Rubric: Writing Short Stories

Student:___________________________________________

Criteria Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Level 4

Knowledge/ ❏ work is based on a ❏ work is based on a ❏ work is based on a ❏ work is based on a
Understanding theme or theme or theme or theme or controlling
• theme or controlling controlling idea that controlling idea that controlling idea that idea that shows
idea shows limited shows some shows considerable insight into human
understanding of understanding of understanding of conflicts
human conflicts human conflicts human conflicts
Thinking/Inquiry ❏ shows limited ❏ shows some ❏ shows considerable ❏ shows a high degree
• originality in originality in originality in originality in of originality in
storyline developing developing developing developing
characterization, characterization, characterization, characterization,
plot, and other plot, and other plot, and other plot, and other
elements elements elements elements
Communication ❏ shows limited ❏ shows some ❏ shows considerable ❏ shows strong
• command of short command of short command of short command of short command of short
story structure story structure: story structure: story structure: story structure: initial
initial scene has initial scene has initial scene scene effectively
reveals a conflict;
limited focus on the some focus on the introduces the
motivations of
central conflict; central conflict; central conflict; characters are
limited evidence of some evidence of motivations of believable and
characters’ characters’ characters are clear revealed with skill and
motivations; limited motivations; plot and believable; plot subtlety; plot builds
sense of plot; shows some sense shows considerable effectively to a
ending provides a of building to a buildup to a climax; climax; ending
limited resolution climax; ending ending provides a provides a strong and
provides a logical resolution satisfying resolution
resolution
• dialogue ❏ dialogue has ❏ dialogue advances ❏ dialogue advances ❏ dialogue effectively
limited effect on the the plot in some the plot; dialogue advances the plot;
plot; dialogue has places; dialogue has has considerable dialogue has strong
limited variety and some variety and variety and vitality variety and vitality
vitality vitality
Application ❏ shows limited ❏ shows some ❏ shows considerable ❏ shows strong
• story telling command of the command of the command of the command of the
conventions of conventions of conventions of conventions of story
story telling story telling story telling telling
• language ❏ applies grammar, ❏ applies grammar, ❏ applies grammar, ❏ applies grammar,
conventions usage, spelling, and usage, spelling, and usage, spelling, and usage, spelling, and
punctuation with punctuation with punctuation with punctuation with a
limited accuracy some accuracy and considerable high degree of
and effectiveness effectiveness accuracy and accuracy and
effectiveness effectiveness