CATEGORY

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Title

Title is creative, sparks interest and is related to the story and topic.

Title is related to the story and topic.

Title is present, but does not appear to be related to the story and topic.

No title.

Accuracy of Facts

All facts presented in the story are accurate.

Almost all facts presented in the story are accurate.

Most facts presented in the story are accurate (at least 70%).

There are several factual errors in the story.

Organization

The story is very well organized. One idea or scene follows another in a logical sequence with clear transitions.

The story is pretty well organized. One idea or scene may seem out of place. Clear transitions are used.

The story is a little hard to follow. The transitions are sometimes not clear.

Ideas and scenes seem to be randomly arranged.

Text Construction

The text is organized in paragraphs. It has an introduction, a development and a conclusion. Paragraphs are linked by connectors and other linking devices. The text incorporates useful language to begin, tell and end the story.

The text is organized in paragraphs but either introduction, development or conclusion is missing. Some paragraphs are linked by connectors or other linking devices. The text sometimes incorporates useful language to begin, tell and end the story.

The text is seldom organized in paragraphs. Introduction, development or conclusion is missing. There are very few connectors or other linking devices.

The text is not organized in paragraphs; introduction, development or conclusions are not clearly distinguished. Absence of connectors or any other kind of linking devices.

Setting

Many vivid, descriptive words are used to tell when and where the story took place.

Some vivid, descriptive words are used to tell the audience when and where the story took place.

The reader can figure out when and where the story took place, but the author didn't supply much detail.

The reader has trouble figuring out when and where the story took place.

Problem/Conflict

It is very easy for the reader to understand the problem the main characters face and why it is a problem.

It is fairly easy for the reader to understand the problem the main characters face and why it is a problem.

It is fairly easy for the reader to understand the problem the main characters face but it is not clear why it is a problem.

It is not clear what problem the main characters face.

Solution/Resolution

The solution to the character's problem is easy to understand, and is logical. There are no loose ends.

The solution to the character's problem is easy to understand, and is somewhat logical.

The solution to the character's problem is a little hard to understand.

No solution is attempted or it is impossible to understand.

Vocabulary

The story includes typical native expressions for the situation described. There is evidence the writer looked for these expressions and at least two new words more to express his/her ideas.

The story does not include typical native expressions for the situation described. However, there is evidence the writer looked for three or four new words to express his/her ideas.

The story does not include typical native expressions for the situation described. The writer looked for only one or two new words to express his/her ideas.

The story does not include typical native expressions for the situation described. The author does not include any new words to his/her story.

Creativity

The story contains many creative details and/or descriptions that contribute to the reader's enjoyment. The author has really used his imagination.

The story contains a few creative details and/or descriptions that contribute to the reader's enjoyment. The author has used his imagination.

The story contains a few creative details and/or descriptions, but they distract from the story. The author has tried to use his imagination.

There is little evidence of creativity in the story. The author does not seem to have used much imagination.

Spelling and Capitalization

There are one or two spelling or capitalization errors. Spelling and capitalization rules are followed consistently.

There are three or five spelling or capitalization errors. Spelling and capitalization rules are followed in 75% of the text.

There are six or eight spelling or capitalization errors. Spelling and capitalization rules are only followed in 60% of the text.

There are more than nine spelling or capitalization errors. Spelling and capitalization rules are followed in only 50% of the text.

Punctuation

Punctuation allows clear understanding of the text.

Punctuation occasionally hinders understanding of the text.

Punctuation constantly hinders understanding of the text.

Punctuation always hinders understanding of the text.

Narrative Tenses

Narrative tenses (simple past, past continuous and “used to”) are always used correctly.

Narrative tenses (simple past, past continuous and “used to”) are frequently used correctly.

Narrative tenses (simple past, past continuous and “used to”) are sometimes used correctly.

Narrative tenses (simple past, past continuous and “used to”) are never used correctly.