nEnthusiastic, creative, ambitious

nParticipate in discussions

nWilling and ready to explore ideas, learn skills, “engage as readers, writers, thinkers”

n“Competent” writing, “basic English”

nCritical and analytical thinking (28)

nDeveloping and supporting arguments/theses (18)

nResearch and citing sources (15): integrating quotes effectively and correctly (9), especially to do more than cite source to “prove” or say “this expert agrees with me.”

nVarious writing issues (29):  formal style (4), writing about literature (3), cohesive focused essay (3), organization (3), development of engaged ideas (3).

nVarious reading issues (24):  close/critical reading skills (6), not well read (5), unengaged with reading (4), lack of experience with difficult texts (2).

nStudent learning behavior (18):  lack of independent thinking (4), teacher pleasing (3), unmotivated (4).

nBasic skills (16):  grammar, punctuation, spelling, sentence structure, syntax.

nToo much reliance on the 5-paragraph essay (too formulaic) (8)