Summative Assessment

Think about a time when you did or did not stand up for yourself or someone else in the
face of adversity or challenge. Recount the story in the form of a narrative essay. At the
end of the essay, reflect open your actions (or inaction).
Quick Checklist
Introduction paragraph introduces the narrator.
The narrative essay includes a reflection in the conclusion or concluding paragraphs.
The character reflects upon action or inaction and considers whether he/she would
change these actions in the future. If so, how?
Dialogue that sounds realistic (it is something that someone might actually say) and
has a point in the story. The dialogue does not need to be spell-checked.
Descriptions are included that add color to the essay.
There are more characters in the essay than the narrator. These characters have a role
in the story; they are not pointless.
The purpose of the essay clearly answers the essay prompt and answers the question,
So what?
The essay includes a logical sequence of events that unfolds naturally by using
transitions.
Use spell-check and correct the suggested mistakes. This does not apply to dialogue.
Essay is between 2 and 5 pages in length.
Note on grading: if any of the elements of this essay listed above are missing or
ineffective, the essay will need to be rewritten. Please see the note on rubric for more
detail.
__

Note on the following rubric: Any narrative essay that scores in the 0-2 blue range of
the rubric will need to be rewritten until a higher score is reached. However, everyone
has an opportunity to rewrite his or her essays (even if they score in the range above 2).

INTRODUCTION
-Narrator is introduced

The opening
paragraph introduces
the narrator. Contains
detailed background
information.

The opening
paragraph
introduces the
narrator. Contains a
minimal amount of
background
information; after
reading this
paragraph, we know
little about our
narrator.

CONCLUSION
-the actions or
inactions of the
narrator have been
reflected upon

DEVELOPMENT
-Dialogue
-Descriptions
-Characters
-Purpose: So what?

ORGANIZATION
Sequence of events
-logical and natural
-includes transitions

In the conclusion, the

narrator reflects upon
his action or inaction
in the story. This
reflection will include
a consideration over
whether the narrator
would change his or
her actions, and how
these actions could be
changed.

In the conclusion,
the narrator reflects
upon his action or
inaction in the
story, however, his
consideration is
superficial.

The opening
The narrator is not
paragraph
introduced in the
introduces the
opening paragraph.
narrator. Contains a
no background
information; after
reading this
paragraph, we know
nothing about our
narrator.
There is no
reflection.
The narrator does
not reflect clearly
on his or her
actions. The
reflection is
confusing.

The story includes

dialogue that is
realistic and
descriptions that add
color (as discussed
in class) to the story.
Additional characters
are introduced, and
they have clear roles
in the story. Dialogue,
descriptions, and
characters all
contribute to the
storys purpose. This
purpose clearly
answers the essay
prompt and answers
the question, So
what?

The story includes

dialogue and
descriptions.
Additional
characters are
introduced.
Dialogue,
descriptions, and
characters all
contribute to the
storys purpose.
This purpose
answers the essay
prompt but seems
vague.

One or more of the

following were
excluded: dialogue,
description, and/or
additional
characters.

The essay includes a

logical sequence of
events that unfolds
naturally by using
transitions.

The essay includes

a logical sequence
of events.

The essay includes

a sequence of
events, but the
sequence doesnt
make sense and/or
is confusing to the
reader.

All of the following

were excluded:
dialogue,
description, and/or
additional
characters.

Purpose of the piece

does not answer
The essay has no
essay prompt.
purpose/point.

No discernable
sequence of events.

MECHANICS

Spelling
-Because this is the
first major writing
assignment of the year,
the mechanics grading
will be lax. As long as
the essay is deemed
correct by spell check
which is not always
correctI will accept it
as correct. If you
recognize that spell
check has made an
error, please use the
correct mechanics.

Punctuation, spelling,
capitalization are
correct as deemed by
spell check. No errors
caught by spell check.
Essay is 2-5 pages.
*Dialogue does not
need to be spell
checked and is not
included in mechanics
grade.

Punctuation,
spelling,
capitalization are
generally correct as
deemed by spell
check, with few
errors. (1-2)

Punctuation,
spelling,
capitalization are
generally correct as
deemed by spell
check, with a few
errors. (3-4)

Essay is 2-5 pages.

Essay is more than

6 or less than 2
pages.

*Dialogue does not

need to be spell
checked and is not
included in
mechanics grade.

*Dialogue does not

need to be spell
checked and is not
included in
mechanics grade.

It appears that spell

check has not been
used; many errors.
(5+)
Essay is shorter
than 2 pages or
longer than 10
pages.
*Dialogue does not
need to be spell
checked and is not
included in
mechanics grade.

-In a narrative essay,

traditional spell check
test does not apply to
dialogue.
-Essay is between 2
and 5 pages in length.

Introduction/Conclusion _______
Development _______
Organization _______
Mechanics _______
Total Points ______ = grade of ______

Rough Grade Equivalent (24 points

maximum):
A = 22-24 points
B = 20-22 points
C = 17-20 points
D = 15-17 points
F = 0 - 15

Rubric modified from:

http://web.gccaz.edu/~mdinchak/101online_new/rubric_narrativeessay.htm