The State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness, commonly known as STAAR, includes an essay writing component for 7th grade students. On the STAAR writing test, students are given a writing prompt and asked to craft an organized multi-paragraph essay in response within a limited time period. While each prompt and student response will be unique, reviewing sample 7th grade writing STAAR essays can help students understand the format and scoring criteria. The following provides analyses of seven example essays and their strengths and weaknesses based on the STAAR writing rubric.
Example Essay #1: In response to the prompt “Should students have to wear uniforms to school? Plan and write an essay that considers both sides of the issue,” this 305-word essay argues that school uniforms should be required. The introduction presents the issue and thesis statement that uniforms reduce distractions and bullying. Three body paragraphs each discuss a reason uniforms are beneficial: they remove focus on brand names or styles, prevent bullying based on clothing, and make it easier for parents with multiple children. Each reason is supported by a brief example or detail. The conclusion restates the thesis that uniforms create a safer and less distracting learning environment.
This essay shows a clear organization with an introduction, three body paragraphs each addressing a separate reason, and a conclusion. Each paragraph has a controlling idea and supporting details. The argument is reasonable and the details like reducing costs for parents and focus on learning rather than fashion help support the perspective. While the introduction could be more engaging, overall this response meets the 7th grade STAAR writing standards of clear organization, sufficient development, and logical argumentation.
Example Essay #2: In response to the prompt “Should students have cell phones at school? Plan and write an essay that considers both sides of the issue.” This 274-word essay argues that cell phones should be allowed at school for certain uses. The introduction presents both sides of the issue and the thesis that cell phones can be educational if used properly. The first body paragraph discusses how cell phones allow students to access educational apps and online research when special projects require it. The second body paragraph explains that cell phones also let students stay connected to parents for safety reasons like afterschool activities or emergencies. Both body paragraphs provide a clear example to develop the point. The conclusion restates the main reasons cell phones can enhance learning when used appropriately.
This response effectively considers both sides by acknowledging potential distractions of phones but arguing they have educational value if rules are set. Each paragraph is focused on a controlling idea and supports it with an illustrative detail. While the introduction is short, the overall organization with introduction, two body paragraphs, and conclusion meets the standard. This essay shows logical progression of ideas and sufficient development to support the argument that some cell phone use enhances learning. The perspective considers multiple factors to reach a reasonable conclusion, meeting much of what is expected for 7th grade writing.
Example Essay #3: In response to the prompt “Should students have more homework or less homework? Plan and write an essay that considers both sides of the issue”, this 261-word essay argues students should have less homework. The introduction presents both sides and the thesis that less homework allows for family time and extracurricular activities. The first body paragraph explains too much homework causes stress and prevents relaxing after school. The second body paragraph states homework cutting into family time and activities is unhealthy. Both points are developed with brief details. There is no conclusion or restatement of the thesis.
This essay shows a basic organization with an introduction and two body paragraphs each with a controlling idea and supporting detail. It is lacking a conclusion to tie the argument together. The reasons given for less homework, like stress and family/activities, are reasonable perspectives but could be strengthened with more elaboration or examples for a 7th grader. While it presents both sides briefly in the introduction, it does not sufficiently acknowledge any potential value of homework. Overall, the structural organization and undeveloped details reflect an essay that approaches but does not fully meet 7th grade writing standards. Adding a conclusion and more thorough perspective could lift this response higher.
Example Essay #4: In response to the prompt “Should schools start later in the morning? Plan and write an essay that considers both sides of the issue”, this 282-word essay argues schools should start later. The introduction presents the issue and a thesis that adolescents need more sleep. The first body paragraph explains how research shows teens biologically cannot fall asleep before 11pm and need 8-10 hours of sleep. The second body paragraph notes starting earlier disrupts this natural sleep cycle, leading to tiredness in classes. Both points are developed with facts, studies, and logical reasoning. The conclusion restates the biological need for later start times.
