CATEGORY

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Title Page

Title page has a graphic or fancy lettering, has the title, author's name, illustrator's name, and the year.

Title page has the title, author's name, illustrator's name, and the year.

Title page has the 3 of the 4 required elements.

Title page has fewer than 3 of the required elements.

Characters

The main characters are named and clearly described in text as well as pictures. Most readers could describe the characters accurately.

The main characters are named and described. Most readers would have some idea of what the characters looked like.

The main characters are named. The reader knows very little about the characters.

It is hard to tell who the main characters are.

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.

Action

Several action verbs (active voice) are used to describe what is happening in the story. The story seems exciting!

Several action verbs are used to describe what is happening in the story, but the word choice doesn't make the story as exciting as it could be.

A variety of verbs (passive voice) are used and describe the action accurately but not in a very exciting way.

Little variety seen in the verbs that are used. The story seems a little boring.

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.

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.

Writing Process

Student devotes a lot of time and effort to the writing process (prewriting, drafting, reviewing, and editing). Works hard to make the story wonderful.

Student devotes sufficient time and effort to the writing process (prewriting, drafting, reviewing, and editing). Works and gets the job done.

Student devotes some time and effort to the writing process but was not very thorough. Does enough to get by.

Student devotes little time and effort to the writing process. Doesn't seem to care.