Writing

1. @Establish and refine a topic or thesis that addresses the specific task and audience.

2. @Gather the information needed to build an argument, provide an explanation, or address a research question.

3. @Sustain focus on a specific topic or argument.

4. @Support and illustrate arguments and explanations with relevant details, examples, and evidence.

5. @Create a logical progression of ideas or events, and convey the relationships among them.

6. @Choose words and phrases to express ideas precisely and concisely.

7. Use varied sentence structures to engage the reader and achieve cohesion between sentences.

8. Develop and maintain a style and tone appropriate to the task, purpose, and audience.

9. Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard written English, including grammar, usage, and mechanics.

10. Represent and cite accurately the data, conclusions, and opinions of others, effectively incorporating them into one's own work while avoiding plagiarism.

11. Assess the quality of one's own writing, and, when necessary, strengthen it through revision.

12. Use technology as a tool to produce, edit, and distribute writing.

When **writing to inform or explain**, students must also do the following:

13. Synthesize information from multiple relevant sources, including graphics and quantitative information when appropriate, to provide an accurate picture of that information.

14. Convey complex information clearly and coherently to the audience through purposeful selection and organization of content.

15. Demonstrate understanding of content by reporting facts accurately and anticipating reader misconceptions.

When **writing arguments**, students must also do the following:

16. Establish a substantive claim, distinguishing it from alternate or opposing claims.

17. Link claims and evidence with clear reasons, and ensure that the evidence is relevant and sufficient to support the claims.

18. Acknowledge competing arguments or information, defending or qualifying the initial claim as appropriate.