Northwest Evaluation Association Learning Continuum Release 1.0

Composition Structure - Students work with sentences and paragraphs, use the correct form for their writing, and understand composition forms.

Skills and Concepts

RIT Scores between 161 and 170

Use Sentence Forms Appropriate to Purpose
· Identify sentence types: statement, command, question, and exclamation. The vocabulary and sentence length increase in difficulty throughout the increased RIT range.
Develop Paragraphs
· Identify off-topic sentences
· Choose specific phrases to finish sentence
Use Composition Forms
· Determine genre (i.e. poem, letter, story, ad, etc.)
· Choose audience when writing a friendly letter
· Use rhyme in some poetry
· Use correct structure in letter writing
New Vocabulary: poem, letter, story, ad, statement, command, question, exclamation, style, sentence, rhyme, book, paragraph

RIT Scores between 171 and 180

Use Appropriate Format
· Identify topic sentence
· Identify correct paragraph
Use Sentence Forms Appropriate to Purpose
· Use all four sentence types
· Focus on sentence question structure
Develop Paragraphs
· Given four sentences choose the one that doesn't belong
· Choose a sentence to add to the paragraph on-topic
· Use strong concluding sentences
· When given four simple sentences choose the best sentence order
· Choose the first sentence for the paragraph
· Use strong topic sentences
Use Composition Forms
· Write in the imaginative mode
· Use correct greetings in a friendly letter
· Write clear directions
· Write concise telephone messages
· Use correct format for business letters
· Use correct capitalization in greetings and closures
· Define the parts of narrative writing
New Vocabulary: missing word, first, ending, last, greeting, describe

RIT Scores between 181 and 190

Use Appropriate Format
· Use indentation for new paragraph
Use Sentence Forms Appropriate to Purpose
· Focus on declarative sentence structure
Develop Paragraphs
· When given four simple and compound sentences, choose the chronological order
· Choose sentence order when writing directions
· When given a 4-6 sentence paragraph, choose the off-topic sentence
· When given a series of short sentences, choose the group that iterates one idea
Use Composition Forms
· Write a job application paragraph
· Select appropriate titles for reports
New Vocabulary: topic sentence, best order, correct order, chronological order, parts of a letter, passage, complete sentence, main idea

RIT Scores between 191 and 200

Use Appropriate Format
· Use correct letter format
· Use strong topic sentences
Use Sentence Forms Appropriate to Purpose
· Focus on imperative sentence structure
Develop Paragraphs
· Develop paragraph with specific details
· Edit paragraph format for fragment and run-on sentences
· Plan for strong conclusions
· When given a 5-8 sentence paragraph, edit for off-topic sentences
· When reading a short story choose the best ending
· Choose the correct paragraph that best explains an action
· Choose a strong topic sentence
Use Composition Forms
· Use imagery in poetry
· Answer standard questions when writing a news story
New Vocabulary: title, information, review, author's purpose, narration, persuasion, sequence, composition

RIT Scores between 201 and 210

Use Appropriate Format
· Combine sentences into paragraph structure
Use Sentence Forms Appropriate to Purpose
· Focus on exclamatory sentence structure
Develop Paragraphs
· Choose the best definition for the term "topic sentence"
· Look for patterns of organization in a paragraph
· Order sentences into a concise paragraph
· Give directions in a systematic order
Use Composition Forms
· Use correct business letter structure
· Define parts of a research paper
· Define purposes of poetry (i.e. feelings, moods, expressions)
· Define paragraph by genre
· Identify parts of the newspaper
New Vocabulary: exclamatory sentence, encyclopedia, supporting detail

RIT Scores between 211 and 220

Use Appropriate Format
· Edit sentences into multi-paragraphs
· Use standard forms of indentation
Use Sentence Forms Appropriate to Purpose
· Use of vocabulary of declarative, imperative, interrogative and exclamatory terms
Develop Paragraphs
· Review several paragraphs and choose the best organization
· Determine the pattern of organization in a lengthy passage
· Choose best opening paragraph in a narrative piece of writing
· Determine method of organization (i.e. order of events, from examples to main idea, go from main idea to examples)
· Select clear details for paragraph
Use Composition Forms
· Write limericks
· Define composition forms in lengthy passages
New Vocabulary: limerick, formal essay, drama, declarative sentence, imperative sentence, interrogative sentence, tone, mood, pattern of organization

RIT Scores between 221 and 230

Use Appropriate Format
· Identify topic sentence when it is not the first sentence of the paragraph
Use Sentence Forms Appropriate to Purpose
· Identify all four sentence forms within a lengthy paragraph
Develop Paragraphs
· Select sentences that support topic sentences
· Select sentences that support conclusion
Use Composition Forms
· Determine mode by reading a lengthy passage
· Write in the persuasive mode
New Vocabulary: descriptive writing, incomplete sentence

RIT Scores between 231 and 240

Use Appropriate Format
· Edit sentences to create complete paragraphs
Use Sentence Forms Appropriate to Purpose
· Find the four sentence types within a given paragraph
New Vocabulary: none