Writing Assessment

Test takers Information: Age: 18 years old Grade and major: freshmen in college, majoring in computer science Number: 3 Language level: intermediate Native language: Chinese Location: China Objectives and KSDE Standards for ESOL: Grade 6-12 High Intermediate Vocabulary 1. Use extensive content-specific vocabulary, such as abstract terms and figurative language, with occasional support. 2. Use extensive academic vocabulary, including content-specific vocabulary, abstract terms and figurative language, with occasional support. Grammar 4. Use correct word order in complex sentences and questions with adverbial and relative clauses, with occasional support. 5. Use noun-pronoun agreement in complex sentences with adverbial and relative clauses, with occasional support. 6. Use subject-verb agreement in complex sentences with adverbial and relative clauses, with occasional support. 8. Use transitional words and phrases to compose a cohesive message within and among sentences and paragraphs, with occasional support. Writing 9. Use punctuation, including quotation marks, colons, and Conventions semi-colons, with occasional support. 11. Spell grade-level and content-specific words, with occasional support. Personal 13. Using the writing process, express ideas, opinions and feelings Information with extensive command of content-specific vocabulary and language structures, using organizational structures, including relevant reasons, with occasional support. Academic 19. Summarize and paraphrase speech or text about content-related Information topics, with extensive command of content-specific vocabulary and language structures, with occasional support. 20. Using the writing process, compose a persuasive essay using an appropriate organizational structure and logical arguments, with occasional support. Test Description/Information - Direction There will be two sessions in this writing test. Session I is a report from a local newspaper of the United States. Test-takers will have 8 minutes to read the news and

the task is to summarize the news. Test-takers will have 15 minutes to write the summarization. Session II is independent writing. Students will have 30 minutes to write a complete essay according to the requirement. Test Instruments This test will be presented via Skype, materials will be emailed to test-takers beforehand.

Scoring A total of 10 points will be awarded, each session accounts for 5 points. The rating of each session will follow the same rubrics as followed: 5 3 1 Ideas The paper is clear and focused. It holds the readers attention. Relevant anecdotes and details enrich the central theme. The organization enhances and showcases the central idea or theme. The order, structure, or presentation of information is compelling and moves the reader through the text. Words convey the intended message in a precise, interesting, and natural way. The words are powerful and engaging. The writer speaks directly to the reader in a way that is individual, compelling, and The writer is beginning to define the topic, even though development is still basic or general. The organizational structure is strong enough to move the reader through the text without too much confusion. As yet, the paper has no clear theme. To extract meaning, the reader must make inferences based on sketchy or missing details. Writing lacks a clear sense of direction. Ideas, details, or events seem strung together in a loose or random fashion; there is no identifiable internal structure. The writer demonstrates a limited vocabulary or has not searched for words to convey specific meaning. The writer seems indifferent, uninvolved, or distanced from the topic and/or the

Organization

Word choice

voice

The language is function, even if it lacks much energy. It is easy to figure out the writers meaning on a general level. The writer seems sincere but not fully engaged or involved. The result is pleasant, or even

engaging. The writer crafts the piece with an awareness of and respect for the audience and the writings purpose. Conventions The writer demonstrates a good grasp of standard writing convention and uses conventions effectively to enhance readability. Errors tend to be so few that just minor touch-ups would get this piece ready to publish. Sentence Fluency The writing has an easy flow, rhythm, and cadence. Sentences are well built, with strong and varied structure that invites expressive oral reading. Presentation The form and presentation of the text enhances the ability for the reader to understand and connect with the message. It is pleasing to the eye. (Modified from 6+1 Traits)

personable, but not compelling.

audience.

The writer shows reasonable control over a limited range of standard writing conventions. Conventions are sometimes handled well and enhance readability; at other times, errors are distracting and impair readability. The text hums along with a steady beat, but tends to be more pleasant or businesslike than musical, more mechanical than fluid. The writers message is understandable in this format.

Errors in spelling, punctuation, capitalization, grammar and usage, and/or paragraphing repeatedly distract the reader and make the text difficult to read.

The read has to practice quite a bit in order to give his paper a fair interpretive reading.

The reader receives a garbled message due to problems relating to the presentation of the text.

Writing Test Session I Instruction: In this session, you will 8 minutes to read a piece of news from a local American newspaper. After reading it, you will have 15 minutes to write a summarization based on the news.

Session II Instruction: Write an essay according to the following question (30 minutes): It is better to grow up with siblings than without. Do you agree or disagree? Use specific reasons and examples to develop your essay.

