iRubric: Writing a Short Story rubric

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Writing a Short Story

Students are to write a short story that demonstrates their understanding of the stages of plot and the characteristics of a short story.

Rubric Code: F76984

By JBardak

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Public Rubric

Subject: English

Type: Writing

Grade Levels: 9-12

Writing a Short Story Students will write a short story that demonstrates their application of story elements, effective use of characterization strategies, and technical writing strategies learned.
	Excellent 4 pts	Good 3 pts	Fair 2 pts	Poor 1 pts
Exposition/Hook Student uses a hook or thorough exposition to grasp the reader's interest.	Excellent Exposition is brilliantly developed and provides context about the character(s) and setting. In addition, the hook grasps the reader's interest.	Good Exposition is well developed and provides context about the character(s) or setting. Narrative hook is present and satisfacory	Fair Provides an exposition that provides some background information about the character(s) or setting. The hook somewhat grasps the reader's interest.	Poor Fails to provide an exposition that provides some background information about the character(s) or setting or a hook to grasp the reader's interest.
Rising Action/Plot Student uses the main events to advance the plot of the story. Plot focuses on something that the character wants and this is clear to the reader.	Excellent Plot is clearly depicted in the story and the story is developed around key events that lead to a climax. Plot skillfully crafted on something that the character wants.	Good Plot is depicted in the story and the story is developed around key events that lead to a climax and one key event before the resolution. Plot focuses on something the character wants, but the plot line is not necessarily clear.	Fair Plot is depicted in the story and the story is somewhat developed around a few key events that lead to a climax followed by one key event before the resolution . Plot mentions something that the character wants.	Poor Plot is vague or unclear. The story fails to include key events that lead to a climax and/or one key event before the resolution. Plot fails to include something the character wants.
Climax/Turning Point Student provided an effective story climax where the main character faces the main problem.	Excellent The climax of the story is clear to the reader and is attached strongly to the main conflict in the story. The climax fits with the overall plotline of the story. In the exceptional story, it truly captivates the reader.	Good The climax of the story is clear to the reader and is satisfactorily attached to the main conflict in the story. The climax generally fits with the overall plotline of the story. In this story, the climax generally appeals to the reader.	Fair The climax of the story is not as clear as it should be or out of relation to conflict in the story. The climax has a limited fit with the overall plotline of the story. In this story, the climax may not appeal to the reader.	Poor The climax of the story is unclear to the reader and/or not sufficiently attached to the main conflict in the story. The climax may not with the overall plotline of the story. In this story, the climax is generally unappealing to the reader.
Falling Action/Resolution Student writes the falling action of the story and includes a clear resolution to the story.	Excellent The falling action satisfies the reader until the resolution is clear. The reader is satisfied with the conflict resolution, regardless of the type of ending chosen by the author.	Good Falling action is present. The story depicts a satisfactory, although not unpredicatable, resolution of the conflict.	Fair There may be falling action, but it also may falter towards a resolution. The story depicts a resolution of the conflict, but it is somewhat vague.	Poor Falling action is unclear or not attached to a satisfactory resolution. The story fails to depict a resolution of the conflict.
Dialogue Student uses dialogue appropriately to tell the story.	Excellent The story includes a just right amount of dialogue that is correctly written and easily read. Dialogue is correctly punctuated. The dialogue used effectively adds to the characterization of the story.	Good The story includes a dialogue that is correctly written and easily read. Dialogue is generally correctly punctuated. Dialogue adds generally to the characterization of the story.	Fair The story includes dialogue that is does not always work for some the characters. Some of the dialogue is correctly punctuated and easy to read. Limited relationship between dialogue and characterization.	Poor The story does not include a sufficient amount of dialogue that is correctly written and easily read or there may be an over-abundance of dialogue that detracts from the plot. Dialogue is not correctly punctuated.
Point of View The narrator tells the story from the appropriate point-of-view.	Excellent The point-of-view is clearly defined. The student uses the narration to effectively develop characters and themes in the story.	Good The point-of-view is defined. The student uses the narration to help develop characters and themes in the story.	Fair The point-of-view is defined. The student uses the narration to somewhat develop characters and themes in the story.	Poor The point-of-view is not clearly defined. The student fails to use the narration to develop characters and themes in the story.
Characterization Student provides enough details to develop the character (s) effectively. Emotional, social, physical and intellectual traits are present. Indirect characterization strategies are evident, balance and effective.	Excellent Student uses both direct and indirect techniques in using descriptive details to develop the characters. Characters are interesting and have depth.	Good Student uses direct and some indirect characterization strategies using descriptive details to develop the character(s). Characters are interesting, but may lack depth.	Fair Student uses some descriptive details and/or indirect characterization strategies to develop the character(s). Characters are somewhat interesting and have some depth.	Poor Student fails to use descriptive details and/or all indirect characterization strategies to develop the character(s). Characters are uninteresting and/or lack depth.
Proofreading and Editing Student demonstrates careful attention to rules of grammar, punctuation, and spelling and capitalizations	Excellent Student demonstrates significant evidence of proofreading. Story contains few, if any, errors in spelling, punctuation, and/or grammar.	Good Student demonstrates satisfactory evidence of proofreading. Story contains few errors in spelling, punctuation, and/or grammar.	Fair Student demonstrates some evidence of proofreading. Story contains some errors in spelling, punctuation, and/or grammar. Errors are beginning to detract from content.	Poor Student demonstrates little evidence of proofreading. Story contains many errors in spelling, punctuation, and/or grammar. Errors detract from content.

Keywords:

short story

Subjects:

English

Types:

Writing

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