Rubric for short story

Hello Class,

Here is the rubric for the evaluation of your short story. Please read it before you write your story so you know the aspects that will be considered

Short Story Writing Rubric               

                                                                                                                               

	Basic 1	Sound  2	Thorough 3	Extensive  4
Content	Overly simplistic No clear controlling idea and/or theme	Story elements may or may not reveal  a controlling idea/theme	Combines story elements around a controlling idea to reveal a thought-provoking theme	Skilfully combines all story elements around a controlling idea to reveal a thought provoking theme
Plot and Situation	Lacks a developed plot line	Provides a minimally developed plot line	Develops a standard plot line with complex major and minor characters and  a definite setting	Skilfully develops plot line with complex major and minor characters and a definite setting
Narrative Devices/ Story Details	Fails to use details, anecdotes, dialogue, suspense, and/or action	Attempts to use details and/or anecdotes, suspense, dialogue, and action, but with minimal effectiveness	Anecdotes, sensory details and examples create a sense of the characters’ thoughts, actions and appearances    A range of devices such as suspense, dialogue and action (gestures, expressions) advances the plot, gives insight into characters, and keeps the reader informed/ entertained	Anecdotes, sensory details and examples create a clear sense of the main characters’ thoughts, actions and appearances A range of devices such as suspense, dialogue and action (gestures, expressions) skilfully advances the plot,  gives insight into characters, and keeps the reader  continually informed/entertained
Organisation	Little to no structure: Exposition, conflict and/or resolution/ denouement may not exist	Weak structure:  Exposition, sequencing of ideas in body and/or resolution/denouement need some revision  May be isolated events with weak sequencing	Effective structure:  Engaging exposition Logical sequencing of ideas based on purpose and linked to theme Resolution and denouement reinforce theme and give closure	Skilful Structure: Strong, engaging exposition  Logical and effective sequencing of ideas based on purpose and skillfully linked  to theme Resolution and denouement reinforce theme and give closure
Voice	Unclear or no sense of voice, purpose and/or audience	Sense of purpose and/or audience not clear Writer’s voice is detached from the story	Writer’s voice is confident, authentic and entertaining  Reveals the significance of the writer’s attitude about the subject/memorabe incident Clear sense of audience and purpose Consistent point of view	Writer's voice is authentic, clever and entertaining • Skillfully reveals the significance of the writer’s attitude about the subject/ memorable incident • Clear sense of purpose and audience • Consistent point of view
Word and Language Choice	Limited vocabulary; words may be used inappropriately or unnecessarily repeated	More precise and accurate words are needed to convey a clear message	Precise, detailed words or phrases get message across and reveal characters’ looks, actions, feelings, reactions, and conversation • Uses academic language to enhance story	Words or phrases powerfully convey the intended message and skillfully reveal characters’ looks, actions, feelings, reactions, and conversation • Academic language, imbedded throughout the text,enhances story
Writing Strategies Sentence Fluency	Little or no sense of sentence structure • Lacks transitions	• Some understanding of sentence structure • Limited use of appropriate transitions to connect sentences	• Purposeful use of sentence structure to enhance intended effect • Transitions connect ideas within and across paragraphs	• Purposeful and innovative sentence structure to enhance intended effect • Skillful use of transitions within and across paragraphs
Conventions (Spelling, Punctuation)	Limited understanding appropriate conventions	appropriate conventions; errors occasionally obscure meaning	appropriate conventions; errors are minor and do not obscure meaning	Shows creativity and flexibility when using conventions to enhance meaning