A Common Language and Criteria to Boost Students' Writing: An analytic writing rubric helps teachers and students see what's present and possible in a piece of student writing.

SCORING rubrics; STUDY & teaching of language composition; NATIONAL Writing Project (U.S.); EDUCATIONAL evaluation; PROFESSIONAL learning communities; TEACHER development; ACADEMIC motivation

The article discusses the use of the scoring system Analytic Writing Continuum, developed by the organization National Writing Project, in writing instruction in the U.S. Topics include the use of the AWC as a rubric for assessing student writing, the use of the AWC to involve students in thinking about their working, and the use of the AWC for professional learning groups of teachers.