Grade Level Writing Expectations - Seventh Grade

Writes Clearly and Effectively

Ideas/Development

Presents a central idea or thesis persuasively with coherent, concise, and relevant supporting data
Writes extended texts, especially on topics of special interest
Reflects understanding of cultures accurately in narrative writing, responses to literature, and speeches Organization
Organizes writing in a variety of ways
Organizes ideas into appropriate sequence using effective transitions between paragraphs

Organization

Organizes writing in a variety of ways
Organizes ideas into appropriate sequence using effective transitions between paragraphs

Voice

Maintains appropriate and consistent voice in historical, realistic, imaginative, and humorous fiction
Displays interest in content, using language and voice to convey humor or tension
Uses a rhythmic pattern in poetry
Uses a wide range of sentence structures, maintaining correct conventions

Sentence Fluency

Uses a rhythmic pattern in poetry
Uses a wide range of sentence structures, maintaining correct conventions

Word Choice

Includes rhetorical questions for greater impact, especially in introductions or conclusions
Uses technical or specialized terms for a range of subjects in a variety of contexts
Uses precise, appropriate, striking words and phrases to create a picture in the reader's mind

Conventions
Spelling	Capitalization	Punctuation	Grammar & Usage	Sentences / Paragraphs
Correct spelling of grade-level words Spells almost all words accurately at final draft stage Self-corrected spelling errors Correct spelling in final draft Resources to find correct spelling for words identified as misspelled	Capitals in an outline or list Consistent capitalization when formatting technical documents Resources to check capitalization	Commas to separate an interrupter (e.g., The teacher, however, was not impressed.) Correct use of semicolons to separate groups that contain commas (e.g., The Seahawks traveled to Washington, D.C.; New York, NY; and Oakland, CA.) Correct use of bullets in technical writing Correct uses of the dash (-): to indicate emphasis or a sudden break to set off an introductory series to show interrupted speech Hyphen to prevent confusion (e.g., re-elect) Resources to check punctuation	Correct use of adverbs vs. adjectives (e.g., Correct usage: He ran well in the race. Incorrect usage: He ran good in the race.) Correct use of comparative and superlative adjectives (e.g. better, best) Resources to check usage	Fragments used for effect or in dialog

Understands and Uses the Writing Process

Prewriting

Compares purposes and attributes of text forms at prewriting stage

Drafting

Composes, revises, and edits speedily when necessary
Manages several pieces of work at any one time and follows each through to completion
Takes stylistic risks

Sharing/Responding

Collaborates with peers at revision and editing stages for criticism and advice
Critiques and discusses style and content of own writing and that of others
Discusses how and why decisions about content, organization, audience, purpose, form, and style were made at each stage of the writing process

Revising

Composes, revises, and edits speedily when necessary
Accepts feedback and uses when appropriate

Editing

Composes, revises, and edits speedily when necessary
Edits to meet 7th grade standards of conventions
Understands and uses standard proofreading marks

Publishing

Uses technology for all stages of the writing process when appropriate
Selects from a variety of publishing options
Publishes work independently

Reflecting

Develops scoring guide for purpose, form, content, organization, style, and conventions
Uses appropriate terminology to describe and justify language and techniques used
Self reflects on pieces selected for the portfolio

Addresses Audience, Purpose, and Form

Uses writing as a tool for exploring and sharing thoughts
Presents reasoned cases supporting and/or refuting points of view on current personal, local, national, and international issues
Writes material appropriate in form and content for visual and dramatic presentations
Shows increased understanding of the function and nature of more formal or job-specific forms of writing

Suggested Text Forms

	Literature or Literary Forms	Informational, Task-oriented, and/or Technical Writing
New to Grade Level	Ballad	Literary analyses (explain about point of view) Research papers Documentaries
Previously Introduced	Narrative: experiential stories Narrative: fictional stories (e.g., picture books, fantasy) Personal letters, cards, and notes Diaries/journals Recounts Rhymes Retellings Poems: patterned poetry, couplet, free verse, quatrain, haiku Plays Biographies and autobiographies Tall tales Comics Narrative essays Personal essays	Labels Captions Recounts Answers to questions Questions and answers Instructions (explain how to) Learning logs Reports Book reviews and reports Posters and brochures Directions/procedures (to a location, to a game, to make something) Paraphrase Expository essays (explain about, explain why, compare/contrast) Expository speeches (explain about, explain why) Newspaper and magazine articles Summaries Business letters (to thank, request, complain, explain, persuade) Letters to the editor Memos Literary analyses (explain about character, plot, setting, main idea) Editorials Interviews Minutes Persuasive essays/speeches Film and drama reviews