Writing Assessment 4 Word Choice

5 Words convey the intended message in a precise, interesting, and natural way. The words are powerful and engaging.

A. Words are specific and accurate. It is easy to understand just what the writer means.

B. Striking words and phrases often catch the reader's eye and linger in the reader's mind.

C. Language and phrasing are natural, effective, and appropriate for the audience.

D. Lively verbs add energy while specific nouns and modifiers add depth.

E. Choices in language enhance the meaning and clarify understanding.

F. Precision is obvious. The writer has taken care to put just the right word or phrase in just the right spot.

 

3 The language is functional, even if it lacks much energy. It is easy to figure out the writer's meaning on a general level.

A. Words are adequate and correct in a general sense, and they support the meaning by not getting in the way.

B. Familiar words and phrases communicate but rarely capture the reader's imagination.

C. Attempts at colorful language show a willingness to stretch and grow but sometimes reach beyond the audience (thesaurus overload!).

D. Despite a few successes, the writing is marked by passive verbs, everyday nouns, and mundane modifiers.

E. The words and phrases are functional with only one or two fine moments.

F. The words may be refined in a couple of places, but the language looks more like the first thing that popped into the writer’s mind.

 

1 The writer demonstrates a limited vocabulary or has not searched for words to convey specific meaning.

A. Words are so nonspecific and distracting that only a very limited meaning comes through.

B. Problems with language leave the reader wondering. Many of the words just don’t work in this piece.

C. Audience has not been considered. Language is used incorrectly making the message secondary to the misfires with the words.

D. Limited vocabulary and/or misused parts of speech seriously impair understanding.

E. Words and phrases are so unimaginative and lifeless that they detract from the meaning.

F. Jargon or clichés distract or mislead. Redundancy may distract the reader.