Fictional Narrative
Beginning
Developing
Accomplished
Exemplary
1
2
3
4
Writing Task
Addresses little or
none of the writing
task.
Addresses some of
the writing task.
Addresses most of
the writing task.
Clearly addresses the
entire writing task.
Understanding
of Purpose
and audience
Shows no
understanding of
purpose and
audience.
Shows little
understanding of
purpose and
audience.
Shows a general
understanding of
purpose and
audience.
Shows a clear
understanding of
purpose and
audience.
Lacks a point of view,
focus, organizational
structure, and
transitions that unify
important ideas.
Maintains an
inconsistent point of
view, focus and/or
organizational
structure, which may
include ineffective or
awkward transitions
that do not unify
important ideas.
Maintains a mostly
consistent point of
view, focus and
organizational
structure, including
some use of
transitions.
Maintains a
consistent point of
view, focus and
organizational
structure, including
the effective use of
transitions.
Lacks a developed
plot.
Has a minimally
developed plot line,
including characters
and a setting.
Has an adequately
developed plot line,
including major and
minor characters and
a definite setting.
Use of
Narrative
Strategies
Fails to use dialogue,
suspense or narrative
Attempts to use
dialogue, suspense
and narrative with
little effectiveness.
Includes appropriate
use of dialogue,
suspense, and
narrative actions.
Language and
Flow
No sentence variety
evident. Limited
vocabulary. Serious
errors.
Little sentence
variety. Basic
predictable language
use.
Some sentence
variety and some
descriptive language.
Grammar and
Mechanics
Serious errors
interfere with
understanding of the
essay.
Several errors are
evident and interfere
somewhat with the
understanding of the
essay.
Some errors are
evident but don’t
interfere with the
understanding of the
essay.
Organizational
Structure
Use of Plot
Cope Middle School
Writing Assessment Rubric
Score
Has a thoroughly
developed plot line,
with major and
minor characters and
a definite setting.
Includes outstanding
use of dialogue,
suspense, and
narrative action.
Contains a variety of
sentence types.
Language is precise
and descriptive.
Few if any errors in
conventions of the
English language.
rev. 2009