STARR Rubric Review

• No need to repeat the prompt in introduction or conclusion

• Use your strongest argument last

Must have an effective THESIS statement

Focus

The central idea is missing

The essay is hard to understand because it has extra information and or shifts from one idea to another

(This is why planning is important)

Progression

Wordiness or repetition causes disruption in the essay

Ideas are random

There are no transitions

Examples are weak, inappropriate, unclear, or incomplete in the essay

Response to the prompt is weak

Writer does not understand expository writing

Development of Ideas

Word Choice

Word choice is vague or confusing

Word choice takes away from the essay

Tone is not established

Reflects little or no expository purpose

Sentences are simplistic, awkward, or uncontrolled which limits the effectiveness of the essay

Sentence Fluency

There are many grammar, punctuation, or spelling mistakes which makes the writing difficult to read and understand

Conventions

>Focus

Writer has a weak or unclear central idea

Ideas generally relate to the prompt but irrelevant information interferes with the focus of the essay

> Progression

Wordiness or repetition disrupts the flow of the essay

Weak transitions

Sentence-to-sentence connections are weak

Ideas are not logical and controlled

Examples and details aren’t always appropriate

Details don’t really support the central idea and are surface-level

Essay reflects little or no thoughtfulness

Writer’s response to the prompt follows a specified pattern (formulaic.)

Limited understanding of the writing task

> Development of Ideas

> Word Choice

Word choice may be general or imprecise.

Word choice limits the essay.

Tone is not appropriate to expository writing.

Reflects a basic awareness of the expository purpose (to explain.)

Sentences are awkward and somewhat controlled

(Does every sentence have a purpose? Are my sentences in the best place, right order? Does my writing seem choppy?)

> Sentence Fluency

Writer makes many mistakes the 7th grade students should not be making

>Conventions

> Focus

The writer has a clear central idea

Most ideas strongly relate to the central idea and generally keep the paper focused, specific to the prompt

Sufficient meaningful transitions

Sentence-to-sentence connections are sufficient to support the flow of the essay

Ideas are generally logical and controlled

> Progression

Examples and details are satisfactory

Details support the central idea and add some depth to the essay

Essay has original ideas and reflects some thoughtfulness

Good understanding of the writing task.

> Development of Ideas

> Word Choice

Word choice is mostly clear and specific

Generally effective word choice assists the essay

Reflects an awareness of the tone appropriate to expository writing

General awareness of expository purpose

Sentences are varied and adequately controlled, for the most part

> Sentence Fluency

> Conventions

Writer shows occasional grammar mistakes

Occasional punctuation or spelling mistakes

The writer has a clear central idea

All ideas strongly relate to the central idea and keep the paper focused, specific to the prompt

> Focus

Meaningful transitions

Strong sentence-to- sentence connections

Paper is controlled and flows smoothly

Ideas are organized logically

> Progression

> Development of Ideas

Examples and details are very clear, well chosen

Details support the central idea and add depth to the essay

Essay is thoughtful and engaging

Thorough understanding of the writing task

> Word Choice

Word choice is clear and concise

Effective word choice enhances the essay

Maintains a tone appropriate to expository writing.

Keen awareness of expository purpose

Sentences are purposeful, varied, and well controlled

> Sentence Fluency

> Conventions

Writer shows consistent command of grammar

Minor punctuation or spelling mistakes