Short Story Writing Rubric

Basic

Sound

Thorough

Extensive
Score

Content

Plot and
Situation

Narrative
Devices/ Story
Details

Organisation

Voice

Overly
simplistic No
clear controlling
idea and/or
theme

Story elements
may or may not
reveal a
controlling
idea/theme

Combines story
Skilfully combines all
elements around a story elements around a
controlling idea to
controlling idea to
reveal a thought
reveal a thoughtprovoking theme
provoking theme

Lacks a
developed plot
line

Provides a
minimally
developed plot
line

Develops a
Skilfully develops plot
standard plot
line with complex
line with complex
major and minor
major and
characters and a
minor characters
definite setting
and a definite
setting

Fails to use
details,
anecdotes,
dialogue,
suspense,
and/or action

Attempts to use
Anecdotes,
details and/or
sensory details
anecdotes,
and examples
suspense,
create a sense of
dialogue, and
the characters
action,
thoughts, actions
but with minimal and appearances
effectiveness
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

Little to no
structure:
Exposition,
conflict
and/or
resolution/
denouement
may not exist

Weak structure:
Exposition,
sequencing of
ideas in
body and/or
resolution/denoue
ment
need some
revision
May be isolated
events with weak
sequencing

Unclear or no
Sense of purpose
sense
and/or audience
of voice,
not clear
purpose
Writers voice is
and/or audience detached from the
story

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

Effective
Skilful Structure:
structure:
Strong, engaging
Engaging
exposition Logical and
exposition
effective sequencing of
Logical
ideas based on
sequencing of
purpose and skillfully
ideas
linked to theme
based on purpose
Resolution and
and linked
denouement
to theme
reinforce theme and
Resolution and
give closure
denouement
reinforce theme
and give closure

Writers voice is
confident,
authentic and
entertaining
Reveals the
significance of
the writers
attitude about the
subject/memorabe
incident

Writer's voice is
authentic,
clever and entertaining
Skillfully reveals the
significance of the
writers
attitude about the
subject/
memorable incident
Clear sense of

Name: __________________________________________

Teacher: Ms C Graham-Smith

Comments:
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