Narrative Writing Rubric—Elementary

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Focus

My story is about one topic or idea, and all the events make an important statement about the main idea.

My story is about one topic or idea, and all the events connect to the main idea.

My story is mostly about one topic, but I include some information that is not about the topic. Most of my events are connected to the main idea.

The main topic or idea of my story is unclear. Many events do not seem to be connected to the main idea of the story.

Plot: Opening

My story begins with an interesting opening that gets the reader interested and introduces the main topic.

My story has an interesting beginning.

I try to start my story with an interesting beginning, but it does not really make readers want to read my story.

My story has a predictable and ordinary beginning.

Plot: Events

My story takes place through a series of believable but sometimes surprising events. The events add to each other in ways that make sense.

My story takes place through a series of believable events that connect in ways that make sense.

I try to tell my story through a series of believable events, but some parts do not make sense and some gaps are unexplained.

The events in my story are not believable and they do not connect with each other in ways that make sense.

Plot: Turning Point

The events in my story lead up to a turning point that surprises the reader and ties together all the parts of the story.

The events in my story lead up to a turning point that ties together all the parts of the story.

My story has a turning point, but it is predictable and does not tie together all the parts of the story.

My story does not have a turning point.

Characters

I have several characters in my story. I show what my characters are like by using conversation and actions instead of explanation and description.

I have some characters in my story. I usually show what my characters are like by using conversation and actions instead of explanation and description.

I have a few characters in my story. I sometimes show what they are like by using conversation and action, but I usually use explanations and descriptions.

I show what my characters are like by using only explanations and descriptions.

Genre

If I am writing a story in a particular genre, like mystery, science fiction, or realistic fiction, I use many features of the genre, such as clues or imaginary worlds.

If I am writing a story in a particular genre, like mystery, science fiction, or realistic fiction, I use features of the genre, such as detectives or real-life problems.

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 do not use features of the genre in ways that make sense.

Paragraphs

I divide my story into paragraphs of different lengths in a way that makes sense.

I divide my story into paragraphs of different lengths.

Some of my paragraphs are too long or too short.

I have no paragraphs, or many of my paragraphs are too long or too short.

Sentences

My sentences use many different beginnings, lengths, and structures to make my writing more surprising and interesting.

My sentences use different beginnings, lengths, and structures.

Some of my sentences sound different, but some of them sound the same.

Many of my sentences sound the same.

Language

I use clear, interesting words to create pictures in the minds of the readers.

I use interesting words in my story.

I try to use interesting words in my story, but some of the language is predictable.

The words in my story are ordinary and predictable.

Conventions

I make no errors in spelling, punctuation, capitalization, or Standard English.

I make no errors in spelling, punctuation, capitalization, or Standard English that take away from the meaning.

I make some errors in spelling, punctuation, capitalization, or Standard English that take away from the meaning.

I make so many errors in spelling, punctuation, capitalization, and Standard English that readers have trouble following my story.