• Clear Focus. Writing is clearly focused when you can easily see what it is about and can sum up the main idea in one sentence.
  
• Strong Support. Writing has strong support when the writer backs up the main idea with specific explanations, examples, or details. 
  
• Great Beginnings. A great beginning captures your attention, introduces the topic, and gives you an idea of what’s coming next.
  
• Logical Order. Writing has logical order when the writer presents his or her thoughts in a way that is easy to follow and makes the ideas clear.
  
• Memorable Endings. Memorable endings come at just the right place, make the writing feel complete, and stick in your mind.
  
• Precise Words. Precise words are exactly right and make it easy for you to understand what the writer means. Nouns are specific, and verbs are lively.
  
• Vivid Images. Writing has vivid images when the words paint a picture in your mind and make it easy for you to imagine what is being described.
  
• Individual Voice. Writing has an individual voice when you feel that the writer is speaking directly to you, cares about the topic, and is saying what he really thinks.
  
• Easy Flow. Writing has an easy flow when the sentences work together in a way that matches the meaning. The writing is easy to read aloud and sounds good to your ear.
  
• Good Ideas. Writing based on good ideas grabs your attention. It tells you something new, or makes you think about something ordinary in a new way.

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Narrative Mode

• Clear Focus. A story is clearly focused when you can easily see what it is about. You can sum up the meaning in one sentence.
  
• Strong Support. A story has strong support when the writer includes specific details that back up the main idea. 
  
• Great Beginnings. A great beginning captures your attention and makes you want to keep reading.
  
• Logical Order. Writing has logical order when the writer tells you things in an order that makes sense. You want to keep reading so you can find out what happens next.
  
• Memorable Endings. Memorable endings come at just the right place, make the story feel complete, and stick in your mind.
  
• Precise Words. Precise words are exactly right and make it easy for you to understand what the writer means. Nouns are specific, and verbs are lively.
  
• Vivid Images. Writing has vivid images when the words paint a picture in your mind and make it easy for you to imagine what is being described.
  
• Individual Voice. Writing has an individual voice when you feel that the writer is speaking directly to you and really cares about the story he or she is telling.
  
• Easy Flow. Writing has an easy flow when the sentences work together in a way that matches the meaning. The writing is easy to read aloud and sounds good to your ear.
  
• Good Ideas. A story based on good ideas grabs your attention. It might give you something new to think about. Or it might make you think about something in a new way. Or it might just be fun to read.

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Persuasive Mode

• Clear Focus. Persuasive writing is clearly focused when the writer takes a clear stand. You can easily see what the topic is and can sum up the writer’s position in one sentence.
  
• Strong Support. A position has strong support when the writer backs it up with specific reasons, evidence, or examples.
  
• Great Beginnings. A great beginning captures your attention. It sets up the writer’s position on a topic and gives you an idea of what is coming next.
  
• Logical Order. Writing has a logical order when the writer presents his or her thoughts in a way that is easy to follow and makes the argument strong.
  
• Memorable Endings. Memorable endings come at just the right place, make the argument feel complete, and stick in your mind.
  
• Precise Words. Precise words are exactly right and make it easy for you to understand what the writer means. Nouns are specific, and verbs are lively.
  
• Vivid Images. Writing has vivid images when the words paint a picture in your mind. They make it easy for you to imagine what is being described. They help make the writer’s argument convincing.
  
• Individual Voice. Writing has an individual voice when you feel that the writer is speaking directly to you or to a specific audience. You sense that the writer cares about the topic and is saying what he or she really thinks.
  
• Easy Flow. Writing has an easy flow when the sentences work together in a way that matches the topic. The writing is easy to read aloud and sounds good to your ear.
  
• Good Ideas. Writing based on good ideas grabs your attention. The writer presents a topic worth caring about. Or the writer makes you think about a familiar topic in a new way.

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