iRubric: Short Story Rubric

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Short Story Rubric

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

Rubric Code: X237547

By ProfMunoz

Ready to use

Public Rubric

Subject: English

Type: Writing

Grade Levels: Undergraduate

Short Story Writing Rubric
	Excellent 10 pts	Very Good 8 pts	Satisfactory 6 pts	Insufficient 3 pts
Hook/exposition 10 pts Student uses a hook and thorough exposition to grasp the reader's interest.	Excellent Exposition is well developed and provides background information about the character(s) or setting. In addition, the hook grasps the reader's interest.	Very Good Exposition is developed and provides background information about the character(s) or setting.	Satisfactory Exposition provides some background information about the character(s) or setting. The hook somewhat grasps the reader's interest.	Insufficient Exposition fails to provide some background information about the character(s) or setting or a hook to grasp the reader's interest.
Plot 10 pts Student uses the main events to advance the plot of the story. Plot focuses on the main character(s) trying to reach a certain goal/resolve a certain conflict.	Excellent Plot is clearly depicted in the story and the story is developed around key events (including conflict) that lead to a climax. Plot focuses on the main character(s) trying to reach a certain goal/resolve a certain conflict.	Very Good Plot is depicted in the story and the story is developed around key events that lead to a climax. Plot focuses on solving the character(s)' conflict.	Satisfactory Plot is depicted in the story and the story is somewhat developed around a few key events that lead to a climax. Plot mentions something about the character(s)' conflict.	Insufficient Plot is vague or unclear. The story fails to include key events that lead to a climax. Plot fails to include something the character's journey. There is no conflict to resolve.
Climax and Resolution 10 pts Student builds suspense and tension to the climax, then includes a clear resolution to the story.	Excellent The story builds to an exciting climax. The story depicts a clear and satisfying resolution of the conflict.	Very Good The story builds to a climax. The story depicts a resolution of the conflict.	Satisfactory The story builds somewhat to a climax. The story depicts a resolution of the conflict, but it is somewhat vague.	Insufficient The story fails to build to a climax and does not depict a resolution of the conflict.
Characterization 10 pts Student provides enough details to develop the characters present in the story through the use of dialogue, actions, thoughts, and appearance.	Excellent Student effectively uses various methods and descriptive details to develop the character(s). Characters are interesting and have depth.	Very Good Student uses some methods and descriptive details to develop the characters. Characters are sometimes interesting and sometimes have depth.	Satisfactory Student uses a few methods and descriptive details to develop the characters. Characters are somewhat interesting.	Insufficient Student fails to develop the characters. Characters lack depth and interest.
Irony / Flashback / Point of View 10 pts Student incorporates irony and/or flashbacks into the story. Point of view is appropriate and consistent throughout the story.	Excellent Student makes effective use of irony and/or flashbacks. Point of view is appropriate and consistent.	Very Good Student includes irony and/or flashbacks. Point of view is appropriate and consistent.	Satisfactory Student makes an attempt to use irony and/or flashbacks. Point of view may be inconsistent.	Insufficient No evidence of irony or flashbacks. Point of view may be inconsistent.
Evidence of Proofreading 10 pts Student demonstrates careful attention to rules of spelling, punctuation, capitalization, and grammar.	Excellent Student demonstrates significant evidence of proofreading. Story contains few or no errors in spelling, punctuation, capitalization, and/or grammar.	Very Good Student demonstrates significant evidence of proofreading. Story contains some errors in spelling, punctuation, capitalization, and/or grammar.	Satisfactory Student demonstrates some evidence of proofreading. Story contains many errors in spelling, punctuation, capitalization,and/or grammar.	Insufficient Student demonstrates little evidence of proofreading. Story contains too many errors in spelling, punctuation, capitalization, and/or grammar.
Title and Format 10 pts Student uses a creative title and follows the format guidelines: font size 12 easy to read font (Arial, Calibri, Tahoma, Times Roman, etc.) Indented paragraphs Double-spaced completely Length: 1000-5000 words	Excellent Student includes a very creative title and follows all format guidelines.	Very Good Student includes a creative title and follows most format guidelines.	Satisfactory Student includes a title and follows some format guidelines.	Insufficient Title to story may be missing. Student does not follow most of the format guidelines.

Keywords:

short story

Subjects:

English

Types:

Writing

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