Name: _____ Date: ________________________

Title of story: ________________________________________________________

Short Story Grading Rubric

CATEGORY Exceptional (100) Good (88) Fair (78) Poor (68)
Imagery Many vivid, Some vivid, The reader can The reader has
descriptive words descriptive words figure out when and trouble figuring out
(sensory details) are (sensory details) are where the story took when and where the
used to tell when used to tell the place, but the story took place.
and where the story audience when and author didn't supply
took place. where the story took much detail.
place.
Theme The theme of the The theme is The theme is a hard There is no theme.
story is clear. Its somewhat clear. to figure out.
obvious what the
writer is trying to
show.
Mechanics The story contains The story contains The story contains The story contains
no errors in few minor errors in many and/or so many errors in
grammar, usage, or grammar, usage, or serious errors in grammar, usage,
mechanics. mechanics. grammar, usage, or and mechanics that
mechanics; may errors block reading.
interfere with
reading.
Requirements All of the written Almost all (about Most (about 75%) of All requirements
requirements 90%) the written the written were not met.
(typed, readable requirements were requirements were
font, title) were met. met, but several
met. were not.
Hook Beginning of story Beginning of story Catchy beginning No attempt was
has a very creative has some type of was attempted but made to catch the
"grabber". The "grabber". The did not grab the reader's attention in
reader's is pulled reader is pulled into readers attention. the beginning of the
into the story. the story. story. Story begins
abruptly or
awkwardly.
Organization The story is very well The story is pretty The story is a little Ideas and scenes
organized. One idea well organized. One hard to follow. The seem to be randomly
or scene follows idea or scene may transitions are arranged.
another in a logical seem out of place. sometimes not clear.
sequence with clear Clear transitions are
transitions. used.
Creativity The story contains The story contains a The story contains a There is little
many creative few creative details few creative details evidence of
details and/or and/or descriptions and/or descriptions, creativity in the
descriptions that that contribute to but they distract story. The author
contribute to the the reader's from the story. The does not seem to
reader's enjoyment. enjoyment. The author has tried to have used much
The author has author has used use his/her imagination.
really used his/her his/her imagination.
imagination. imagination.