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Level 1 writers are able to express themselves with ease in all situations, whether familiar or unfamiliar. Their vocabulary is wide and varied, with word choice being consistently appropriate and meaningful. They are able to paraphrase accurately, and use idiomatic expressions appropriately. They display consistent and accurate use of grammatical structure, sentence patterns, and word order. They address the writing task effectively by elaborating on ideas and citing details or specific examples. Thoughts and ideas are organized in a logical, sequenced manner which makes it easy to determine the meanings or messages of the composition. Their writing is clear, consistent, cohesive, and persuasive.

Level 2 writers are able to communicate their ideas effectively in nearly all situations. Their writing is marked by the use of detail to create appropriate and informative passages. Grammatical structure and sentence patterns are usually well controlled, with only rare errors that almost never interfere with meaning. They display a wide vocabulary and are able to paraphrase consistently and effectively. Their writing is organized, with thoughts and ideas laid out in a logical manner. It is almost always clear, consistent, and cohesive, and is generally persuasive.

Level 3 writers are usually able to communicate their ideas effectively and create compositions that are appropriate and informative. Grammatical structure and sentence patterns are usually well controlled, with some errors, although these seldom interfere with meaning. They usually display appropriate word choice and the ability to paraphrase when lacking vocabulary in unusual or unexpected circumstances. Thoughts and ideas usually follow a logical sequence and demonstrate competent organization. Their writing is usually clear, consistent, and cohesive but sometimes lacks persuasiveness.

Level 4 writers are generally able to communicate their ideas in most situations and create compositions that are appropriate and informative. Grammatical structure and sentence patterns are generally well controlled, with errors that sometimes interfere with meaning. They generally display appropriate word choice and the ability to paraphrase when lacking vocabulary in unusual or unexpected circumstances. Thoughts and ideas are generally organized, with attempts to maintain logical sequencing. Their writing is generally clear, consistent, and cohesive but has a tendency to lack persuasiveness.

Level 5 writers are generally able to communicate their ideas in common situations but may have trouble when dealing with unfamiliar or uncommon events. Their compositions may be inappropriate or lack detail. Grammatical structure and sentence patterns are still generally well controlled, although errors are likely to interfere with meaning. They sometimes display appropriate word choice and the ability to paraphrase effectively. Thoughts and ideas are sometimes organized but can lack logical sequencing. Their writing is only sometimes clear, cohesive, and consistent, frequently lacking persuasiveness.

Level 6 writers are sometimes able to communicate their ideas in common situations but often struggle to effectively express themselves when dealing with unfamiliar or uncommon situations. Their compositions commonly lack detail or contain irrelevant information. Grammatical structure and sentence patterns are often not well controlled, with errors that frequently interfere with understanding. They commonly display inappropriate word choice and paraphrasing that inadequately conveys any meaning or message. Attempts at organizing thoughts and ideas are made, but these seldom follow a logical sequence. The writing is frequently unclear, lacking in cohesion, and inconsistent. It is rarely persuasive.

Level 7 writers generally have a difficult time communicating their ideas in common situations, and this problem becomes more serious when they attempt to express unfamiliar or uncommon situations. Their compositions usually lack detail or contain irrelevant or inappropriate information. Grammatical structure and sentence patterns are often inappropriate, with errors that usually interfere with understanding. They frequently display inappropriate word choice and an inability to paraphrase effectively. Thoughts and ideas have no discernible organization and very rarely follow a logical sequence. The writing is very often unclear, lacking in cohesion, and inconsistent. Level 7 writers are almost never persuasive.

Level 8 writers usually have a difficult time expressing their ideas in common situations and are frequently unable to effectively respond when dealing with unfamiliar or uncommon situations. Compositions frequently lack detail and contain a lot of irrelevant or inappropriate information. Frequent grammatical structure and sentence pattern errors are made, almost always interfering with understanding. Word choice is very often inappropriate and confusing, and attempts at paraphrasing usually fail. Thoughts and ideas are scattered haphazardly. The writing is almost always unclear, inconsistent, and lacking in cohesion and persuasiveness.

Level 9 writers frequently have a difficult time communicating their ideas in common situations and are almost always unable to effectively respond when dealing with unfamiliar or uncommon situations. Compositions almost always lack detail and contain a lot of irrelevant and inappropriate information. Grammatical structure and sentence patterns are almost always uncontrolled, with serious errors that almost always interfere with understanding. Word choice is inappropriate for the most part, and attempts at paraphrasing almost always fail. The lack of logic and sequencing of the thoughts and ideas makes it extremely difficult to understand the message or meaning that the composition is supposed to convey.

Level 10 writers almost always have a difficult time expressing their ideas, even in common or familiar situations. Compositions almost always lack even basic detail and are filled with irrelevant and inappropriate information that prevents readers from determining the purpose of the writing. Grammatical structure and sentence patterns are uncontrolled, which always interferes with understanding. Word choice is almost always inappropriate, with no attempts at paraphrasing. The absence of any organization or sequencing of thoughts and ideas prevents readers from understanding the composition.

Level 11 writers may exhibit a vocabulary of a handful of memorized words and isolated phrases only. They are unable to express themselves in a meaningful way.