7th Grade | Personal Narrative

STAAR WRITING RUBRIC

Score Point 1 Form/structure inappropriate for purpose Marginal organizational strategies/literary devices do not fit prompt Details do not contribute to narrative Lack of focus on personal experience weakens unity and coherence of

narrative Narrative presentation weak Repetitious/wordy Lacks transitions; flow is unclear or difficult to follow Inappropriate details (vague or insufficient) Response to prompt is vague or confused. Does not address prompt Failure to create realistic situation Failure to address motivations for behavior or actions Failure to show awareness of changes Failure to show insight the developed because of experience Word choice is vague/limited Writing shows no awareness of purpose Sentence structure is simple, awkward, uncontrolled No command of syntax (sentence structure, spelling, capitalization,

punctuation, grammar and writing conventions)

Score Point 2 Form/structure somewhat appropriate for purpose; may not communicate

importance or meaning Some details do not contribute to the narrative; focus may not be held constant Narrative presentation is inconsistent Some repetition/wordiness Transitions and sentence-to-sentence connections are weak Link is not made between experience and its meaning Development of narrative is minimal or surface level because details are missing Details provide little or no understanding of why this experience was meaningful Narrative has little or no thoughtfulness Provide some elements of realistic situation; but few motivations for behavior or

actions Does not address insight or lesson learned from experience Word choice is general or imprecise; limits ability to relate story Reflects basic awareness of purpose Awkward or somewhat controlled sentence structure Partial command of spelling, capitalization, punctuation, grammar and writing

conventions Errors create distraction or disruption in writing fluency or meaning

Score Point 3 Form/structure is mostly appropriate for purpose Response is related or tied directly to prompt Organizational strategies/lit. devices suit task Experience and meaning is conveyed Details support narrative Focuses on specific experience and does not waver Coherent, but might have lapses in focus Meaningful transitions Links experience to meaning Reflects some thoughtfulness; reflects realistic situation Provides reasonable motivation for behavior and actions Includes reasonable insight / “lesson learned” from experience Word choice is specific and concrete; reflects purpose Sentences are varied and adequately controlled Adequate command of spelling, writing conventions, grammar,

syntax

Score Point 4Structure is appropriate for purposeResponse is focusedAll details contribute to effectiveness of narrativeFocus is held on specific personal experiencePresentation is well controlled; meaningful transitions

are madeConnection is made between experience and its meaningThoughtful and engaging; motivations for behavior and

actions are included and focusedInsight or changes are noted based on experienceWord choice is vivid and expressiveSentences are purposeful, varied and well controlledConsistent command of syntax, grammar and spelling