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 which almost never interfere with meaning. They display a wide vocabulary, and are able to paraphrase consistently and effectively. Their writing is clearly organized, with thoughts and ideas laid out in a logical manner. Their writing is almost always clear, consistent and cohesive, and is generally persuasive.

Level 3 writers are usually able to communicate their ideas effectively in nearly all situations. Their compositions are often appropriate and informative. Grammatical structure and sentence patterns are usually well-controlled, with occasional errors which seldom interfere with meaning. They often display appropriate word choice, and can usually paraphrase when lacking vocabulary in unusual or unexpected circumstances. Their compositions usually follow a logical sequence, often showing well organized structure. Their writing is usually clear, consistent and cohesive, but is only somewhat persuasive.

Level 4 writers are generally able to communicate their ideas in most situations. Their compositions are generally appropriate and informative. Grammatical structure and sentence patterns are commonly well controlled, with occasional errors which sometimes interfere with meaning. Their word choice is generally appropriate, and they can often paraphrase successfully when lacking vocabulary in unusual or unexpected circumstances. Their compositions are generally organized, with attempts to maintain the logical sequencing of thoughts and ideas. Their writings are generally clear, consistent, and cohesive, but are only persuasive sometimes.

Level 5 writers are generally able to communicate their ideas in common situations, but may occasionally have trouble when dealing with unfamiliar or uncommon events. Their compositions may occasionally be inappropriate or lack detail. Grammatical structure and sentence patterns are still generally well-controlled, although they will sometimes commit errors which would interfere with meaning. Word choice is generally appropriate, but writers of this level are sometimes unable to paraphrase effectively. Their compositions show some organization, but only occasionally follow a logical sequencing of thoughts and ideas. Their writing is only sometimes clear, cohesive, and consistent, and is seldom persuasive.

Level 6 writers are generally able to communicate their ideas in common situations, but are sometimes unable 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 commonly not well-controlled, with errors that generally interfere with understanding. Word choice is also generally inappropriate, and attempts at paraphrasing are commonly inadequate to convey any meaning or message effectively. Attempts at organizing thoughts and ideas are made, but seldom follow a logical sequence. The writing is frequently unclear, lacks cohesion, and is inconsistent, and is rarely persuasive.

Level 7 writers generally have a difficult time communicating their ideas in common situations, and are often unable to effectively express themselves when dealing with 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. Word choice is commonly inappropriate, and the writer is usually unable to paraphrase effectively. Compositions have no discernable organization, and rarely follow a logical sequence. The writing is rarely clear, and almost always lacks cohesion and consistency. 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 often lack detail, and contain a lot of irrelevant or inappropriate information. Frequent grammatical structure and sentence pattern errors are committed, which almost always interfere with understanding. Word choice is usually inappropriate and confusing, and attempts at paraphrasing usually fail. Compositions are not organized, with thoughts and ideas scattered haphazardly. The writing is almost always unclear and inconsistent, and lacks 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 much irrelevant and inappropriate information. Grammatical structure and sentence patterns are almost always uncontrolled, with errors committed always interfering with understanding. Word choice is frequently inappropriate, and the writers' attempts at paraphrasing almost always fail. The lack of logic or sequencing of the thoughts and ideas make 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 basic detail, and are filled with irrelevant and inappropriate information which 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 sequence of the thoughts and ideas prevent 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.