Writing
Though the ACT Aspire has declared the writing mode for each grade level, students should write in all modes
in all grades. The three modes of ACT Aspire writing are argumentative, reflective narrative, and expository.
The Performance Level Descriptors are indicators of how students will be evaluated at each grade level.
According to the ADE and ACT, the PLDs “... outline the knowledge, skills, and practices that students
performing at any given level achieve in each content area at each grade level.” Below are the PLDs at the
Ready level. The difference between Ready and Exceeding is usually exchanging a word like mostly with a
word like consistently or a word like clear with a word like precise. These PLDs are available through ACT
Aspire on the ADE website if you want to look at the entire document. Hopefully, this document will simplify the
writing skills that we need to concentrate on throughout the year as we have our students write.
3rd Grade Narrative Mode Students write reflective narratives to convey ideas through the development of
real or imagined experiences or events.
The student can
• identify an experience and provides a mostly clear and relevant reflection on the event.
• use specific details that are related to general reflection statements.
• use a mostly clear organizational structure and some transitional words and phrases.
• use mostly precise word choice; uses a tone and voice that are mostly appropriate for narrative writing;
uses slightly varied sentence structures; writes with few grammatical, usage, or spelling errors that
rarely impede understanding.
4th Grade Expository Mode Students write analytical expository texts to examine a topic and convey ideas
and information clearly
The student can
• identify a topic and provides a mostly relevant analysis.
• provide specific details and generalized ideas that adequately connect to the analysis.
• use a mostly clear organizational structure and appropriate transitional words and phrases.
• use mostly precise word choice; uses a tone and voice that are mostly appropriate for expository writing; uses
slightly varied sentence structures; writes with few grammatical, usage, or spelling errors that rarely impede
understanding.
5th Grade Argumentative Mode- Students write arguments with sound reasoning, support claims with clear
and relevant reasons and organize and communicate ideas persuasively.
The student can
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introduce a topic and state an opinion.
provide supporting details and clear examples that are linked to the opinion.
use mostly clear organizational structure with an mostly relevant introduction and conclusion and uses
appropriate transitional words and phrases.
use mostly precise word choice; maintain a mostly appropriate tone and voice.
use slightly varied sentence structures.
write with few grammatical, usage, or spelling errors that rarely impede understanding.
6th Grade Reflective Narrative Mode- Students write reflective narratives to convey ideas through the
development of real or imagined experiences or events.
The student can
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describe a mostly relevant experience and reflect on its significance.
use relevant details and sequencing to sustain the narration.
use descriptive language and some sensory details.
use organizational structure with transitions to connect ideas and provide a reflective closure.
use mostly precise word choice.
use appropriate tone and voice.
vary sentence structures.
write with few grammatical, usage, or spelling errors that rarely impede understanding.
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7th Grade Expository Mode- Students write analytical expository texts to examine a topic and convey ideas,
concepts, and information through the selection, organization, and analysis of relevant content.
The student can
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identify a topic and provide a mostly relevant analysis.
provide an adequate introduction and conclusion.
provide specific examples that are relevant and support the analysis.
use a clear and consistent organizational structure with appropriate transitions.
use mostly precise word choice, tone, and voice for expository writing.
vary sentence structures.
write with few grammatical, usage, or spelling errors that rarely impede understanding.
8th Grade Argumentative Mode- Students write arguments with sound reasoning, support claims with clear
and relevant reasons and organize and communicate ideas persuasively.
The student can
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state a position and present an argument.
provide mostly relevant and logical supporting claims and details.
demonstrate recognition of implications, complications, and counterarguments of the issue.
provide an adequate introduction and conclusion.
establish an organizational structure and use transitions that clarify relationships between ideas.
use mostly precise word choice.
maintains a mostly consistent and appropriate tone and voice.
vary sentence structure.
write with few grammatical, usage, or spelling errors that rarely impede understanding.
Early High School (9-10) Expository Mode- Students write analytical expository texts to examine a topic and
convey ideas, concepts, and information through the selection, organization, and analysis of relevant content.
The student can
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provide a sufficient introduction and sufficient analysis of the subject’s complexity.
present specific examples that enhance the analysis of main ideas.
use an organizational structure that is clear and consistent.
use mostly precise word choice
use sufficiently varied sentence structures
write with few grammatical, usage, or spelling errors that rarely impede understanding
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