Writing Continuum (8th grade) Argument
Focus & Organization
THE RESPONSE
 Consistently and thoroughly
distinguishes the claim(s) from
alternate or opposing claims.
(W.8.1a)
 Often distinguishes the claim(s) from
alternate or opposing claims.
(W.8.1a)
 Occasionally distinguishes the
claim(s) from alternate or opposing
claims. (W.8.1a)
 Does not have an opposing
claim(s). (W.8.1a)
 Consistently uses words, phrases,
and clauses to create cohesion.
(W.8.1c)
 Often uses words, phrases, clauses to
create cohesion. (W.8.1c)
 Occasionally uses words, phrases,
and clauses, to create cohesion.
(W.8.1c)
 Does not use words, phrases,
and/or clauses to create cohesion.
(W.8.1c)
 Provides a strong concluding
statement or section that follows
from the argument presented.
(W.8.1e)
 Provides an adequate concluding
statement or section that follows
from the argument presented.
(W.8.1e)
 Provides a weak concluding
statement or section that follows
from the arguments presented.
(W.8.1e)
 Does not have a concluding
statement or section that follows
from the argument. (W.8.1e)
 Sustains clear and coherent
writing appropriate to task,
purpose, and audiences. (W.8.4)
 Inconsistently sustains clear and
coherent writing appropriate to task,
purpose, and audiences. (W.8.4)
 Infrequently sustains clear and
coherent writing appropriate to task,
purpose, and audiences. (W.8.4)
 Does not sustain clear and
coherent writing appropriate to
task, purpose, and audiences.
(W.8.4)
 Consistently uses only relevant
information. (W.8.8)
 Often uses relevant information.
(W.8.8)
 Occasionally uses relevant
information. (W.8.8)
 Does not use relevant information.
(W.8.8)
Evidence & Elaboration
Writing Continuum (8th grade) Argument
 Consistently supports claims with 
logical reasoning and relevant
evidence using accurate, credible
sources. (W.8.1b)
Often supports claims with logical
reasoning and relevant evidence
using accurate, credible sources.
(W.8.1b)

Occasionally supports claims with
reasoning and relevant evidence
using accurate, credible sources.
(W.8.1b)
 Does not support claims with
reasoning and relevant evidence
using accurate, credible sources.
(W.8.1b)
 Consistently uses words, phrases, 
and clauses to clarify the
relationships among claim(s),
counterclaims, reasons, and
evidence. (W.8.1c)
Often uses words, phrases, and
clauses to clarify the relationships
among claim(s), counterclaims,
reasons, and evidence. (W.8.1c)

Occasionally uses words, phrases,
and clauses to clarify the
relationships among claim(s),
counterclaims, reasons, and
evidence. (W.8.1c)
 Does not use words, phrases, and
clauses to clarify the relationships
among claim(s), reasons, and
evidence. (W.8.1c)
 Provides a concluding statement 
or section that clearly supports
the argument presented (W.8.1e)
Provides a concluding statement or
section that adequately supports the
arguments presented.(W.8.1e)

Provides a concluding statement or
section that minimally supports
the arguments presented. (W.8.1e)
 Does not have a concluding
statement or section that supports
the arguments presented.(W.8.1e)
 Clearly presents the relationships 
between information and ideas.
(W.8.6)
Adequately presents the
relationships between information
and ideas. (W.8.6)

Minimally presents the
relationships between information
and ideas. (W.8.6)
 Does not show relationships
between information and ideas.
(W.8.6)
 Consistently quotes or
paraphrases the data and
conclusions of others while
avoiding plagiarism. (W.8.8)

Often quotes or paraphrases the data
and conclusions of others while
avoiding plagiarism. (W.8.8)

Occasionally quotes or paraphrases
the data and conclusions of others
while avoiding plagiarism. (W.8.8)
 Does not quote or paraphrase the
data and conclusions of others
while avoiding plagiarism or
plagiarism is evident. (W.8.8)
 Consistently draws evidence
from literary or informational
texts to support analysis,
reflection, and research. (W.8.9)

Often draws evidence from literary or
informational texts to support
analysis, reflection, and research.
(W.8.9)

Occasionally uses evidence from
literary or informational texts to
support analysis, reflection, and
research. (W.8.9)
 Does not have evidence from
literary or informational texts to
support analysis, reflections, and
research to support the
argument/claim. (W.8.9)
Conventions
Style
Writing Continuum (8th grade) Argument
 Clearly establishes and maintains 
a formal writing style appropriate
to task, purpose, and audience.
(W.8.1d, W.8.4)
Adequately maintains a formal
writing style appropriate to task,
purpose, and audience. (W.8.1d,
W.8.4)

Minimally includes a formal writing
style appropriate to task, purpose,
and audience. (W.8.1d, W.8.4)
 Does not have a formal writing
style appropriate to task, purpose,
and audience. (W.8.1d, W.8.4)
 Consistently and accurately uses
grade-appropriate general
academic and domain-specific
vocabulary and phrases. (L.8.6)
Often uses grade-appropriate general
academic and domain-specific
vocabulary and phrases. (L.8.6)

Occasionally uses gradeappropriate general academic and
domain-specific vocabulary and
phrases is (L.8.6)
 Does not use grade-appropriate
general academic or domainspecific vocabulary and phrases
(L.8.6)
Adequately uses sentence structure,
verb tense, and punctuation to
support claim, establish tone and
mood, and add clarity. (W.8.4, L.8.3,
L.8.1d)

Minimally uses sentence structure,
verb tense, and punctuation to
support claim, establish tone and
mood, and add clarity. (W.8.4,
L.8.3, L.8.1d)
 Does not use sentence structure,
verb tense, and punctuation to
support claim, establish tone and
mood, and add clarity. (W.8.4,
L.8.3, L.8.1d)

Demonstrates a weak command of
the convention of Standard English
grammar and usage when writing
(e.g. capitalization, punctuation,
and spelling) is limited.
(L.8.1,W.8.2)
 Does not demonstrate a command
of the conventions of Standard
English grammar and usage when
writing. (L.8.1, W.8.2)

Minimally follows a format for
citation, avoiding plagiarism.
(W.8.8)
 Does not follow a standard format
for citation or plagiarizes. (W.8.8)

 Purposefully and effectively uses 
sentence structure, verb tense,
and punctuation to support
claim, establish tone and mood,
and add clarity. (W.8.4, L.8.3,
L.8.1d)
 Demonstrates a strong command
of the conventions of Standard
English grammar and usage when
writing. (e.g. capitalization,
punctuation, and spelling)
(L.8.1,W.8.2)
 Demonstrates an adequate command
of the conventions of Standard English
grammar and usage when writing.
(e.g. capitalization, punctuation, and
spelling) (L.8.1,W.8.2)
 Clearly follows a standard format 
for citation all of the time to
avoid plagiarism. (W.8.8)
Adequately follows a standard format
for citation to avoid plagiarism.
(W.8.8)