Narrative Essay Rubric for ______Final Essay Grade:______

ELA7W2 The student demonstrates a competence in the narrative genre (fictional, personal, experimental).

Standard / Strong Meets / Weak Meets / Does Not Meet
Engages readers by establishing and developing a plot, setting, and point of view that are appropriate to the story. / Introduction has a strong hook or attention grabber that is appropriate for the audience. Writer clearly establishes plot, setting, and point of view. / Introduction has hook or attention grabber appropriate for the audience. Writer attempts to establish plot, setting, and point of view. / There is no clear introduction. Writer does not establish plot, setting, and point of view.
Creates an organizing structure appropriate to purpose, audience, and context. / Details placed in a logical order and effectively keep the interest of the reader. Variety of thoughtful transitions used that clearly show how ideas are connected. / Some details are not in a logical or expected order, and this distracts the reader. Some transitions work, but connections between other ideas are fuzzy. / Many details are not in a logical or expected order. There is little sense that the writing is organized. The transitions between ideas are unclear or nonexistent.
Develops characters using standard methods of characterization. / Characters are vividly brought to life through the use of a variety of methods of characterization (thoughts, actions, dialogue, appearance, what others think/say about character) / Writer attempts to use characterization methods to develop characters; some characters may be more developed than others. / Virtually no methods of characterization are used; reader has little or no sense of who the characters are.
Includes sensory details and concrete language to develop plot, setting, and character. / Writer uses vivid words and phrases that linger or draw pictures in the reader's mind. Specific and accurate words develop plot, setting, and character. / Writer uses some sensory details and concrete language to develop plot, setting, and character, but writing lacks variety, punch or flair. / Writer does not include sensory details or concrete language.
Excludes extraneous details and inconsistencies. / All details are clearly relevant to the story. / Most details are clearly relevant to the story. / Many details are inconsistent and/or extraneous to the story.
Uses a range of narrative strategies (e.g., suspense, figurative language, dialogue, expanded vocabulary, flashback, movement, gestures, and expressions, tone, and mood). / Writer effectively uses a range of narrative strategies. / Writer attempts to use narrative strategies. / Writer does not use narrative strategies.
Provides a sense of closure to writing. / A satisfying conclusion leaves the reader with a sense of closure and resolution. / The conclusion is recognizable and provides some sense of closure. / There is no clear conclusion; the story just ends.