Social Studies HS Guide

further development to be persuasive or clear.

Organization Scores in this domain reflect the ability to organize ideas with clarity and purpose. Organizational choices are integral to effective writing. Competent writers arrange their essay in a way that clearly shows the relationships between ideas, and they guide the reader through their discussion.

ORI 501 Provide a coherent organizational structure with some logical sequencing of ideas ORI 502 Use accurate and clear transitional words and phrases to convey logical relationships between ideas ORI 503 Present a generally well-developed introduction and conclusion

6.W.1.a , 7.W.1.a , 8.W.1.a Introduce claims. 6.W.1.a and c, 7.W.1.a and c, 8.W.1.a and c Organize the reasons and evidence clearly and clarify the relationships among claim(s) and reasons. 6.W.1.e, 7.W.1.e, 8.W.1.e Provide a concluding statement or section that follows from the argument presented. 6.W.2.c, 7.W.2.c, 8.W.2.c Use appropriate transitions to create cohesion and clarify the relationships among ideas and concepts. 6.L.1, 7.L.1, 8.L.1 Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English grammar and usage when writing or speaking. 6.L.2, 7.L.2, 8.L.2 Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English capitalization, punctuation, and spelling when writing.

• Have students compare the outline of an original essay to the outline of a model essay and discuss ways to reorganize the original writing to make it more effective. • In an editing workshop, have students review others’ writing to see if smooth transitions are provided from one paragraph to the next. • Have students practice writing an introduction that briefly but effectively introduces a context for the discussion as well as a thesis. • Encourage students to consider • Have students read original writing aloud to hear and identify language errors. • In an editing workshop, have students revise writing to reduce unnecessary repetition of words or phrases and to replace vague language with more precise words. ways to conclude an essay that emphasize the thesis without restating the discussion or otherwise being repetitive.

Language and Conventions Scores in this domain reflect the ability to use written language to convey arguments with clarity. Competent writers make use of the conventions of grammar, syntax, word usage, and mechanics. They

USL 501 Show competent use of language to communicate ideas by • correctly employing most

conventions of standard English grammar, usage, and mechanics

61