ASSESSING NARRATIVE WRITING

Audience

Text
Structure

Ideas

Character and
Setting

Vocabulary

Cohesion

Paragraphing

Sentence
Structure

Punctuation

Spelling

Didnt attempt
the task or
drew only a
picture.

Didnt attempt
the task or
drew only a
picture.

Didnt have any

ideas or write a
narrative text.

Forgot the task

was narrative
writing or didnt
attempt.

Only a drawing or
not attempted.

Only a drawing or
not attempted.

No correct use of
paragraphs.

No sentences

No evidence of
correct sentence
structure.

Random
letters or
symbols.

Doesnt
respond to the
audience.

One idea or
more but with
no elaboration.
Often these
ideas are just
listed in one
paragraph.

Only names of
characters used,
or gives their
roles.
AND/OR
Only names of the
setting

One paragraph or
less and few
content words
(words related to a
story).

The sentences have

unlinked ideas or
containing
incorrect words
that is confusing to
read.

Some paragraphs for

separate ideas.
Paragraphs may be used
to separate orientation,
complication and
resolution.

Some correct
sentences

At least one
correct use of
either capital
letters or full
stops.

Less than
twenty words
written or few
words spelt
correctly.

Acknowledges
audience
through simple
narrative
markers

Included a
title, an
orientation
only or a
middle with
no orientation
or a recount
of events with
no
complication
Includes a
beginning and
a complication
Resolution is
weak

Some ideas, no
elaboration or
very predictable

Describes
characters
through brief
descriptions
AND/ OR
Describes setting
briefly

Mostly simple
words with one or
two words to
describe the
character and /or
the setting.

Some correct links

between sentences
and usually uses
words that are
accurate.

At least one correct

use of a topic sentence
and each paragraph
contains one idea. New
paragraphs used for a
different time of day

Correct
sentences are
mostly simple
and/ or
compound
sentences

At least two
sentences with
full stops and
capital letters.

Attempts to
engage by
developing a
story that is
easy to
understand and
has a context.

Ideas show
development
and create a
storyline

Characters are
developed
through
descriptions,
actions, speech or
thoughts and
feelings to a
character
AND/OR
Setting is
developed
through
description, time
and atmosphere

Four or more
precise words and
good descriptions
of the character
and/ or setting.

Meaning is clear
and the text flows
and makes sense.
Uses synonyms or
antonyms and text
connectives like:
meanwhile, in the
middle of or
usually

Most simple
and
compound
sentences are
correct
AND
Some
compound
sentences are
correct

Most of
punctuation used
correctly.
Includes some
other
punctuation like:
? ! ; : () - ...

Correct
spelling of
most common
words and
more than
two words we
use often like:
because, which,
mostly,
sometimes.
Correct
spelling of
most simple
and common
words.

Includes an
orientation,
complication
and resolution
(may include
more than one
complication)
All is resolved.

Van Rijswijk, Heidi G and Anning, Sarah K | DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

ASSESSING NARRATIVE WRITING

Audience
4

Engages and
supports
reader
understanding

Supports and
engages reader
through
language
choices and
narrative
features
Uses
anticipated
values and
expectations of
the reader.
Uses precise
choice of
language and
narrative
features

Text
Structure
effective and
complete
narrative,
including a
plot

Ideas
Ideas are
elaborated and
contribute to an
effective central
storyline. Story
has an
underlining
theme

Character and
Setting
Effective
characterisation.
Distinct
characters are
created through
detail.
AND/OR
maintains a sense
of setting
throughout.
Details creates a
sense of place and
atmosphere

Ideas are
skilfully used in
creating a wellcrafted and
recognisable
theme/storyline

Name: _______________________________________

Van Rijswijk, Heidi G and Anning, Sarah K | DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

Vocabulary

Cohesion

Consistently uses
precise words and
phrase that enhance
meaning and mood

Ideas are linked

with sections of the
text. Cohesive
devices is used
correctly to
enhance reading.

Uses a range of
precise and effective
words. Language
choice is matched
to genre.

Paragraphing

Sentence
Structure
Most simple,
compound
and complex
sentences are
correct OR
All simple,
compound
and complex
sentences are
correct

Uses a
variety (in
length and
structure) of
sentences
correctly
All sentences
are correct.
Controlled
and welldeveloped
sentences
that are
effective

Date: ________

Punctuation

Spelling

All sentences are

punctuation
correctly. Mostly
correct use of
other
punctuation

Correct
spelling of
simple words,
most common
words and
some difficult
words.

Uses accurate
and applicable
punctuation

Correct
spelling of
simple words,
most common
words and at
least 10
difficult words.
Correct
spelling of all
words, at least
10 difficult
words and
some
challenging
words.

Pre Assessment Total: _____ Bumped Up Total: ____