SkyView Academy English Department
Narrative Rubric
4 points
1 point
Developed with some narrative
elements
Minimally developed with few narrative
elements
Opening intrigues the reader
Opening interests the reader
Dialogue is good, but some of the
characters sound alike; could do
more to use dialogue as a storytelling tool
Opening is present, but flat or tired;
the opening needs to do more to
really pull in the reader
Opening is abrupt or confusing
Dialogue is artfully used as a means
to build characterization and advance
the story
Uses all 3 of the brush strokes taught
in class
The ending is thoughtful, satisfying,
and perhaps even delightfully
surprising
Appropriate for the task
Demonstrates coherence, clarity, and
cohesion (easy to follow progression)
Organization of the story is
masterfully built, providing clear
structure and an occasionally
delightful surprise
Pacing is quick and fluid
Skillful use of transitions to help
create a unified, cohesive piece of
writing
Establishes and maintains an effective
style
Powerful vocabulary with no
repetition; always fresh and
interesting
Excellent sentence flow and variety
of sentence structures
A lively, interesting writer’s voice
comes through to the audience
Writing:
Grammar,
Mechanics,
and Usage
2 points
Mostly effectively developed with
narrative elements
When appropriate, the writer uses
“showing” details rather than just
telling information about the
characters/scene
Writing:
Written
Expression
3 points
Effectively developed with narrative
elements
Writer attempts to use “showing”
details rather than just telling
information, even if the technique
doesn’t always work
Attempts to use all three brush
strokes but is not successful with all
three
The ending answers all questions
Mostly appropriate to task
Demonstrates coherence, clarity, and
cohesion (fairly easy to follow
progression)
Organization of the story is clear and
smoothly leads the reader through
the story
Pacing is good, but a few minor
bumps slow down your reader at
times
Correct use of transitions for unity
and cohesiveness
Establishes and maintains a mostly
effective style
Good vocabulary that clearly, but not
always powerfully, tells the story
Smooth sentence flow and
occasionally effective sentence
variety
The writer’s voice comes through to
the audience, but the passion falls
flat at times
There may be a few minor errors in
mechanics, grammar, and usage, but
meaning is clear.
Dialogue is present, but it doesn’t
advance the story; it works mostly as
filler
Needs to use more “showing”
details; several missed opportunities
to use this technique
0 points
Underdeveloped
Dialogue is mostly missing
Writer does not use any “showing” details
The ending is abrupt, not believable, or
leaves too many unanswered questions
Uses one brush stroke
Uses two of the three brush strokes
The ending is present, but delivers a
typical and/or obvious resolution
Somewhat appropriate to the task
Demonstrates some coherence,
clarity, and/or cohesion (usually
discernible, not obvious)
Limited in its appropriateness to task
Demonstrates limited coherence and/or
cohesion (progression of ideas somewhat
unclear)
Evidence of organization exists, but
reader was confused and/or specific
sections seemed
rushed/underdeveloped
Organization is confusing or illogical; your
reader needed more help in following your
narrative line
Pacing is inconsistent and/or
sometimes becomes bogged down
Pacing is slow and/or labored; your reader
must make great effort to slog through the
story
Style is somewhat effective
Style has limited effectiveness
Average, simple vocabulary or
overly flowery language that blocks
meaning at times
Flat, below grade-level vocabulary and/or
inappropriate diction
Sentence flow is choppy at times;
limited sentence variety
Limited use of transitions; at times,
an inappropriate transition is used or
is missing altogether
The writer’s voice is flat, too formal,
or rigid. Where’s the passion in your
voice?
There may be errors in mechanics,
grammar, and usage that
occasionally impeded understanding,
but the meaning in generally clear.
Inappropriate to the task
Lacks coherence, clarity, and
cohesion
Inappropriate style
Flow is mostly choppy and erratic; little or
no sentence variety
Little or no use of transitions
No writer’s voice is present. The words are
lifeless or robotic.
There may be errors I mechanics, grammar,
and usage that often impede understanding.
There are frequent and varied
errors in mechanics, grammar,
and usage that impeded
understanding.