STAPLE THIS TO THE FRONT OF YOUR STORY.
NAME ______________________________________
Narrative Short Story Essay Rubric
CATEGORY
Exceptional
10
Above Average
9
Good
8
Needs
Improvement
7
Below
Average
6
Poor
5
Focus on
Prompt
This essay is clearly
focused on the
prompt.
Development of the
topic is clear, well
supported or
developed &
enhanced by the
kind of detail that
keeps readers
reading.
This essay is
focused on the
prompt.
Development of the
topic is clear & well
supported.
This essay is
related to the
prompt. Detail &
development of
the story are
generally
logical.
This essay
demonstrates
an awareness of
the prompt, but
there is
mediocre
development of
the story which
may include
extraneous,
repetitive,
and/or unrelated
details.
This essay is
somewhat
related to the
prompt.
There is weak
development
of the story.
The essay is only
slightly
connected to the
prompt. There is
little supporting
detail.
Development of
ideas is
inconsistent or
illogical.
Narrative
Elements
The writer skillfully
uses narrative
techniques such as
conflict, setting,
dialogue & character
in order to craft the
story, giving the
whole piece a strong
sense of focus.
The writer uses
narrative techniques
such as conflict,
setting, dialogue,
and character in
order to write the
story.
Detail &
development of
the story are
generally
logical, but the
writer’s use of
narrative
techniques such
as conflict,
setting,
dialogue, and
character may
be uneven &
lacking in
specifics.
An attempt is
made to use
some narrative
techniques such
as conflict,
setting, dialogue
& character.
Use of
narrative
techniques
such as
conflict,
setting,
dialogue &
character is
limited.
There is little use
of narrative
techniques.
All five stages of plot
are skillfully
executed.
The organizational
structure is coherent
with a sense of
wholeness &
balance.
All five stages of plot
are present. The
organizational
structure is coherent
with a sense of
wholeness.
The five stages
of plot are
generally
present. The
organizational
structure has
some sense of
wholeness
although some
drifting may
occur.
The five stages
of plot are
attempted. A
clear but simple
organizational
structure is
apparent
although the
focus may shift
or the paper
may lack a
sense of
wholeness.
There is weak
development
of the plot.
There is scant
evidence of a
controlling
structure.
Plot development
is inconsistent,
inadequate, or
illogical.
Organizational
structure or
direction is not
apparent.
Precise, vivid,
natural language is
chosen carefully to
achieve the purpose,
& sentence structure
is varied & mature,
contributing to an
identifiable personal
style & voice. The
writer's energy &
passion drive the
writing making the
story lively,
expressive, &
engaging.
Word choice is
precise & sentence
structure is varied,
contributing to an
identifiable personal
style & voice. The
writing bears the
clear imprint of THIS
writer.
Words are
reasonably
accurate & help
to convey the
story on a
general level, &
there is some
variation in
sentence length
& structure
which
contributes to an
emerging style
& voice.
Somewhat
varied word
choice &
sentence
structure
indicate that the
writer has not
quite found
his/her voice &
seems reluctant
to "let go".
Limited,
inappropriate,
or vague word
choice
conveys only
the most
general
message, &
sentence
structure is
repetitive so
that a
personal style
or voice is not
identifiable.
Word choice is
simple &
sentence
structure is
repetitive so that
no individual style
or voice
emerges.
Excellent control
over a wide range of
standard writing
conventions & uses
them with accuracy
& creativity to
enhance meaning.
Good control over a
wide range of
standard writing
conventions & uses
them with accuracy
to enhance meaning.
Shows
adequate
control over the
most widely
used writing
conventions.
Follows writing Lack of
conventions
control of
most of the time. conventions
often impairs
understanding
(other than
plot)
Five Stages of
Plot
(Organization)
Word Choice
(Sensory
Details,
Imagery,
Figurative
language)
Writing
Conventions
(Grammar,
Mechanics, &
Usage)
SCORE
out of
10
The errors in this
essay make it
impossible to
understand.
TOTAL
/50