Narrative Rubric Grade 9: Write narratives to develop real or imagined experiences or events

using effective technique, well-chosen details, and well-structured event sequences.

FEATURES

INTRODUCTION:
40%

Establishes a
Conflict

Engage and orient the

reader by setting out a
problem, situation, or
observation and its
significance, establishing
one or multiple point(s)
of view, and introducing
a narrator and/or
characters.

Effectively engages
the reader by
explicitly establishing
an interesting and
understandable
problem, situation, or
observation and its
significance.

Complete presentation
of problem/situation or
observation and its
significance. The
reader understands
the problem, but is not
drawn into the
situation.

Problem/situation or
observation is unclear;
significance is not
explicitly stated. The
reader has difficulty
understanding the
problem and is not
drawn into the
situation.

Reader must infer

the problem or
observation and its
significance. The
reader does not
understand the
problem and is not
drawn into the
situation.

Clearly establishes
point(s) of view; either
first- or third- person
is present, but the
reader is unable to
identify who the
narrator is.

Attempts to establish a
point of view, but it is
vague or confusing.
The reader is unable to
identify who the
narrator is.

The reader must

infer the point of
view and who the
narrator will be.

Establishes a Conflict
Develops a Point of
View
Introduces
Character(s)
Establishes Setting
Develops a Point of
View
There is a clear point
of view; either a firstor third- person
narrator is present.
The reader is able to
identify the narrator.

Comments
and Points
Earned

Introduces
Character(s)
Narrator/characters
clearly introduced.
The reader can
identify the main
character and
upcoming supporting
characters.

Narrator/characters
are introduced. The
reader can only
identify the main
character. Upcoming
supporting characters
have not been
mentioned.

Narrator/characters are
introduced, but are
unclear because the
reader has difficulty
identifying the main
character.

Narrator/characters
are introduced, but
the reader must
infer the identity of
the main character.

Setting is directly
stated. The reader
can identify both time
and place.

Setting is directly
stated. The reader can
identify either time or
place.

Setting is not clearly

stated. The reader
must infer both time
and place.

Presents a logical
sequence of events,
which includes a rising
action that leads to
the aha moment or
climax, near the end
of the narrative. The
reader understands
the conflict, but is not
drawn into the
situation.

Presents events which

may or may not be in a
logical order. Includes
a limited rising action
that may lead to the
aha moment or
climax too early in the
narrative. The reader
has difficulty
understanding the
conflict and is not

Presents events;
some of which are
not in a logical order.
Includes a limited
rising action that
leads to the aha
moment or climax
too early in the
narrative. The
reader must infer
the conflict and its

Establishes Setting
Setting is creatively
introduced using
historical,
geographical, and/or
popular cultural
references. The
reader can identify
both time and place.

BODY: 30%
Use narrative
techniques, such as
dialogue, pacing,
description, reflection,
and multiple plot lines,
to develop experiences,
events, and/or
characters.
Use a variety of
techniques to sequence
events so that they build

Plot Development
Engages the reader
by presenting a
logical sequence of
events, which
includes a rising
action that leads to
the aha moment or
climax, near the end
of the narrative. The
reader can easily
identify internal
and/or external
conflict.

on one another to create

a coherent whole and
build toward a particular
tone and outcome (e.g.,
a sense of suspense,
growth, or resolution).

drawn into the

situation.

significance.

Some dialogue is used

but it does not always
reveal elements of
character OR advance
the plot. The reader
may be able to identify
the speaker, and the
reader understands
how the dialogue
contributes to
character development
or plot progression.

Little dialogue is
used and it does not
reveal elements of
character OR
advance the plot.
The reader struggles
to identify the
speaker, and the
reader doesnt
understand how the
dialogue contributes
to character
development or plot
progression.

Create a smooth
progression of
experiences or events.
Plot Development
Dialogue and
Punctuation
Character
Development
Dialogue and
Punctuation
Dialogue is used to
reveal elements of
character AND
advance the plot, and
the reader
understands how the
dialogue contributes
to character
development or plot
progression.

Dialogue is used to
reveal elements of
character OR advance
the plot. The reader
can identify the
speaker, and the
reader understands
how the dialogue
contributes to
character
development or plot
progression.

Character
Development
Uses both direct and
indirect
characterization to
reveal the attitudes,
personality, and
beliefs of major and
minor characters.
Through the use of
characterization, the
reader easily
understands the
motives and actions
of the characters.

CONCLUSION:15%
Provide a conclusion that
follows from and reflects
on what is experienced,
observed, or resolved
over the course of the
narrative.

All conflicts are

resolved and loose
ends are tied up,
leaving the reader
without any
questions about the
narrative. Reveals
the moral of the story
in a manner that is
authentic rather than
contrived. Also
shows growth in the
character/narrator.

Uses both direct and

indirect
characterization to
reveal the attitudes,
personality, and
beliefs for major and
minor characters, but
does not use both
types of
characterization for all
characters. Through
the use of
characterization, the
reader understands
the motives and
actions of all
characters.

Uses both direct and

indirect
characterization to
attempt to reveal the
attitudes, personality,
and beliefs of major
and minor characters.
Through the misuse of
characterization, the
reader finds
contradictions in the
motives and actions of
some characters.

Uses either direct

or indirect
characterization on
a limited basis to
reveal the attitudes,
personality, and
beliefs of characters.
The reader must
infer the motives
and actions of some
characters.

All conflicts are

resolved but some
loose ends remain,
leaving the reader
with some superficial
questions about the
narrative. Reveals the
moral of the story in a
manner that is
authentic rather than
contrived. Also shows
growth in the
character/narrator.

Not all conflicts are

resolved and some
loose ends remain,
leaving the reader with
some questions about
the narrative. Reveals
the moral of the story
in a manner that is
authentic rather than
contrived. Also shows
growth in the
character/narrator.

Not all conflicts are

resolved and some
loose ends remain,
leaving the reader
with some questions
about the narrative.
Reveals the moral of
the story in a
manner that is
contrived. Shows
limited or no growth
in the
character/narrator.

LANGUAGE: 15%
Use precise words and
phrases, telling details,
and sensory language to
convey a vivid picture of
the experiences, events,
setting, and/or
characters
Tone
Voice
Imagery/Sensory
Detail
Varied Sentence
Structure
Transitions

Imagery/Sensory
Detail
Effectively uses
figurative language
that evokes 4 or 5 of
the 5 senses: seeing,
hearing, tasting,
smelling, touching.
The writer gives
description through
the use of vivid
adjectives to show,
rather than tell, the
reader about a
character, setting, or
event.

Effectively uses
figurative language
that evokes 3 of the 5
senses: seeing,
hearing, tasting,
smelling, touching.
The writer gives
description through
the use of vivid
adjectives to show,
rather than tell, the
reader about a
character, setting, or
event.

Effectively uses
figurative language
that evokes 2 of the 5
senses: seeing,
hearing, tasting,
smelling, touching.
The writer gives
description through the
use of overused
adjectives to show,
rather than tell, the
reader about a
character, setting, or
event.

Effectively uses
figurative language
that evokes at least
1 of the 5 senses:
seeing, hearing,
tasting, smelling,
touching. The writer
gives description
through the use of
overused adjectives
to tell, rather than
show, the reader
about a character,
setting, or event.

Comments: