Assessment Rubric for Narrative Writing Projects:

	Excellent (A)	Good (B)	Fair (C)	Poor (D)
CONTENT: The overall quality of the piece; assessment of ideas, concepts, story elements, and specific requirements of the assignment.	A meaningful, unique, effective story written in an engaging narrative style with evocative moment-by-moment detail. Features original and compelling characters, believable conflicts and a meaningful theme.	A clear, coherent, intelligent story written in a narrative style with some moment-by-moment detail. Contains all or most of the elements of an effective story, though some may not be fully realized or developed.	An interesting but perhaps simplistic story written as a plot summary or essay, with little moment-by-moment detail. May be derivative or formulaic; plot, characters and conflicts lack development.	An especially short, limited, unclear or confusing story, written with no moment-by-moment detail, no development of characters, plot, conflicts or theme.
TECHNIQUE: The level of language used and its technical correctness; formatting and presentation of final draft.	Fluent, sophisticated language with essentially no errors; advanced vocabulary and effective, varied sentence structures. Proper format and presentation.	Clear, appropriate language with some errors; proper, accurate vocabulary and consistently correct grammar. Minor irregularities in format and/or presentation.	Simple, basic language with many errors; occasionally imprecise or unclear. Major or multiple irregularities in format and presentation.	Confusing, informal or inappropriate language with many serious errors; may be difficult to read or understand. Sloppy or illegible format and presentation.
PROCESS: Punctuality and engagement with writing process; improvements made at each stage.	On time with draft and revision, noticeable progress and improvement at each step.	On time or slightly late with draft or revision; some improvement and progress seen from draft to revision to final.	Late with draft or revision; little improvement seen from draft to revision to final.	Late at each stage; no meaningful improvement. Draft, revision, and final are essentially the same.

If the project is submitted after the due date, the grade based on the rubric will be reduced by one full letter grade. Late projects will only be accepted for a limited time after the due date. Drafts and/or revisions will not be accepted after the final project due date.

The writing project receives a failing grade (“F”) if:

· a draft and revision were not completed and submitted by the student during the time allotted for the project, prior to submission of the final draft;

· the student fails to provide evidence of such submissions on the progress sheet, where required;

· the progress sheet, if required, is not submitted;

· the project does not attempt to meet the specific requirements of the given assignment;

· the content is not the student’s own, original work;

· the overall writing skill is significantly below grade level.

The writing project receives a zero (no credit) if:

· it is not submitted at all;

· it is submitted with no name on it (appropriate rubric-based grade will be applied once owner is identified);

· it is submitted after the pre-defined “grace period” allotted for late projects;

· it was copied, in whole or in part, from an outside source, or from another student.

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