Score Level 1 Anchor Paper

This response provides minimal support about the experience of learning to talk. Due to the brevity of the essay, elaboration is sparse, and no organizational structure is demonstrated.

Score Level 1 Anchor Paper

This response provides minimal support about a trip to OZZFEST, but it is too brief to demonstrate an organizational structure. As a result, the elaboration seems randomly presented (It was fun; see a lot of attractive girls; we got lost).

Score Level 2 Anchor Paper

This oversimplified response about a tornado attempts an organizational structure, but the elaboration is presented somewhat randomly. As a result, a coherent sequence is difficult to find. Details of the event are either incomplete (I would watch storm movies; see if we could help out some) or general (very interesting night; very interesting looking; the biggest that I have ever seen). The result is an oversimplified essay that only attempts to address the writing purpose.

Score Level 2 Anchor Paper

This oversimplified response about a trip to a Detroit Tigers baseball game attempts an organizational structure by using a clear introduction and conclusion. However, the elaboration is incomplete (I got lost…but I found my back) and the word choice repetitious (with my dad and brother), leaving many unanswered questions about the experience. The development of the ideas needs to be more coherently presented and more fully elaborated to achieve a higher score.

Score Level 2 Anchor Paper

This oversimplified response addresses the memories of a lacrosse season. An organizational structure is attempted, but the elaboration is primarily general (very fun; we played good and other times we played bad; a lot of us won’t play at a higher level; I just love the game). The result is an incomplete essay with few specific details and little awareness of the audience’s understanding and interest.

Score Level 3 Anchor Paper

Focusing on a trip to Disney World, this complete essay provides an organizational structure with adequate support and elaboration. The writer uses clear word choices (had a blast; overcame our fears) and competently transitions between ideas. More specific support and elaboration, as well as more purposeful word choice, are needed to achieve a higher score.

Score Level 3 Anchor Paper

This complete essay uses a formulaic five-paragraph structure to describe memories of a trip to Hilton Head, South Carolina. Support is adequate and clearly stated (take a nap in the shade when I got tired; a perfect course where the grass was trimmed neatly; never a shortage of things to do). However, much of each paragraph consists of a general preview and conclusion, instead of providing more specific support and elaboration - both of which are needed to achieve a higher score.

Score Level 3 Anchor Paper

This complete essay uses a clear organizational structure to describe the memory of being tested for a brain tumor. Although the word choice is purposeful at times (abnormal symptoms; became dizzy at random times; aleveate my pain), most of the elaboration is only adequate (there wasn’t a day that I was not worried; I realized that I wasn’t ready to die). More consistent use of purposeful word choice and richer development are needed for a higher score.

Score Level 4 Anchor Paper

From introduction to conclusion, this organized, well-developed essay layers relevant elaboration describing the memory of a girl getting her ears pierced. The writer provides relevant, complete details and consistently purposeful word choice (seemed so daring and mature; Anticipation was building inside of me; an insane, one-eyed demon; I started bawling) that effectively engage the reader’s attention.

Score Level 4 Anchor Paper

Using a seamless, effective organizational structure, this writer presents a well-developed description of the memory of a childhood bee sting. The support is relevant and complete, and purposeful word choice is consistently provided throughout the response (striped in yellow and black, gave off a droning, whining buzz; harbored evil in their speck-sized brains; the very substance of nightmares and deaths stalked and captured me; sensing my impending doom curdling within). Close attention to audience is demonstrated, and the reader is engaged by a thoughtful and evocative tone in the descriptions.