English I- Narrative Essay
Writing Camp
Performance Based Assessment: Narrative Essay
Plan and compose an engaging personal narrative about a life-changing moment.
After examining a variety of short writing models that exhibit the six traits of effective writing,
revise and edit the initial personal narrative to incorporate these traits:
1. Ideas- writer fully develops ideas within each paragraph by focusing on a single topic. A
unique title is used.
2. Organization is clear to reader by the use of multiple paragraphs that enhance the
reader’s understanding. An introduction with attention getter, bridge, and thesis begins
the narrative, and effective transitions are used throughout.
3. Voice, Diction, and Fluency- writer uses vivid imagery, specific word choice, and a
variety of sentence structures to enhance the writer’s voice.
4. Conventions- writing is virtually error free. The writer uses proper punctuation, capitalization,
MLA format, and spelling in the text. Each paragraph is indented.
5. Writing Process- writing demonstrates thoughtful planning, significant revision, and
careful editing. Rough drafts, prewriting, and revising/editing marks based on the 6 traits
of writing are included in drafts and show thought and change in content.
Your prewriting includes the following:
1. Ideas bellwork on page 2 of your Cougar Writing Packet.
2. Organization activities on pages 3 and 4 of your Cougar Writing Packet.
3. Plot Mountain sheet completed over your narrative.
Your narrative should be 2-3 pages typed. The font for the paper is Times New Roman, 12
point. It must be double-spaced. It needs to have the correct MLA heading at the top of page 1
of your narrative. Here’s an example:
Bruce Wayne
Brady
English I-4 or 6
21 September 2015
Your rough draft can be typed, but it must be printed out and edited by a parent or adult (not me).
After editing, the adult needs to sign the rough draft and date. When this is completed, you may
type/edit your final copy. This is due at the beginning of class Monday, September 21. The
order you will turn in your assignment is the rubric sheet (on back), your final copy, your edited
rough draft, and your plot mountain prewriting sheet.
English I- Narrative Essay
Evidence of Writing
Process
Conventions
Use of Language
Traits 3, 4, & 5:
Voice, Diction,
Sentence Fluency
Trait 2:
Organization
Trait 1: Ideas
Scoring
Criteria
Exemplary (20)
Proficient (16)
Emerging (12)
The narrative insightfully
describes a life-changing
moment with careful
attention to detail. Ideas are
fully developed, and each
paragraph is focused. A
unique title is used.
The narrative describes an
a life-changing moment
clearly and effectively. Ideas
are developed, and each
paragraph on topic. A
creative title is used.
Writing may be off topic,
lack focus and may not be
described with sufficient
details
The narrative is multiparagraphed and organized
in a way that enhances the
reader’s understanding. The
introduction includes an
attention-getter, bridge, and
thesis statement.
Effective transitions are
used throughout.
Vivid imagery, careful
diction, and effective, varied
sentence structure convey a
strong sense of the
narrator’s voice.
The narrative is multiparagraphed and organized
in a logical fashion. The
introduction includes an
attention-getter, bridge, and
thesis statement.
Transitions are used
throughout.
The narrative may not be
multi-paragraphed and/ or
organized in a logical
fashion. The introduction
does not include an
attention-getter, bridge, and
thesis statement.
Effective transitions are not
used throughout.
The voice of the narrator
is not clear. Imagery,
diction, and/or sentence
variety are inappropriate
or missing.
Writing is virtually error free.
The writer uses
proper punctuation,
capitalization, MLA format,
and spelling in the text.
Paragraphs are indented.
Though some errors
may appear, they do
not seriously impede
readability The writer uses
proper punctuation,
capitalization, MLA format,
and spelling in the text.
Paragraphs are indented.
The writing demonstrates
planning, revision, and
editing in preparing a
publishable draft. Rough
drafts(s), prewriting, and
revising/editing marks
based on the 6 writing traits
are included.
The writing demonstrates
thoughtful planning,
significant revision, and
careful editing in preparing
a publishable draft. Rough
drafts(s), prewriting, and
revising/editing marks
based on the 6 writing traits
are included in drafts and
show thought and change in
content.
**Writing that exhibits no effort or
incomplete work may be given a rating
of unsatisfactory in each category,
resulting in 0 points given.
Comments:
Clear imagery, diction, and
varied sentence structure
convey a sense of the
narrator’s voice.
Total Score
Frequent errors in standard
writing conventions
interfere with the meaning.
The writer does not use
proper punctuation,
capitalization, MLA format,
paragraphing, and/or
spelling in the text.
The writing lacks evidence
of planning, revision, and/or
editing. The draft is not
ready for publication. Rough
drafts(s), prewriting, and
editing marks based on the
6 writing traits are not
included.