Mystery Short Story Rubric—Middle School

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Plot: Opening

The opening of my story sets the mood, introduces the main characters, introduces the problem the story is built around, and creates curiosity in the minds of the readers.

The opening of my story sets the mood and creates curiosity in the minds of the readers.

The opening of my story attempts to set the mood and create curiosity in the minds of the readers, but it may be predictable or confusing.

The opening of my story is predictable.

Plot: Action

My story carefully builds suspense in a logical way through the use of literary devices such as red herrings, cliffhangers, clues, and so forth.

My story logically builds suspense through the use of many different literary devices.

I attempt to build suspense in my story, but the sequence of events is often predictable or confusing.

The events in my story are predictable or confusing.

Plot: Ending

The ending of my story pulls all the pieces together in a conclusion that surprises the readers and answers questions.

The ending of my story pulls the pieces of the story together.

The ending of my story somewhat pulls all the pieces together in the ending, but some questions are left unanswered.

The ending of my story leaves many questions unanswered.

Characters

My story has a good mixture of interesting, well-developed major and minor characters. The characters advance the plot in meaningful ways. I build the reader’s understanding of characters through their actions and interactions, rather than through description.

My story’s characters are developed primarily through their actions and interactions.

Some of my story’s characters are developed through their actions and interactions, but other characters are primarily developed through description.

My story’s characters are stereotypical characters and developed primarily through description.

Setting

My story’s setting is rich, detailed, and plays an important role in the story.

My story’s setting plays an important role in the story.

My story’s setting plays a minor role in the story.

My story’s setting is generic and does not add to the mood or the plot.

Writing: Voice

My story has a point of view and provides readers with an interesting plot and well-designed clues to help readers figure out what is happening.

My story provides readers with an interesting plot and some clues to help readers figure out what is happening.

My story tries to provide readers with an interesting plot and useful clues, but some clues may be obvious or confusing.

My story does not attempt to provide an interesting plot or useful clues.

Writing: Sentences

I vary the sentence structures, lengths, and beginnings throughout my story.

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

I try to use different sentence structures, lengths, and beginnings, but some sentences sound the same.

I do not try to use different sentence structures, lengths, and beginnings, and most sentences sound the same.

Writing: Flow

I use various transitions and writing techniques 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.

My writing often sounds choppy and unconnected.

Writing: Word Choice

I successfully use interesting and surprising language, especially strong verbs and nouns, to add meaning to my story.

I use interesting words to add meaning to my story.

I try to use interesting words to add meaning to my story.

I only use language that is predictable and ordinary.

Writing: Conversation

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

I use conversation effectively in my story.

I try to use conversation in my story.

I do not use conversation in my story, or when I do, it is unrealistic.

Writing: Literary Devices

I effectively use a variety of literary devices to create a mood, engage and surprise the reader, and advance the plot.

I effectively use some literary devices in my story.

I use literary devices, but they are sometimes distracting or ineffective.

I do not use literary devices, or when I do, they are distracting or ineffective.

Creativity

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

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

I use techniques to surprise readers, but sometimes my efforts are distracting or confusing.

I do not try to surprise readers, or when I do, my efforts are usually distracting and confusing.

Conventions

My story has no errors in grammar or mechanics.

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

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

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