NAME:__________________

PERIOD:__________________

SHORT STORY RUBRIC 2014-2015
Advanced
(4)
Proficient
(3)
Basic
(2)
Below Basic
(1)
Total:



Writing Process


20
The student has
completed the full
writing process.
(prewrite, draft,
revise, edit, publish)
Student has
completed all but 1-
2 steps of the
writing process
(student must
provide evidence).
Student has only
completed 2-3 steps
of the writing
process. Major
pieces of evidence
are missing (rough
draft, brainstorm,
etc.)
Student only
submits a final draft
as evidence,
showing they have
completed 1 step of
the writing process.


Ideas

20
Develops ideas well
and uses specific,
relevant details in
2.5-4 pages.
Clearly developed
ideas with
supporting details
in a minimum of 2
pages.
Ideas are unclear
and/or
underdeveloped in
less than 2 pages.
Details lack
relevance.
Attempts a
response, but lacks
focus and details.




Word Choice

20
Narrative is filled
with a variety of
specific and vivid
adjectives and
adverbs. Words are
precisely chosen to
enhance the story.
Narrative is mostly
filled with vivid
adjectives and
adverbs, though
there might be
some repetitive
word choice.
Narrative uses
boring, common
adjectives and
adverbs. It is
difficult for the
reader to create a
clear picture in their
mind.
Narrative does not
use adjectives and
adverbs very often,
or correctly. The
story is very difficult
to visualize.




Sentence Structure



15
Story is filled with a
variety of short and
long sentences,
including simple
and compound
sentences.
Compound
sentences include
commas
+conjunctions, or
semicolons.
Story has several
short and long
sentences, including
a few simple and
compound
sentences. Commas
are left out of
compound
sentences
sometimes.
Most of the
sentences in the
story are the same
length. Most
sentences are just
one type: either
simple or
compound.
Commas are almost
always left out of
compound
sentences.
The sentence
structure seems to
be lacking.
Sentences are
incomplete or
nearly all simple
types.


Organization




15
The story has a
clear beginning,
middle, and ending,
which enhances the
story and moves the
reader through the
text. There is an
appropriate
paragraph
structure.
The story has a
beginning, middle,
and ending, but one
or more may not be
clear to the reader.
The story is written
as one large
paragraph on the
page (no
indentations). The
beginning, middle,
and end are either
unclear or one part
is missing.
The story does not
follow a plot line.
There is not a
beginning, middle,
or end. Events are
out of order, and
the reader has
difficulty moving
through the text.

Conventions

10
There are less than
three errors in
punctuation,
grammar, or
spelling.
There are a few
errors in
punctuation,
grammar usage, or
spelling.
Narrative is littered
with mistakes in
punctuation,
grammar, or
spelling.
Errors interfere
severely with the
readers ability to
understand the
narrative.

NAME:__________________
PERIOD:__________________

Short Story Assignment Expectations

Directions:

Use your knowledge of the elements of short story (theme, characters, plot, setting, conflict, and
figurative language) to write a creative short story.

Requirements:

2 to 4 full pages of TYPED writing, double spaced.
Include a title and page numbers.
There must be a conflict in your story (man vs. self, man vs. man, man vs. nature, etc.)
Include all 5 elements of the plot line (exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, resolution)
Use 7
th
grade level vocabulary- Try new words! Adjectives and adverbs can make an immense
difference.
Include a theme to your story. You may choose one of the themes below, or come up with your
own.

Note: Although there will be conflict in your story, please keep the actions and language of the
characters school appropriate at all times. No swear words or graphic violence of any sort are allowed. If
this is found, you will have to re-write the story.


Forbidden Words: Common Themes:
Stuff thing cuz (this is not a word) very
Cause (if you meant because)
A bunch really Cool
bad
Good Hard went uhhh
Little big funny

Sad happy said
(You get the idea- make more specific choices!)
Terrible writing:
He said, The big snake was really bad and scary.
Great writing:
Timothy croaked, That slithering serpent is a
catastrophic menace and a terrifying monster!
Good prevails over evil.
Courage is not the absence of fear, but rather the judgment that
something else is more important than fear.
Love conquers all.
Actions speak louder than words.
Falsehood is easy, truth is difficult.
Man is always in conflict with nature.
Man seeks the meaning of life.
Sacrifice and duty are necessary evils.
Man can be redeemed.
Things are not always as they appear.
Look before you leap.
Believe if yourself. In order to succeed, we must first believe
that we can.
People are afraid of change, but there is always change.
Follow the Golden Rule.
It takes a village to raise a child.
Never give up.
Ignorance is bliss.
Freedom cannot exist without personal responsibility.