Colorado 7th Grade ELA Standards in Writing and Composition

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RW.7.3 Writing and Composition

• RW.7.3.1 Write well-organized arguments using logical reasoning, relevant and credible evidence, acknowledgement of opposing claims, clear language, and formal style.
  • RW.7.3.1.a Write arguments to support claims with clear reasons and relevant evidence.
    • RW.7.3.1.a.i Introduce claim(s), acknowledge alternate or opposing claims, and organize the reasons and evidence logically.
    • RW.7.3.1.a.ii Support claim(s) with logical reasoning and relevant evidence, using accurate, credible sources and demonstrating an understanding of the topic or text.
    • RW.7.3.1.a.iii Use words, phrases, and clauses to create cohesion and clarify the relationships among claim(s), reasons, and evidence.
    • RW.7.3.1.a.iv Establish and maintain a formal style.
    • RW.7.3.1.a.v Provide a concluding statement or section that follows from and supports the argument presented.
• RW.7.3.2 Write well-developed informative/explanatory texts using logical organizational strategies, relevant supporting information, domain-specific vocabulary, and formal style.
  • RW.7.3.2.a Write informative/explanatory texts to examine a topic and convey ideas, concepts, and information through the selection, organization, and analysis of relevant content.
    • RW.7.3.2.a.i Introduce a topic clearly, previewing what is to follow; organize ideas, concepts, and information, using strategies such as definition, classification, comparison/contrast, and cause/effect; include formatting (for example: headings), graphics (for example: charts, tables), and multimedia when useful to aiding comprehension.
    • RW.7.3.2.a.ii Develop the topic with relevant facts, definitions, concrete details, quotations, or other information and examples.
    • RW.7.3.2.a.iii Use appropriate transitions to create cohesion and clarify the relationships among ideas and concepts.
    • RW.7.3.2.a.iv Use precise language and domain-specific vocabulary to inform about or explain the topic.
    • RW.7.3.2.a.v Establish and maintain a formal style.
    • RW.7.3.2.a.vi Provide a concluding statement or section that follows from and supports the information or explanation presented.
• RW.7.3.3 Write engaging real or imagined narratives effectively using techniques such as relevant description, sensory language, dialogue, and logical pacing to capture the action and detail experiences and events.
  • RW.7.3.3.a Write narratives to develop real or imagined experiences or events using effective technique, relevant descriptive details, and well-structured event sequences.
    • RW.7.3.3.a.i Engage and orient the reader by establishing a context and point of view and introducing a narrator and/or characters; organize an event sequence that unfolds naturally and logically.
    • RW.7.3.3.a.ii Use narrative techniques, such as dialogue, pacing, and description, to develop experiences, events, and/or characters.
    • RW.7.3.3.a.iii Use a variety of transition words, phrases, and clauses to convey sequence and signal shifts from one time frame or setting to another.
    • RW.7.3.3.a.iv Use precise words and phrases, relevant descriptive details, and sensory language to capture the action and convey experiences and events.
    • RW.7.3.3.a.v Provide a conclusion that follows from and reflects on the narrated experiences or events.
    • RW.7.3.3.a.vi Use stylistic techniques (for example: alliteration, onomatopoeia, rhyme scheme, repetition); figurative language (for example: simile, metaphor, personification); and graphic elements (for example: capital letters, line length, word position) to express personal or narrative voice.
• RW.7.3.4 Plan, draft, edit, and revise as needed to ensure that writing is clear and coherent, that it conforms to standard conventions for grammar, usage, and mechanics, and that its style is appropriate to task, purpose, and audience.
  • RW.7.3.4.a Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English grammar and usage when writing or speaking.
    • RW.7.3.4.a.i Explain the function of phrases and clauses in general and their function in specific sentences.
    • RW.7.3.4.a.ii Choose among simple, compound, complex, and compound-complex sentences to signal differing relationships among ideas.
    • RW.7.3.4.a.iii Place phrases and clauses within a sentence, recognizing and correcting misplaced and dangling modifiers.
  • RW.7.3.4.b Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English capitalization, punctuation, and spelling when writing.
    • RW.7.3.4.b.i Use a comma to separate coordinate adjectives (for example: It was a fascinating, enjoyable movie but not He wore an old[,] green shirt).
    • RW.7.3.4.b.ii Correctly spell frequently used words and consult reference materials (for example, dictionaries, both print and digital, spell check, and/or trusted peers and/or adults) to determine the spelling of less frequently used vocabulary.
  • RW.7.3.4.c Use knowledge of language and its conventions when writing, speaking, reading, or listening.
    • RW.7.3.4.c.i Choose language that expresses ideas precisely and concisely, recognizing and eliminating wordiness and redundancy.
  • RW.7.3.4.d Produce clear and coherent writing in which the development, organization, and style are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience.
  • RW.7.3.4.e With some guidance and support from peers and adults, develop and strengthen writing as needed by planning, revising, editing, rewriting, or trying a new approach, focusing on how well purpose and audience have been addressed.
  • RW.7.3.4.f Use technology, including the Internet, to produce and publish writing and link to and cite sources as well as to interact and collaborate with others.
  • RW.7.3.4.g Write routinely over extended time frames (time for research, reflection, and revision) and shorter time frames (a single sitting or a day or two) for a range of discipline-specific tasks, purposes, and audiences.