Creative Writing Rubric

Creative Writing Rubrics

Exemplary (A/A+): Thoroughly developed characters, plot, structure, conflict, theme, and setting. Uses vivid description, effective diction and word choice, tone or voice, POV, imagery, and compelling dialogue throughout portfolio. Uses a variety of effective literary devices. Writing can be considered “art,” effectively communicating issues central to the human condition. Has few errors in spelling punctuation, syntax, and usage. Work includes evidence of several revised drafts.

Accomplished (B/B+): Well developed characters, plot, conflict, theme, and setting. Uses good description, diction, dialogue, voice, POV, imagery, etc. but work may not be as insightful or artfully constructed. Uses some literary devices, but with uneven success. Has some errors in spelling, punctuation, and usage but nothing that gets in the way of the reader’s ability to discern meaning. Work includes evidence of some revision (more than a second draft).

Developing (C/C+): Fairly well developed characters, plot and setting, but pieces in portfolio may have gaps. Uses some description, imagery, dialogue, voice, but with uneven success. Work suggests craft or insight into the human condition, but falls short of this goal. May use an occasional literary device, but work is abstract, too personal, clichéd, but does not lack meaning. Has errors in spelling punctuation and usage that distracts the reader. Work may be accomplished, but portfolio was late. Work includes some evidence of revision, but revision is largely in grammar and syntax, rather than restructuring.

Beginning (D): Development of character, plot and setting is on a very basic level, although these elements are present. Uses limited description, imagery, dialogue. Work is hastily done or lacks artistic style. Does not use literary devices, or work is largely abstract, or lacks meaning. Has careless errors in spelling, punctuation, and usage. Work includes little or no evidence of revision. Work may be developing, but story was turned in late.