Style

Formal essay writing style is more limited than its creative counterparts. The style strand evaluates the formal register, or formal style, of the author’s writing as well as their craft.

Register:
This criterion addresses the appropriateness of the style and language for the task and audience. For academic writing pieces assessed using this rubric, we strive for formal register.

Craft:
Craft refers to the specific writer’s moves in expository writing.

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Register
Craft

0
1
2 Style 2
3 Style 3 (Set 1) Style 3 (Set 2)
4 Style 4 (Set 1) Style 4 (Set 2) Style 4 (Set 3)
5 Style 5 (Set 1) Style 5 (Set 2) Style 5 (Set 3)
6 Style 6
7 Style 7 (Set 1) Style 7 (Set 2)
8 Style 8

- Uses mostly an informal tone in writing. Could include slang, symbols, or text speak. Writes in first person
- Attempts to incorporate a formal tone into writing.
- Attempts to establish and maintain a formal tone in writing.
- Writes primarily in third person; limited use of 1st person pronouns and 1st and 2nd person phrasing.
- Limited use of contractions.
- Almost always writes in 3rd person plural; appropriate verb tense;
- Establishes and maintains an appropriate distance with regard to purpose and audience;
- Limited use of contractions.
- Almost always writes with 3rd person plural phrasing with an appropriate distance;
- Appropriate verb tense, and clear pronoun use.
- Limited use of vague pronoun reference; almost no use of colloquialisms and contractions.
- Almost always writes with an appropriate distance, with regard to audience and purpose, maintaining consistent style and tone. Almost no vague pronouns.
- Consistently writes with an appropriate distance, with regard to audience and purpose, maintaining consistent style and tone.

- N/A 5th and 6th
- N/A 5th and 6th
- N/A 5th and 6th
- N/A 5th and 6th
- Attempts to use rhetorical device (i.e., rhetorical questions, analogies, figurative language, parallel structure) to engage reader.
- Attempts to use multiple rhetorical devices to engage reader.
- Attempts to use multiple rhetorical devices to engage reader. Use of varied syntax attempts to engage the reader.
- Effectively uses multiple rhetorical devices to engage reader.

Middle School Writing Rubric Bird's Eye View