The Online Business Center

• The open-ended nature of the prompt allows students to address the prompt as they choose as long as their composition is in standard English prose. (Note: Poetry is not an acceptable form of response.) Students’ ability to use their own experience and perspective helps them effectively express their ideas about the topic.
• Each composition is evaluated on a 4-point scale using focused holistic scoring. Readers use a rubric, or set of specific criteria at each score point, to identify characteristics of the composition. At the same time, readers evaluate the student’s writing as a whole, taking into account the limitations imposed by the testing situation.
• The composition section of the TAKS writing test assesses Objectives 1 and 2. Objective 1 focuses on the quality of the composition’s content, while Objective 2 focuses on how clearly and effectively the student communicates his or her ideas. These objectives are inextricably linked because good writing must be both substantial and mechanically sound.
• The expectations for what constitutes a successful piece of writing will be appropriate for grade 7. For example, seventh graders do not generally have the same ability as high school students to connect and develop their ideas. In addition, writers at the middle school level are not expected to have the same level of spelling ability or range of vocabulary as more experienced writers. Some misspellings are anticipated in the composition, especially if the student attempts to use more advanced vocabulary.

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