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IAR Writing Student Checklist
A one-page student checklist for the two IAR prose constructed responses: how research, literary and narrative essays are scored, a 20/70/10 time plan, and a planning space.
For students · Grades 3–8 · 1 page · PDF
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How to use it: The IAR Writing Tasks Explained: A Guide for Illinois Teachers
What's on the sheet
How your essays are scored
| Essay | Main score | Conventions |
|---|---|---|
| Research or literary analysis | Reading Comprehension and Written Expression: 0–3 (grade 3), 0–4 (grades 4–8) | 0–3 |
| Narrative | Written Expression: 0–3 (grades 3–5), 0–4 (grades 6–8) | 0–3 |
Two essays, about half your score
Everyone writes the research essay. Your second essay is literary analysis or narrative.
In grades 4–8, a research or literary essay counts for 12 written expression points plus 4 reading points. Conventions count for 3.
Time plan: about 20% planning, 70% writing, 10% revising. For a 45-minute essay that's about 9, 30 and 6 minutes. You can copy and paste quotes from the passages.
Research and literary analysis essays
- I answered every part of the prompt.
- My explanation of the texts is accurate.
- I organized my ideas in multiple paragraphs, with transitions.
- I supported each idea with accurate, relevant evidence from the texts.
- I named the source each time I used it (“According to the infographic…”).
- After each piece of evidence, I explained how it answers the prompt.
Narrative essays
- My story has multiple paragraphs.
- I used details from the original text.
- My beginning, middle and end are in a logical order.
Every essay
- My language is clear and effective.
- I checked grammar and mechanics before I submitted.
My plan: one paragraph at a time
My claim (for this paragraph)
Evidence + source
How it answers the prompt
Starting in 2027, a writing checklist comes with each essay on the test. Student summary based on ISBE's IAR ELA Writing Rubrics and Prose Constructed Response Writing Guide; not an official ISBE document.