Name: ____________________________

Writing Piece: _______________________________________________

Grade 5 Narrative Writing Rubric

Not Yet
Focus

Introduction

Approaches

1 (Not Meeting)

2 (Approaching)

Focuses on some or no parts of

the prompt and uses no or
inaccurate information from
resources.
Does not orient the reader with
setting, situation, and narrator

Focuses on most parts of the

prompt and uses some accurate
information from resources

Focuses on all parts of the

prompt and uses accurate
information from resources.

Attempts to orient the reader

with setting, situation, and
narrator
Organizes some sequencing but
might confuse readers.
Uses some transitional words
and phrases to manage
sequence of events.

Orients the reader with setting,

situation, and narrator

Attempts conclusion, but misses

the mark in wrapping up
conclusion..
Uses few or unimportant
descriptions of actions,
thoughts, feelings, concrete
words, and sensory details to
describe experiences or events.
Tried to explode a moment

Has conclusion that wraps up

narrative

Uses dialogue correctly

including punctuation and
paragraphing
Few run-ons and/or sentence
fragments. Varies sentence
lengths.
Shows understanding of 5th
grade conventions including
spelling and punctuation.

Transitions

Does not sequence narrative in

logical order.
Uses few to no transitional
words and phrases to manage
sequence of events.

Conclusion

Does not provide a conclusion.

Development

Uses little to no description of

actions, thoughts, feelings,
concrete words, and sensory
details to describe experiences
or events. Moments are not
exploded.

Dialogue

Does not use dialogue

Sentence Structure

Many run-ons and/or sentence

fragments

Uses dialogue, but it is too little,

too much, or it is punctuated
incorrectly
Several run-ons and/or
sentence fragments

Conventions

Shows little understanding of

5th grade conventions including
spelling and punctuation.

Shows some understanding of

5th grade conventions including
spelling and punctuation.

Word Choice

Uses incorrect and/or overly

simple word choice
Formatting is sloppily done
including neatness, spacing
between words and
paragraphing

Uses basic word choices

Organization

Formatting

Meets

Formatting is mostly correct,

including neatness, spacing
between words and
paragraphing

3 (Effective)

Organizes clear event sequence

that unfolds naturally.
Uses a variety of transitional
words and phrases to manage
sequence of events.

Uses descriptions of actions,

thoughts, feelings, concrete
words, or sensory details and
describe experiences or events.
Exploded a few important
moments.

Uses strong, 5th grade word

choices
Formatting is correct including
neatness, spacing between
words and paragraphing

Advanced
4 (Distinguished)
Focuses creatively and skillfully
on the prompt, uses accurate
information from resources, and
makes accurate inferences.
Clearly orients the reader with a
detailed setting, complete
situation, and clear narrator.
Events are organized
thoughtfully and skillfully
Skillfully connects a variety of
transitional words and phrases,
and uses precise transitions to
communicate exact meaning
Has a thoughtful conclusion that
wraps up story and leaves
reader inspired
Uses few or unimportant
descriptions of actions,
thoughts, feelings, concrete
words, and sensory details to
describe experiences or events.
Skillfully exploded many
important moments.
Skillfully uses vivid dialogue to
show how characters respond to
situations.
No run-ons or sentence
fragments. Varies sentence
length purposefully
Shows creative and flexible
understanding of 5th grade
conventions including spelling
and punctuation.
Uses precise, sophisticated word
choices.
Formatting is perfect including
neatness, spacing between
words and paragraphing

Name: ____________________________

Writing Piece: _______________________________________________