Criteria
Connection to original
text’s themes and
subtext.
Very High
A sophisticated
identification of the
sub-textual features of
the prompt text,
followed by complex
adaptation of the
theme in your own
piece.
High
Extensive annotation
of the prompt text to
identify style,
structure, voice and
character.
Medium
Annotations on the
prompt and
addressing of main
themes and style
evident in planning
documents.
Low
Story and plan may
contain references to
main themes. Story
focuses on the main
theme or subtext.
Very Low
Theme and or style of
source material not
evident in your story.
Story structure &
connection to original
text.
Effective and engaging
story based on a
complex and
challenging issue
building steadily in
suspense to a
surprising climactic
ending.
Story is well
structured climbing to
a surprising or
suspenseful ending
around a complex and
challenging issue.
Story focuses on the
main theme or subtext
to create a text
following the conflict,
crisis, climax plot line
of the prompt story.
An attempt to
structure using
the conflict, crisis,
climax plot line but
may be either missing
or story runs on
beyond the climax.
Theme and or style of
source material not
evident in your story.
Sophisticated use of
paragraphing to create
meaning. Sentences
are well structured,
controlled, varied and
deliberate.
Good use of
paragraphing to create
meaning. Sentences
are mostly structured,
controlled, varied and
deliberate.
Sound use of
paragraphing to create
meaning. Sentences
are somewhat
structured, controlled,
varied and deliberate.
Some use of
paragraphing to create
meaning. Sentences
are not varied, and at
times may be unclear
and/or incomplete.
Paragraphing is not
evident. Sentences are
unclear and
incomplete.
Paragraphing
Planning, drafting and
editing.
Significant evidence of
planning, drafting and
editing, removing
repetition, refining
ideas, reordering
sentences, adding or
substituting words for
impact.
Evidence of planning,
drafting and editing,
removing repetition,
refining ideas,
reordering sentences,
adding or substituting
words for impact.
Evidence of planning
or drafting, editing,
reworking order of
paragraphs
Improving words for
impact.
Editing and review has
been attempted but
has not improved the
overall clarity of the
piece.
No evidence of
attempting to edit and
review writing.
Vocabulary
Complex and insightful
vocabulary used to elicit
Wide vocabulary used
Clear intention to
improve vocabulary as
evidenced in
highlighting of key
vocabulary in drafts.
Some attempt at
improving vocabulary
is evident in
subsequent drafts,
edits.
No evidence of
improving vocabulary
for audience effect.
Limited vocabulary
used.
Use of broad sensory
vocabulary to create an
effect.
Use of some sensory
vocabulary to help the
reader visualise the scene.
Effective use of a range
of punctuation such as
elipses, exclamation
marks, italics for direct
speech. Correct use of
full stops, commas,
apostrophes etc.
Overuse of direct
speech, exclamation
marks, capitals.
Underuse of calitals,
full stops, commas.
Limited use of
punctuation either for
enhancing meaning or
in standard grammar
use.
Many misspelled
words which do not
affect the meaning of
the piece, or misused
words.
No identification of
incorrectly spelled
words.
visual/sensory responses
from the audience.
Spelling, punctuation
and grammar
to elicit visual/sensory
responses from the
audience. Evidence of
Sophisticated style
choices e.g. may build
shades of meaning for
dramatic effect.
having edited,
highlighted words for
increased impact.
Outstanding use of a
variety of punctuation
marks to enhance the
meaning of words
used.
Excellent
understanding of how
punctuation alters the
meaning of any given
sentence.
No errors in spelling.
Errors in spelling have
been corrected from
previous draft.
Story is fluent and
coherent.
Story is mostly fluent
and coherent.
Errors in spelling
largely eliminated, The
occasional misspell
which does not impact
on the meaning of the
word detected.
Story is somewhat
fluent and coherent.
Story is unclear, and at
times does not make
sense.
Story is not clear and
does not make sense.