thoughtfulness; reflects realistic situation • Provides reasonable motivation for behavior and actions • Includes reasonable insight / “lesson learned” from experience • Word choice is specific and concrete; reflects purpose • Sentences are varied and adequately controlled • Adequate command of spelling, writing conventions, grammar, syntax

5. Score Point 4 • Structure is appropriate for purpose • Response is focused • All details contribute to effectiveness of narrative • Focus is held on specific personal experience • Presentation is well controlled; meaningful transitions are made • Connection is made between experience and its meaning • Thoughtful and engaging; motivations for behavior and actions are included and focused • Insight or changes are noted based on experience • Word choice is vivid and expressive • Sentences are purposeful, varied and well controlled • Consistent command of syntax, grammar and spelling