ISAT - Student Writing Checklist 
Narrative, Grade 6-8

Focus

	I use my introduction to set the purpose of my composition.
•	I have an interesting start to my story that catches the reader’s attention.
•	My composition is about the subject or topic.
•	I write a closing that effectively unifies my writing. 

Elaboration 

•	I use specific examples and details to describe the event or experience and my reactions and/or the reactions of others.
•	I balance my use of description throughout my composition.
	I use the same voice* throughout my composition. 
•	I use a variety of specific and descriptive words and phrases to make my composition more interesting for the reader.
•	I use words correctly and purposefully.

Organization

•	My composition moves logically through time and has a beginning, 
a middle, and an ending.
•	I use paragraphing to help organize my story.
•	I use transition words and phrases to connect my sentences and paragraphs so that my composition flows smoothly when I read it.
•	My sentences begin in different ways.
•	My sentences are different lengths to make my composition more interesting.
•	I avoid using the same words over and over again.  

Conventions

	I use complete sentences.
•	I spell familiar words correctly.
•	I use capitalization and punctuation correctly.
•	I make sure that the subject of my sentence agrees with the verb.
•	I use the same verb tense throughout my composition.

Voice – The individuality of the writer coming through on the page. Voice gives writing a 
distinctiveness. The reader of the composition has the feeling that the writer is talking directly
to him or her.