NARRATIVE TEXT RUBRIC
Students 7 8
will
Compose Develop real or imagined
Narrative experiences or events using
Texts effective technique,
relevant descriptive details,
and well-structured event
sequences.
Orient the Engage and orient the
Reader reader by establishing a
context and point of view
and introducing a narrator
and/or characters.
Organization Organize an event sequence
that unfolds naturally and
logically.
Development Use narrative techniques,
such as dialogue, pacing,
and description to develop
experiences, events, and/or
characters.
9-10 11-12
Develop real or imagined Develop real or Develop real or imagined
experiences or events using imagined experiences experiences or events using
effective technique, relevant or events using effective technique, well-
descriptive details, and well- effective technique, chosen details, and well-
structured event sequences. well-chosen details, structured event sequences.
and well-structured
event sequences.
Engage and orient the reader by Engage and orient the Engage and orient the
establishing a context and point reader by setting out a reader by setting out a
of view and introducing a problem, situation, or problem, situation, or
narrator and/or characters. observation, observation and its
establishing one or significance, establishing
multiple points of one or multiple points of
view, and introducing view, and introducing a
a narrator and/or narrator and/or characters.
characters.
Organize an event sequence that Create a smooth Create a smooth
unfolds naturally and logically. progression of progression of experiences
experiences or events. or events.
Use narrative techniques, such as Use narrative Use narrative techniques,
dialogue, pacing, description, techniques, such as such as dialogue, pacing,
reflection to develop dialogue, pacing, description, reflection, and
experiences, events, and/or description, reflection, multiple plot lines to
characters. and multiple plot lines develop experiences,
to develop events, and/or characters.
experiences, events,
and/or characters.
Transitions Use a variety of transition
words, phrases, and clauses
to convey sequence and
signal shifts from one time
frame or setting to another.
Word Choice Use precise words and
phrases, relevant
descriptive details, and
sensory language to capture
the action and convey
experiences and events.
Closure Provide a conclusion that
follows from and reflects
on the narrated experiences
or events.
Adapted by Elizabeth J. Nelson from the Common Core State Standards
Use a variety of transition words,
phrases, and clauses to convey
sequence and signal shifts from
one time frame or setting to
another, and show the
relationships among experiences
and events.
Use precise words and phrases,
relevant descriptive details, and
sensory language to capture the
action and convey experiences
and events.
Provide a conclusion that
follows from and reflects on the
narrated experiences or events.
Use a variety of Use a variety of techniques
techniques to sequence to sequence events so that
events so that they they build toward a
build on one another particular tone and outcome
to create a coherent (e.g. a sense of mystery,
whole. suspense, growth, or
resolution).
Use precise words and Use precise words and
phrases, telling details, phrases, telling details, and
and sensory language sensory language to convey
to convey a vivid a vivid picture of the
picture of the experiences, events, setting,
experiences, events, and/or characters.
setting, and/or
characters.
Provide a conclusion Provide a conclusion that
that follows from and follows from and reflects
reflects on what is on what is experienced,
experienced, observed, observed, or resolved over
or resolved over the the course of the narrative
course of the narrative