CATEGORY

Content: FOCUS Topic/subject is

clear, though it
1

may/may not be
explicitly stated.

NS/0

Topic/subject is Topic/subject
generally clear may be vague.
though it may
not be explicitly
stated.

Topic/subject is
unclear or
confusing.

This code may

be used for
compositions
that are entirely
illegible or
otherwise
unscoreable:
blank
responses,
responses
written in a
foreign
language,
restatements of
the prompt,
responses that
are off-topic or
incoherent.

Content:
ORGANIZATION
1

Organizational
structure
establishes
relationship
between/among
ideas/events.

Organizational
structure
establishes
relationships
between
ideas/events,
although minor
lapses may be
present.

Organizational
structure
establish some
relationship
between/among
some of the
ideas/events. The
structure is
minimally
complete.

Organizational
structure does
not establish
connection
between/among
ideas/events. The
overall stucture is
incomplete or
confusing.

This code may

be used for
compositions
that are entirely
illegible or
otherwise
unscorable:
blank
responses,
responses
written in a
foreign
language,
restatements of
the prompt,
responses that
are off-topic or
incoherent.

Content:
SUPPORT

Support
information is
related to and
supportive of the
topic/subject.

Support
information has
minor
weaknesses in
relatedness to
and/or support
of the
topic/subject.

Support
information has
major
weaknesses in
relatedness to
and/or support of
the topic/subject.

An attempt has
been made to
add support
information, but it
was unrelated or
confusing.

This code may

be used for
compositions
that are entirely
illegible or
otherwise
unscorable:
blank
responses,
responses
written in a
foreign
language,
restatements of
the prompt,
responses that
are off-topic or
incoherent.

Exhibits minimal Lacks use of

This code may
Content: STYLE Exhibits skillful Exhibits
use of vocabulary reasonable use use of vocabulary vocabulary that is be used for
- Vocabulary
that is precise
and purposeful.

of vocabulary
that is precise

that is precise
and purposeful.

precise and
purposeful.

compositions
that are entirely

and purposeful.

illegible or
otherwise
unscorable:
blank
responses,
responses
written in a
foreign
language,
restatements of
the prompt,
responses that
are off-topic or
incoherent.

Content: FOCUS Maintains focus

on topic/subject
2

May exhibit
minor lapses in
focus on
topic/subject.

May lose or may May fail to

exhibit major
establish focus
lapses in focus
on topic/subject.
on topic/subject.

Content:
ORGANIZATION
2

There is a
logical
progression of
ideas/events
and is
reasonably
complete,
although minor
lapses may be
present.

One or more
major lapses in
the logical
progression of
ideas/events is
evident.

Ideas/events are This code may

presented in a
be used for
random fashion. compositions
that are entirely
illegible or
otherwise
unscorable:
blank
responses,
responses
written in a
foreign
language,
restatements of
the prompt,
responses that
are off-topic or
incoherent.

Elaboration
consists of
some specific
details.

Elaboration
consists of
general and/or
undeveloped
details, which
may be
presented in a
list-like fashion.

Elaboration is
sparse; almost
no details.

throughout
response.

Organization is a
logical
progression of
ideas/events and
is unified and
complete.

Elaboration
Content:
ELABORATION consists of
specific,
developed
details.

This code may

be used for
compositions
that are entirely
illegible or
otherwise
unscorable:
blank
responses,
responses
written in a
foreign
language,
restatements of
the prompt,
responses that
are off-topic or
incoherent.

This code may

be used for
compositions
that are entirely
illegible or
otherwise
unscorable:
blank
responses,
responses

written in a
foreign
language,
restatements of
the prompt,
responses that
are off-topic or
incoherent.

Content: STYLE
- Sentence
Fluency

Demonstrates
skillful sentence
fluency (varies
length, good flow
rhythm, and
varied structure).

Demonstrates
reasonable
sentence
fluency.

Demonstrates
Sentence fluency This code may
minimal sentence is lacking.
be used for
fluency.
compositions
that are entirely
illegible or
otherwise
unscorable:
blank
responses,
responses
written in a
foreign
language,
restatements of
the prompt,
responses that
are off-topic or
incoherent.