Students Answer Sheets & Evaluation Student #1

Evaluation: Section 1: 2/5

Idea The writer is beginning to define the topic, even though developm ent is still basic or general. Organization The organizational structure is strong enough to move the reader through the text without too much confusion. Word choice The language is function, even if it lacks much energy. It is easy to figure out the writers meaning on a general level. Voice The writer seems sincere but not fully engaged or involved. The result is pleasant, or even personable, but not compelling. Voice The writer seems sincere but not fully engaged or involved. The result is pleasant, or even personable, but not compelling. Conventions The writer shows reasonable control over a limited range of standard writing conventions. Conventions are sometimes handled well and enhance readability; at other times, errors are distracting and impair readability. Conventions The writer shows reasonable control over a limited range of standard writing conventions. Conventions are sometimes handled well and enhance readability; at other times, errors are distracting and impair readability. Sentence fluency The text hums along with a steady beat, but tends to be more pleasant or businesslike than musical, more mechanical than fluid. Sentence fluency The text hums along with a steady beat, but tends to be more pleasant or businesslike than musical, more mechanical than fluid. Presentatio n The writers message is understand able in this format.

Section 2:
Idea The writer is beginning to define the topic, even though developm ent is still basic or general.

3/5
Organization The organizational structure is strong enough to move the reader through the text without too much confusion. Word choice The language is function, even if it lacks much energy. It is easy to figure out the writers meaning on a general level. Presentatio n The writers message is understand able in this format.

Total score:

5/10

Student #2 Section 1

Section 2

Evaluation: Section 1: 1/5

Idea As yet, the paper has no clear theme. To extract meaning, the reader must make inferences based on sketchy or missing details. Organization Writing lacks a clear sense of direction. Ideas, details, or events seem strung together in a loose or random fashion; there is no identifiable internal structure. Word choice The writer demonstrate s a limited vocabulary or has not searched for words to convey specific meaning. Voice The writer seems indifferent , uninvolve d, or distanced from the topic and/or the audience. Conventions Errors in spelling, punctuation, capitalization, grammar and usage, and/or paragraphing repeatedly distract the reader and make the text difficult to read. Sentence fluency The read has to practice quite a bit in order to give his paper a fair interpretiv e reading. Presentation The reader receives a garbled message due to problems relating to the presentation of the text.

Section 2: 2/5
Idea The writer is beginning to define the topic, even though developm ent is still basic or general. Organization The organizational structure is strong enough to move the reader through the text without too much confusion. Word choice The language is function, even if it lacks much energy. It is easy to figure out the writers meaning on a general level. Voice The writer seems sincere but not fully engaged or involved. The result is pleasant, or even personable, but not compelling. Conventions The writer shows reasonable control over a limited range of standard writing conventions. Conventions are sometimes handled well and enhance readability; at other times, errors are distracting and impair readability. Sentence fluency The text hums along with a steady beat, but tends to be more pleasant or businesslike than musical, more mechanical than fluid. Presentatio n The writers message is understand able in this format.

Total score: 3/10

 Student #3 Section 1

Section 2

Evaluation: Section 1: 3/5

Idea The writer is beginning to define the topic, even though developm ent is still basic or general. Organization The organizational structure is strong enough to move the reader through the text without too much confusion. Word choice The language is function, even if it lacks much energy. It is easy to figure out the writers meaning on a general level. Voice The writer seems sincere but not fully engaged or involved. The result is pleasant, or even personable, but not compelling. Conventions The writer shows reasonable control over a limited range of standard writing conventions. Conventions are sometimes handled well and enhance readability; at other times, errors are distracting and impair readability. Conventions The writer shows reasonable control over a limited range of standard writing conventions. Conventions are sometimes handled well and enhance readability; at other times, errors are distracting and impair readability. Sentence fluency The text hums along with a steady beat, but tends to be more pleasant or businesslike than musical, more mechanical than fluid. Presentatio n The writers message is understand able in this format.

Section 2: 3/5
Idea The writer is beginning to define the topic, even though developm ent is still basic or general. Organizatio n The organization al structure is strong enough to move the reader through the text without too much confusion. Word choice The language is function, even if it lacks much energy. It is easy to figure out the writers meaning on a general level. Voice The writer seems sincere but not fully engaged or involved. The result is pleasant, or even personable, but not compelling. Sentence fluency The text hums along with a steady beat, but tends to be more pleasant or businesslike than musical, more mechanical than fluid. Presenta tion The writers message is understa ndable in this format.

Total score:

6/10