Short Story Rubric
Name: ______________________ Title:
_________________________________________
Genre: _______________
Choose a genre of short story to create (hopefully building on one of the genres you read carefully). Write an original short story in
that genre. Don’t just start writing: brainstorm, plan, play before you start. Great starting ideas are plot graphs, character sketches
(in words or visuals), setting descriptions, thematic ideas, etc. Length: as long as it takes; however, a useful guideline is 1000 –
2500 words (3-6 pages). This is a manageable length for the amount of time.
To indicate your understanding of and ability to apply the learning from the Prose Skills section, you need to annotate elements
from the skills on your short story. You should annotate at minimum prose skills elements from description, character, and
dialogue.
There are a number of ways you could do the annotations: with colour coded highlighters (either in the Word program) or by
hand, with brief handwritten notes; with different fonts/colours with brief handwritten notes; with the ‘comment’ feature of your
word processing program; with stickie notes; other (see me if you create a new version).
Hand in all rough work, planning notes, drafts, etc. You should have at least one person edit your short story. Push the
editor for useful and in depth comments – both positive and critical.
Remember to annotate your short story.
Criteria
Knowledge/
Understanding
Theme or controlling
idea;
Elements of the story
type;
Annotation of prose
skills
Thinking/Inquiry
Originality in
storyline;
Level One
Level Two
Level Three
Incorporates a theme or
controlling idea that shows
limited thought;
Incorporates a theme or
controlling idea that shows
some thought;
Incorporates a theme or a
controlling idea that shows
considerable thought;
Incorporates a well-thoughtout theme or controlling
idea;
Incorporates few elements
of the story type;
Incorporates some elements
of the story type;
Incorporates most elements of
the story type;
Masterfully incorporates
elements of the story type;
Fewer than three skills
annotated, or mistakes
Two - three skills partially
annotated
Three skills reasonably
annotated
Storyline shows limited
originality;
Storyline shows some
originality;
Storyline shows considerable
originality;
All three skills carefully
annotated, with nearly all
aspects present
Storyline is highly original;
Mood and dialogue do not
add to the story;
Mood and dialogue create a
limited effect;
Mood and dialogue create a
desired impact;
Characterization is
contradictory and weak
Characterization is
contradictory / unevenly
developed
Strong characterization
Subtle characterization,
shown indirectly
Applies the writing process
effectively;
Applies the writing process
with skill for a desired
effect;
Word choice shows
considerable variety and
vitality;
Narrative voice is furthers
plot/character development;
Word choice shows a high
degree of variety and
vitality;
Narrative voice adds depth
and nuance to story;
Applies grammar, usage,
spelling, and punctuation
with considerable accuracy
and effectiveness
Applies grammar, usage,
spelling, and punctuation
with a high degree of
accuracy and effectiveness
Uses all the elements of the
story type and structure;
Effectively innovates with
the elements and structure;
Applies aspects of the prose
skills in writing.
Nuanced use of prose skills
greatly enhances writing
Mood and Dialogue;
Characterization
Writing process
(planning, process,
drafts, editing, revision)
Communication
Style (syntax and
word choice)
Narrative voice
Sp., Gr., Dialogue
punctuation
Application
Command of story
structure and type;
Application of Prose
skills aspects
Comments:
Level Four
Applies the writing process
with limited effectiveness
Word choices need more
variety and vitality;
Applies the writing process
with some effectiveness;
Word choice shows some
variety and vitality;
Narrative voice detracts
from mood &/or fails to add
to the story in a useful way.
Narrative voice adds some
depth, may be intrusive
sometimes.
Applies grammar, usage,
spelling, and punctuation
with limited accuracy and
effectiveness
Uses some of the elements
of the story type and
structure with limited
effectiveness;
Poor use of prose skills
Applies grammar, usage,
spelling, and punctuation
with some accuracy and
effectiveness
Uses most of the elements of
the story type and structure
fairly well;
Aspects of some prose skills
used.
Mood and dialogue create a
highly desired impact;