Writing Continuum (7th grade) Argument
Focus & Organization
THE RESPONSE
 Clearly introduces claim(s) and
acknowledges alternate or
opposing claims. (W.7.1a)
 Adequately introduces the claim(s)
and may acknowledge alternate or
opposing claims. (W.7.1a)
 Minimally introduces claim(s) and
may acknowledge alternate or
opposing claims. (W.7.1a)
 Does not introduce claim(s) and
may acknowledge alternate or
opposing claims. (W.7.1a)
 Clearly and logically organizes the
reasons and evidence. (W.7.1a)
 Adequately organizes reasons and
evidence. (W.7.1a)
 Minimally organizes reasons and
evidence. (W.7.1a)
 Does not organize reasons and
evidence. (W.7.1a)
 Consistently uses words, phrases,
clauses to create cohesion.
(W.7.1c)
 Often uses words, phrases, clauses to
create cohesion. (W.7.1c)
 Occasionally uses of words, phrases,
and clauses for cohesion. (W.7.1c)
 Does not use words, phrases, and
clauses for cohesion. (W.7.1c)
 Provides a strong concluding
statement or section that follows
from the argument presented.
(W.7.1e)
 Provides an adequate concluding
statement or section that follows the
argument presented. (W.7.1e)
 Provides a weak concluding
statement that follows the argument
presented. (W.7.1e)
 Does not provide a concluding
statement that follows the
argument presented. (W.7.1e)
 Sustains clear and coherent
writing appropriate to task,
purpose, and audience. (W.7.4)
 Inconsistently sustains clear and
coherent writing appropriate to task,
purpose, and audience. (W.7.4)
 Infrequently sustains somewhat
clear and coherent writing
appropriate to task, purpose, and
audience (W.7.4)
 Does not sustain clear and
coherent writing appropriate to
task, purpose, and audience.
(W.7.4)
 Consistently uses only relevant
information. (W.7.8)
 Often uses relevant information.
(W.7.8)
 Occasionally use relevant
information. (W.7.8)
 Does not use relevant information.
(W.7.8)
Evidence & Elaboration
Writing Continuum (7th grade) Argument
 Consistently supports claim(s)

with clear reasons and relevant
evidence, using accurate, credible
sources. (W.7.1b)
Often supports claim(s) with reasons
and relevant evidence, using credible
sources. (W.7.1b)

Occasionally supports claim(s) with
reasons and relevant evidence,
using credible sources. (W.7.1b)
 Does not support claim(s) with
reasons and relevant evidence,
using credible sources. (W.7.1b)
 Consistently uses words, phrases, 
and clauses to clarify the
relationships among claim(s),
reasons, and evidence. (W.7.1c)
Often uses words, phrases, and
clauses to clarify the relationships
among claim(s) and reasons and
evidence. (W.7.1c)

Occasionally uses words, phrases,
and clauses to clarify the
relationships among claim(s) and
reasons and evidence. (W.7.1c)
 Does not use words, phrases, and
clauses to clarify the relationships
among claim(s), reasons, and
evidence. (W.7.1c)
 Provides a clear concluding
statement or section that
supports the argument
presented (W.7.1e)

Provides an adequate concluding
statement or section that supports
the arguments presented (W.7.1e)

Provides a weak concluding
statement or section that supports
the arguments presented. (W.7.1e)
 Does not have a concluding
statement or section that supports
the argument presented (W.7.1e)
 Consistently quotes or
paraphrases the data and
conclusions of others while
avoiding plagiarism. (W.7.8)

Often quotes or paraphrases data
and conclusions of others while
avoiding plagiarism. (W.7.8)

Occasionally quotes or paraphrases
conclusions of others while
avoiding plagiarism. (W.7.8)
 Does not quote or paraphrase the
data and conclusions of others or
plagiarism is evident. (W.7.8)
Often includes evidence from several
literary or informational texts to
support analysis, reflections, and
research within the argument/claim.
(W.7.7,W.7.9)

Occasionally includes evidence
from several literary or
informational texts to support
analysis, reflections, and research
within the argument/claim.
(W.7.7,W.7.9)
 Does not include evidence from
literary or informational texts to
support analysis, reflections, and
research within the
argument/claim. (W.7.7, W.7.9)
 Consistently includes evidence

from several literary or
informational texts to support
analysis, reflections, and research
within the argument/claim.
(W.7.7, W.7.9)
Conventions
Style
Writing Continuum (7th grade) Argument
 Clearly establishes and maintains 
a formal writing style appropriate
to task, purpose, and audience.
(W.7.1d, W.7.4)
Adequately establishes and maintains
a formal writing style appropriate to
task, purpose, and audience. (W.7.1d,
W.7.4)

Minimally establishes a formal
writing style appropriate to task,
purpose, and audience. (W.7.1d,
W.7.4)
 Does not establish a formal writing
style appropriate to task, purpose,
and audience. (W.7.1d, W.7.4)
 Consistently uses language and
sentence structures that express
ideas precisely and concisely.
(L.7.3 L.7.3a)

Often uses language and sentence
structures that express ideas precisely
and concisely. (L.7.3 L.7.3a)

Occasionally uses language and
sentence structures that express
ideas precisely and concisely. (L.7.3
L.7.3a)
 Does not use language and
sentence structures that express
ideas precisely and consistently.
(L.7.3 L.7.3a)
 Consistently and accurately uses
grade-appropriate general
academic and domain-specific
vocabulary and phrases. (L.7.6)

Often and accurately uses gradeappropriate general academic and
domain-specific vocabulary and
phrases. (L.7.6)

Occasionally uses gradeappropriate general academic and
domain-specific vocabulary and
phrases. (L.7.6)
 Does not use grade-appropriate,
general academic, nor domainspecific vocabulary and phrases.
(L.7.6)
 Demonstrates an adequate command
of the conventions of Standard English
grammar and usage when writing.
(e.g. capitalization, punctuation, and
spelling) (L.7.1,W.7.2)

Demonstrates a weak command of
the convention of Standard English
grammar and usage when writing
(e.g. capitalization, punctuation,
and spelling) is limited.
(L.7.1,W.7.2)
 Does not demonstrate a command
of the conventions of Standard
English grammar and usage when
writing. (L.7.1, W.7.2)

Minimally follows a format for
citation, avoiding plagiarism.
(W.7.8)
 Does not follow a standard format
for citation or plagiarizes. (W.7.8)
 Demonstrates a strong command
of the conventions of Standard
English grammar and usage when
writing. (e.g. capitalization,
punctuation, and spelling)
(L.7.1,W.7.2)
 Clearly follows a standard format 
for citation all of the time to
avoid plagiarism. (W.7.8)
Adequately follows a standard format
for citation to avoid plagiarism.
(W.7.8)