The holistic procedure used to score 2,800 student papers in the New Jersey Writing Project is described in this booklet. Characteristics are given of papers that received high, middle, and low scores. It is noted that (1) papers receiving high scores were characterized by a clear understanding of and a direct approach to the assignment, a well-presented opinion, a clear focus, an appropriate organizational pattern, a sense of closure, a sense of style, and relative freedom from errors; (2) papers receiving middle scores were characterized by inconsistency; and (3) papers receiving low scores contained a significantly greater number of simple sentences, lacked focus, and were often seriously flawed grammatically. A sample essay at each level is provided. Attachments include a summary of how to score essays holistically and the actual assignment used in the New Jersey Writing Project. (MKM)