Short Story Rubric

Student name:
Assessment name:
Area of Assessment

KNOWLEDGE /
UNDERSTANDING

Subject area: English 12

Date:
Does Not Meet
Expectations (0-1)

Below Expectations
(2)

Met Some
Expectations
(3)

Exceeded
Expectations
(4)

focus is unclear
theme is unclear or
lacking
logic of plot is faulty
point of view is
inconsistent
stylistic devices are
lacking or ineffective

focus wavers
occasionally
theme is not fully
developed
logic of plot is
inconsistent
point of view is mostly
consistent
stylistic devices are
effective some of the time

focus is clear (e.g., one

main character; one main
event)
theme is clear
plot develops logically
point of view is clear and
consistent
stylistic devices are
effective (e.g., use of
foreshadowing, varying
sentence length to create
suspense)

focus is clear (e.g., one

main character; one main
event) but these are
developed fully
theme is clear and
sophisticated
plot develops in a
sophisticated way
point of view is used
consciously for effect
stylistic devices are used
in sophisticated ways

ideas are derivative or

clichd
characters lack
development and
credibility
humour (if appropriate)
is
lacking or ineffective

ideas show some original

thinking
character development is
inconsistent
humour (if appropriate)
is
somewhat effective

ideas are creative and

original
characters are
convincing
humour (if appropriate)
is effective (e.g., use of
exaggeration)

ideas are creative,

original, and sophisticated
characters are portrayed
in
subtle or sophisticated
ways
humour (if appropriate)
is
effective and sophisticated

COMMUNICATION

writers voice is lacking

use of mechanics is
limited
diction, tone, and level
of language show a limited
sense of the intended
audience
dialogue (if applicable)
is of
limited effectiveness
description of characters
is
limited
description of setting is
limited
organization is
ineffective

writers voice is
sometimes evident
use of mechanics is
inconsistent
diction, tone, and level
of language suit the
intended audience to some
degree
dialogue (if applicable)
is
convincing some of the
time
description of characters
is
inconsistent
description of setting is
somewhat effective
organization is
inconsistent

writers voice is evident

use of mechanics is
correct and effective (e.g.,
punctuation)
diction, tone, and level
of language are
appropriate for the
intended audience
dialogue (if applicable)
is
realistic and convincing
description of characters
is
effective
description of setting is
effective
organization is effective
(e.g., paragraph structure,
transitions)

writers voice is
consistently evident
use of mechanics is
correct, effective and
virtually error-free
diction, tone, and level
of language are used
artfully to suit the intended
audience
dialogue (if applicable)
is used in sophisticated
ways
description of characters
is highly effective (e.g.,
brings them to life)
description of setting is
highly effective (e.g., vivid
images)
organization is highly
effective

APPLICATION

introduction is weak
introduction is
ineffective in presenting
main character, conflict,
and/or setting effectively
ending is ineffective
-- no worldly connections

introduction engages the

reader to some extent
introduction presents at
least two of the following
elements effectively: main
character, conflict, setting
ending is effective to
some degree
-- attempts to use worldly
connections

introduction engages
reader
introduction presents
main character, conflict,
and setting effectively
ending is effective
-- uses worldly
connections to enhance
story

introduction engages the

reader in a sophisticated or
creative way
introduction presents
main character, conflict,
and setting in a creative or
original way
ending is effective and
original
-- uses sophisticated
worldly connections to
enhance story

THINKING / INQUIRY

Comments:

Total: