Rubric for Realistic Fiction Writing Unit

	4	3	2	1
Classwork	Works hard and helps others to work hard; always prepared.	Works well; occasionally having to be redirected; occasionally unprepared.	Creates some work, but not enough with the time given; has to be redirected often; often unprepared.	Works on and off, not accomplishing much; rarely prepared; keeps others from accomplishing goals.
Language Usage	Language is sophisticated and inventive.  The writer uses original poetic language.	Language is clear.  The writer uses some poetic language.	The language is mostly clear.  The writer has not used poetic language.	Passages are not clearly written.  The writer has not used poetic language.
Development	Narrative develops with at least four key scenes, each written long, bit by bit.	Narrative develops with three or four key points, some of which have been written long, bit by bit.	Narrative develops with two or three key points, few of which have been written long, bit by bit.	Narrative is exceedingly brief, relying exclusively on summary.
Setting	Setting is well described as part of the narrative and is worked into the dialogue; seems seamless	Setting is described as part of the narrative and is worked into the dialogue	Setting is described as part of the dialogue or is worked into the dialogue	Setting is barely mentioned or isn't mentioned at all
Characters	The desire of the main character is clearly described through scenes; the struggles clearly get in the way of the main character achieving his/her goal; complex characters	The desire of the main character is described through scenes; the struggles get in the way of the main character achieving his/her goal; slightly complex characters	The desire of the main character is not clear and/or not told through scenes; the struggles slightly get in the way of the main character achieving his/her goal; character is mostly flat	The desire of the main character is not stated; there are no struggles or they don't interfere with the main character; character is plain and flat
Meaning	Story relates an exceptionally meaningful experience in the character’s life.	Story relates a meaningful, realistic experience in the character’s life.	Story relates a predictable experience in the character’s life.	Story is unfocused. The writer doesn’t understand the task.
Structure	Story begins with a compelling scene.  Conflicts build, and the sequence of events is clear and easy to follow. The denouement shows conflicts are resolved.	Story begins with a predictable scene. The conflict is apparent, and the sequence of events is mostly easy to follow. The denouement brings the narrative to a neat conclusion.	Story begins randomly. The conflict may not be apparent, and the sequence of events is not always easy to follow. The denouement may be missing.	Story begins randomly. The conflict is not apparent, and the sequence of events is difficult to follow. The denouement may be missing.
Grammar	Writer demonstrates mastery of dialogue punctuation, capitalization, paragraphing, and apostrophe usage.	Writer demonstrates few errors in “4.”	Writer demonstrates multiple errors in “4.”	Errors in “4” interfere with readability.