Narrative Writing Rubric—Middle School

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Theme

My story has a theme that makes an important or interesting statement about people, nature, or the world. All the components of my story add to the theme.

My story has a theme that makes an interesting statement.

My story has a theme that ties the story together, but not all of the components support the topic.

My story seems to be about several different themes.

Story Beginning

My story begins with an interesting opening that introduces the theme and makes readers curious to read more.

My story begins with an interesting opening that introduces the theme.

My story begins with an opening that somewhat introduces the theme.

My story begins with an opening that does not introduce the theme.

Plot

The events in my story are believable, connect to each other, and lead to a turning point that makes an important statement about the theme. Significant events are described in greater detail than minor events.

The events in my story happen in a logical order that leads to a turning point. All events relate to the theme.

I try to include events that lead to a turning point, but some events may not relate to the theme or may not connect logically.

The events in my story seem to be random and do not lead to a turning point or relate to the theme.

Turning Point

All the events in my story lead to a turning point that ties up loose ends, surprises readers, and makes an important statement about the theme.

All the events in my story lead to a turning point that ties up loose ends and relates to the theme.

Most of the events in my story lead to a turning point that ties up most loose ends.

The events in my story do not lead to a clear turning point that ties up loose ends.

Characters

I develop major characters and minor characters well, and both play a role in my story. I develop my characters by using dialogue and actions.

I have several characters in my story. I develop my characters by using dialogue and actions.

I have a few characters in my story. I develop my characters primarily through description and explanation.

The characters in my story are undeveloped and stereotypical.

Setting

The setting in my story is rich, detailed, and plays an important role in the story.

The setting in my story plays an important role in the story.

The setting in my story plays a minor role in the story.

The setting in my story is generic and does not play a role in the story.

Genre

If I am writing a story in a particular genre, like mystery, science fiction, or realistic fiction, I include several features that are appropriate for the genre.

If I am writing a story in a particular genre, like mystery, science fiction, or realistic fiction, I include a few features that are appropriate for the genre.

If I am writing a story in a particular genre, I try to include some features of the genre.

Even when I am writing a story in a particular genre, I rarely include features that are appropriate for that genre.

Writing: Conversation

I use realistic conversation to effectively describe characters, advance the plot, and create suspense.

I use conversation effectively in my story.

I try to use conversation in my story.

I do not use conversation in my story.

Writing: Narrative Techniques

I use appropriate narrative techniques such as foreshadowing, flashbacks, dialogue, narration, and point of view to effectively tell the story.

I use narrative techniques such as foreshadowing, flashbacks, dialogue, narration, and point of view in my story.

I try to use some narrative techniques such as foreshadowing, flashbacks, dialogue, narration, and point of view.

The do not try to use narrative techniques such as foreshadowing, flashbacks, dialogue, narration, and point of view.

Writing: Sentences

I consistently use different sentence structures, lengths, and beginnings.

I usually use different sentence structures, lengths, and beginnings.

I use some different sentence structures, lengths, and beginnings, but some of my sentences sound similar.

Most of my sentences have similar structures, beginnings, and lengths.

Writing: Flow

I use various types of transitions to connect ideas so my writing flows naturally and rhythmically.

I use transitions so my writing flows.

I try to use transitions to make my writing flow, but sometimes my writing sounds choppy and unconnected.

My writing often sounds choppy and unconnected.

Writing: Paragraphs

My story is divided appropriately into paragraphs of different lengths.

My story is divided into paragraphs of different lengths.

My story is divided into paragraphs of different lengths, but some of my paragraphs are too long or too short.

My story is not divided into paragraphs, or the paragraphs are too long or too short.

Writing: Word Choice

I use intriguing, interesting, and surprising language, especially strong verbs and nouns that add to the meaning of my story.

I use interesting language to add to the meaning of my story.

I try to use interesting language in my story.

The language in my story is predictable and ordinary.

Audience Awareness

My story has a point of view and provides readers with an interesting plot and well-designed clues to help them follow the plot.

My story provides readers with an interesting plot and some clues to help them follow the plot.

My story tries to provide readers with an interesting plot and clues.

My story does not attempt to draw in readers.

Creativity

I use language conventions, genre, and storytelling in surprising ways to enhance the meaning of my story and entertain readers.

I use various techniques to surprise readers and enhance the my story’s meaning.

I try to use different techniques to surprise readers and enhance the meaning of my story.

I do not make an effort to surprise readers.

Conventions

My story has no errors in grammar or mechanics.

My story has no errors in grammar or mechanics that take away from the meaning.

My story has some errors in grammar or mechanics that take away from the meaning.

My story has so many errors in grammar and mechanics that readers have difficulty understanding the meaning.