Skip to main content

iRubric: Short Story Rubric

find rubric

edit   print   share   Copy to my rubrics   Bookmark   test run   assess...   delete   Do more...
Short Story Rubric 
Short Story Rubric
Students are to write a short story that demonstrates their understanding of the stages of plot and the characteristics of a short story.
Rubric Code: P23C892
By hruskagirl
Ready to use
Public Rubric
Subject: English  
Type: Writing  
Grade Levels: 6-8

Powered by iRubric Writing a Short Story
  Excellent

10 pts

Good

9 pts

Fair

8 pts

Poor

7 pts

Exposition and hook

Excellent

The story begins well and provides background information about the character(s) and setting. In addition, the hook grasps the reader's interest.
Good

The story begins well and provides some background information about the character(s) and setting.In addition, the hook somewhat grasps the reader's interest.
Fair

The story doesn't begin that well but provides some background information about the character(s) or setting. The hook attempts to grasp the reader's interest.
Poor

Fails to provide enough background information about the character(s) or setting and the hook doesn't really grasp the reader's interest.
Plot (conflict, rising action, climax)

Excellent

Plot is clearly depicted in the story and the story is developed around a sequence of events that build tension and lead to a climax. Clear beginning, middle, and end.
Good

Plot is depicted in the story and the story is developed around a sequence of events that build tension and lead to a climax. May lack specific areas in one area of the story. Has a clear beginning, middle, and ending.
Fair

Plot is depicted in the story and there is an attempt to develop the story around a sequence of events that lead to a climax. There is not much tension being built. Unclear events or ending is weak.
Poor

Plot is vague or unclear. The story fails to include a sense of building tension or sequential events that lead to a climax. More than one element of the plot is missing.
Falling Action & Resolution

Excellent

Falling action wraps up the story and brings the reader to a satisfactory and clear resolution of the conflict.
Good

Falling action leads to resolution with some good detail.
Fair

Falling action is weak or missing. Resolution is clear (may or may not lack detail)
Poor

The story fails to depict a resolution of the conflict. If there was an ending it was unimaginative or was a cliff hanger.
Point of View

Excellent

The story includes a sufficient amount of dialogue or description that is correctly written and easily read. Dialogue is correctly punctuated. The POV is consistent and clear.
Good

The story includes a dialogue or description that is correctly written and mostly easily read. Dialogue is correctly punctuated. POV is clear for the most part.
Fair

The story includes dialogue or description. Most dialogue is correctly punctuated and easy to read. The POV is hard to follow or switches inconsistently.
Poor

The story does not include a sufficient amount of dialogue or description that is correctly written and easily read. Dialogue is not correctly punctuated.
Figurative Language

Excellent

Student uses descriptive details to develop the characters, setting, tone and/or mood.
Characters are interesting and have depth.
Several examples of simile, metaphor, personification, or imagery.
Good

Student uses some good descriptive details to develop the characters, setting, tone, and/or mood.
Characters are interesting. Two or more examples of simile, metaphor, personification, or imagery.
Fair

Student uses some descriptive details to develop the characters, setting, tone, and/or mood.
Characters are somewhat interesting and have some depth.
One or more examples of simile, metaphor, personification, or imagery.
Poor

Student fails to use descriptive details to develop the characters, setting, tone, and/or mood.
Characters lack depth.
Little to no examples of simile, metaphor, personification, or imagery.
Grammar, sentences, word choice, format

Excellent

The student uses descriptive sentences that help build tension within the plot. Demonstrates a high level of grammar, vocabulary and punctuation. Uses a wide variety of sentence types.
Creative and engaging word choice.
Good

The student uses descriptive sentences and demonstrates a good level of grammar, vocabulary and punctuation. Uses several different sentence types. Uses some specific, interesting vocabulary.
Fair

The student sometimes uses descriptive sentences and demonstrates some understanding of grammar, vocabulary and punctuation. Varies sentence types on occasion. Word choices are average.
Poor

The student doesn't use descriptive sentences and rarely demonstrates an understanding of grammar, vocabulary and punctuation. Little to no variation of sentence types. Basic word choices.
Evidence of Proofreading

Excellent

Student demonstrates significant evidence of proofreading. Story contains few errors in spelling, punctuation, and/or grammar.
Story is formatted correctly.
Good

Student demonstrates significant evidence of proofreading. Story contains few errors in spelling, punctuation, and/or grammar.
Story is mostly formatted correctly.
Fair

Student demonstrates some evidence of proofreading. Story contains some errors in spelling, punctuation, and/or grammar. Story has several errors in formatting.
Poor

Student demonstrates little evidence of proofreading. Story contains many errors in spelling, punctuation, and/or grammar. Little to no regard for maintaining paper formatting as outlined in assignment.



Keywords:
  • short story

Subjects:

Types:

Discuss this rubric




Do more with this rubric:
Preview

Preview

Preview this rubric.
Edit

Edit

Modify this rubric.
Copy

Copy

Make a copy of this rubric and begin editing the copy.

Print

Print

Show a printable version of this rubric.
Categorize

Categorize

Add this rubric to multiple categories.
Bookmark

Bookmark

Bookmark this rubric for future reference.
Assess
Test run

Test run

Test this rubric or perform an ad-hoc assessment.
Grade

Grade

Build a gradebook to assess students.
Collaborate

Collaborate

Apply this rubric to any object and invite others to assess.
Share
Publish

Publish

Link, embed, and showcase your rubrics on your website.
Email

Email

Email this rubric to a friend.
Discuss

Discuss

Discuss this rubric with other members.
 

Do more with rubrics than ever imagined possible.

Only with iRubrictm.

n202