Personal Narrative Grading

Below you will find the area that students are being graded in and the high and low end of the rubric for that area. Each category is worth up to 20 points.

Ideas

20 (High)
§ Focus on topic is clear and
definite.
§ Effective and appropriate
details create a vivid picture
showing knowledge and
insight.

12 (Low)
§ Focus on topic is not clearly
defined.
§ Limited or disconnected details
show a lack of understandingand sidetrack the reader.

Organization

20 (High)
§ Memorable introduction and
conclusion are clearly linked
(may be explicit or implicit
connection) and establish focus.
§ Transitions effectively tie theideas of the paper together.

12 (Low)
§ Introduction and/or conclusion
lack focus.§ Transitions are not evident

Voice

20 (High)
§ The writer’s personality is
expressed; confidence and
feeling are apparent.
§ Connection to audience and
purpose is excellent.
§ Writing evokes strong emotion
in the reader.

12 (Low)
§ Writer’s personality is not
evident.
§ Connection to audience and
purpose is lacking.
§ Writing evokes minimalemotion in the reader.

Word Choice

20 (High)
§ Powerful verbs, precise nouns,
appropriate adjectives and
phrases enhance meaning.
§ Original phrasing and
memorable language promptreflective thoughts and insights.

12 (Low)
§ Verb and noun choice is rather
general. Adjectives and phrases
lack definition.
§ Language choice and phrasing
is inappropriate, repetitive orlacks meaning.

Sentence Fluency

20 (High)
§ Sentences vary in beginnings,
length and structure.
§ Sentences sound smooth and
rhythmic when read aloud; theyinvite expressive reading.

12 (Low)
§ Sentences offer little or no
variety in beginnings, length,
and structure.
§ Sentences lack rhythm orpattern when read aloud.

Conventions

20 (High)
§ A strong grasp of the standard
writing conventions is apparent:
capitalization is accurate,
punctuation is smooth and
enhances meaning, spelling is
correct even on more difficult
words, grammar is essentially
correct, usage is correct,
paragraphing (indenting)
enhances the organization of
the paper.

12 (Low)
§ A minimal grasp of the
standard writing conventions is
apparent.
§ Numerous errors in conventions
distract and/or confuse thereader.