This essay demonstrates a clear organizational structure with an introduction, two body paragraphs each with a controlling idea and relevant supporting details, and a conclusion. Unlike some of the previous examples, it goes beyond opinion to consider biology and sleep research facts that thoroughly support its perspective. While a brief counterargument for the other side could strengthen it slightly, the focused reasoning shows sophisticated understanding for a 7th grader essay. By utilizing logic and credible supporting details from multiple relevant sources, it serves as an exemplary model of a well-developed persuasive 7th grade writing STAAR response.
Example Essay #5: In response to the prompt “Should students be allowed to have snacks or drinks in class? Plan and write an essay that considers both sides of the issue”, this 319-word essay argues snacks and drinks should sometimes be allowed in moderation. The introduction presents both sides of distraction versus nourishment. The first body paragraph explains how snacks provide sustenance for long school days and learning. The second body paragraph acknowledges disruptions may occur but proposes clear rules like only water bottles at desks could solve this. A brief conclusion restates the middle ground position.
This essay shows a clear organizational structure and progresses logically between introduction and conclusion. It considers multiple factors to reach a balanced perspective rather than an absolute stance. Each paragraph has a controlling idea and supporting details. While the response could be more thoroughly developed at parts, overall it meets 7th grade writing standards through sufficient organization, inclusion of relevant text features, and reasonable consideration of complex issue nuances. The tone remains objective as it weighs options to propose pragmatic solutions. This essay serves as a solid model at the expected level.
Example Essay #6: In response to the prompt “Should sports and extracurricular activities take priority over academics in school funding? Plan and write an essay that considers both sides of the issue”, this 308-word essay argues academics should be the priority. The introduction presents the issue and a clear thesis. The first body paragraph explains the importance of education for students’ futures. The second body paragraph notes sports/activities can enhance learning but should not replace academics as the core function of schools. There is no conclusion or restatement of the thesis.
This essay demonstrates an effective organizational structure with a clear introduction and two well-developed body paragraphs, each with a relevant controlling idea and supporting details. The argument is logically supported and shows an understanding of multiple perspectives. While missing a conclusion, it sufficiently ties the evidence back to the introduction through the flow of ideas. At the expected 7th grade level, it develops a complex issue in an organized, well-reasoned manner. Adding a brief concluding paragraph to fully tie the knots would have lifted this even higher as a model response. Overall, it shows a student clearly understands the components of a successful analytical multi-paragraph essay.
Example Essay #7: In response to the prompt “Should students learn a foreign language? Plan and write an essay that considers both sides of the issue”, this 262-word essay argues students should learn a foreign language. The introduction presents both perspectives and a thesis that language study provides valuable life skills. The first body paragraph explains how bilingualism or multilingualism helps with critical thinking and cognitive development. The second body paragraph notes language skills open career opportunities in many fields like healthcare, business, and teaching. Both points are effectively developed with supporting details and logic. The conclusion restates the importance of language learning’s lifelong benefits.
This final example essay contains all the key elements of a strong 7th grade writing response. It addresses a complex issue by outlining clear reasoning and factors on both sides before effectively supporting its own perspective. The logical flow of ideas progresses smoothly between an engaging introduction to a satisfying conclusion. Each paragraph focuses on a discrete element and thoroughly augments it with illustrative details. Overall development and organization reflect comprehension of the nuanced demands at this grade level. While certainly not a perfect model, it serves as an apt representation of the quality of analysis, argumentation, and writing craft expected to meet or exceed 7th grade STAAR writing standards.
Reviewing these seven sample 7th grade writing STAAR essays highlights traits of responses that closely align with state writing standards at this level versus those needing improvement. Strong examples demonstrate clear organization, presence of an evidentiary framework to reasonably support a position, variety of sentence structure, objective consideration of complex issues from multiple viewpoints, and effective application of appropriate writing techniques. Weaknesses include lack of structure, undeveloped details, singular perspective without counterargument acknowledgment, or conclusion omission. Carefully analyzing both proficient and deficient examples equips students to better understand scoring criteria and compose responses meeting all assessment expectations.
Andrew Stroud