HSPA Language Arts Tutorial Cluster 2: Writing to Persuade

Writing Sample Scoring "5"

The following  writing sample for the Sample Persuasive Writing Prompt C scored a "5" based on the New Jersey Registered Holistic Scoring Rubric.  

Scorers made the following comments about the sample below:

This sample shows a clear progression of ideas with a single distinct focus (violence inherent in the species). The essay uses transitions, but they are not quite fully developed. The mechanics are solid, although marked by a few misspellings and run-on sentences. The writing is clear but not quite fluent or sophisticated enough to score a "6". The sample also includes a writing risk (a biblical allusion) that works fairly well.