Pennsylvania Writing Assessment Domain Scoring Guide FOCUS CONTENT ORGANIZATION STYLE CONVENTIONS 4 Sharp, distinct Substantial, specific, Sophisticated Precise, Evident control of controlling point and/or illustrative arrangement of content illustrative use of a grammar, mechanics, made about a content with evident and/or variety of words usage and sentence single topic with demonstrating subtle transitions and sentence formation evident awareness strong development structures to create of task and sophisticated consistent writer’s ideas voice and tone appropriate to audience 3 Apparent Sufficiently Functional arrangement Functional use of a Sufficient control of made about a developed content of content that sustains a variety of words grammar, mechanics, single topic with logical order and sentence and sentence sufficient structures that may formation awareness of task or may not create writer’s voice and tone appropriate to audience 2 Evidence of a Significantly limited Confused or inconsistent Generic word Significant weaknesses single controlling content with arrangement of content choice and limited in control of grammar, topic but no inadequate with or without attempts control of sentence mechanics, and apparent point elaboration or at transition structures that sentence formation explanation inhibit voice and tone 1 Minimal evidence Superficial and/or Minimal control of Minimal control of Severe weaknesses in of controlling severely limited content arrangement word choice and control of grammar content sentence structures mechanics, and sentence formation
Pennsylvania Writing Assessment Domain Scoring Guide FOCUS CONTENT ORGANIZATION STYLE CONVENTIONS 4 Sharp, distinct controlling point made about a single topic with evident awareness of task Substantial, specific, and/or illustrative content demonstrating strong development and sophisticated ideas Sophisticated arrangement of content with evident and/or subtle transitions Precise, illustrative use of a variety of words and sentence structures to create consistent writer’s voice and tone appropriate to audience Evident control of grammar, mechanics, usage and sentence formation 3 Apparent made about a single topic with sufficient awareness of task Sufficiently developed content Functional arrangement of content that sustains a logical order Functional use of a variety of words and sentence structures that may or may not create writer’s voice and tone appropriate to audience Sufficient control of grammar, mechanics, and sentence formation 2 Evidence of a single controlling topic but no apparent point Significantly limited content with inadequate elaboration or explanation Confused or inconsistent arrangement of content with or without attempts at transition Generic word choice and limited control of sentence structures that inhibit voice and tone Significant weaknesses in control of grammar, mechanics, and sentence formation 1 Minimal evidence of controlling Superficial and/or severely limited content Minimal control of content arrangement Minimal control of word choice and sentence structures Severe weaknesses in control of grammar mechanics, and sentence formation