Second Grade
Score
Writes Clearly and Effectively
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4
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Maintains focus on topic and elaborates using details, examples, descriptions and
reasons
Organizes multiple sentences into paragraphs with a logical sequence
Uses transitional words (e.g., afterward, later on, in addition)
Narratives have evident problem and solution
Writes a variety of sentence beginnings, structures, types and lengths
Varies word choice (including descriptive, interesting, and effective words)
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Writes on topic using detail and elaboration
Organizes multiple sentences showing beginning, middle and ending in a logical
sequence
Groups related ideas and uses transitions frequently (e.g., first, next, after)
Narratives organized chronologically
Writes a variety of sentence beginnings, structures, types and lengths
Uses descriptive word choice
2
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Beginning to write on one topic with limited elaboration and details, often listing
Uses simple transitions (e.g. then, now, and)
Partially organizes ideas and details in a logical sequence
Some evidence of beginning, middle, or end
Uses simple sentences with limited variety of sentence beginnings and length
Limited variety of word choice
1
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Little or no clear topic or may wander from topic
Few or no details given to support topic
Little or no evidence of logical sequencing of ideas
Little or no evidence of organization (e.g., beginning, middle, end)
Short, choppy or incomplete sentences
No variety of word choice
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Response is “I don’t know”; response is question mark (?); response is one word;
response is only the title of the prompt; or the prompt is simply recopied
3
0
Score
Conventions
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2
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1
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0
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Consistently spells grade appropriate high frequency words correctly
Spells challenging words through transitional spelling; does not interfere with
communication of ideas
Uses grade level appropriate spelling patterns
Consistently capitalizes first word of sentence and proper nouns
Consistently uses correct punctuations at the end of sentences and in contractions
Generally spells high frequency words correctly although may use some
transitional spelling
Generally capitalizes sentences and proper nouns
Generally uses correct ending punctuation
Seldom spells high frequency words correctly, detracting from reader’s
understanding of written work
Seldom uses capitalization
Seldom uses ending punctuation
Incorrect use of capitalization or punctuation (except for quotation marks)