Rubric for autobiographical writing

RUBRIC FOR AUTOBIOGRAPHICAL EVENT ESSAY

5

4

3

2

1

N

Organization My story has a strong lead that develops readers' interest, a developed middle that builds tension, and a satisfying ending that provides closure, all in an order that flows like water. My story has either a strong lead, a developed middle or a satisfying ending but not all three. Maybe the middle drags on too long or the ending is a bit abrupt. My story moves through the beginning, middle and end in a logical order. It takes the reader on a walk but on a sidewalk, not a high wire. My organization is rough but workable. My story may get off topic once or twice. My story is aimless or disorganized. It lacks direction. I didn't write enough to say one way or the other.

Paragraphs I indent the beginnings of all paragraphs and have one topic per paragraph. I wrote more than 5 paragraphs. I indent the beginnings of all paragraphs, have one topic/paragraph, and I wrote 5 paragraphs. Some of my paragraphs are too long or not indented. I wrote at least 5 paragraphs. I have several problems with paragraphs and/or I wrote less than 5 paragraphs. I use incorrect paragraph format and/or I wrote less than 5 paragraphs. I didn't write enough to judge.

The action My story gives details about one exciting, funny, sad or unusual event and reveals why it was important to me. I tell about one specific event in detail but it isn't clear why it was important to me. My story has one main event but also includes less important events that don't help readers understand what's important to me. I focus on more than one event, none of which have enough detail to give the story a clear focus. My story has no focus and is probably confusing to a reader. I didn't write enough to judge.

The scene I paint a mental picture for my readers, vividly setting the scene by describing important sights, sounds, smells, and/or tastes. I describe the central scene(s) in detail, but not vividly. I describe the scene at some point but some scenes are not described well. I use only 1 or 2 descriptive words, only describe relatively unimportant scenes, or give irrelevant details. I do not describe the setting of the journey. I didn't write enough to judge.

The cast of characters I create complex characters by showing them in action, describing how they look & act, by using dialogue and letting the reader "overhear" their inner thoughts. I create characters by describing who they are, what they look like, gestures, expressions, and using relevant dialogue. I tell who is in the story and their names and ages but do not show how characters behave and feel. I use little or only irrelevant dialogue. I only vaguely refer to characters (e.g., I talk about "my brother" but never say his name, how he acts, etc.). I use no dialogue. I leave significant characters out (e.g., my father, who took us on the trip I write about), and do not use dialogue. I didn't write enough to judge.

The point My paper reveals a profound insight gained from this trip. The lesson learned draws on a theme found throughout the essay. I reveal insights gained from the trip, but they may be just tacked on at the end. I describe relevant feelings or ideas, but I don't have a central insight or lesson learned. I describe a few feelings or ideas but they aren't well connected to the story. I don't share my feelings, insights or lesson learned. My essay seems to have no point. I didn't write enough to judge.

Conventions I use first person form, and correct sentence structure, grammar, punctuation and spelling. My mechanics are good. Errors may be from taking risks, trying to say things in new or unusual ways. I generally use the correct sentence structure, grammar, punctuation and spelling. I make frequent errors which are distracting but do not interfere with meaning. Numerous problems with grammar, spelling, etc. make my story hard to read I better get busy writing!

Prepared by Heidi Goodrich Andrade

See "Understanding Rubrics" here at MiddleWeb.

RUBRIC FOR AUTOBIOGRAPHICAL EVENT ESSAY
	5	4	3	2	1	N
Organization	My story has a strong lead that develops readers' interest, a developed middle that builds tension, and a satisfying ending that provides closure, all in an order that flows like water.	My story has either a strong lead, a developed middle or a satisfying ending but not all three. Maybe the middle drags on too long or the ending is a bit abrupt.	My story moves through the beginning, middle and end in a logical order. It takes the reader on a walk but on a sidewalk, not a high wire.	My organization is rough but workable. My story may get off topic once or twice.	My story is aimless or disorganized. It lacks direction.	I didn't write enough to say one way or the other.
Paragraphs	I indent the beginnings of all paragraphs and have one topic per paragraph. I wrote more than 5 paragraphs.	I indent the beginnings of all paragraphs, have one topic/paragraph, and I wrote 5 paragraphs.	Some of my paragraphs are too long or not indented. I wrote at least 5 paragraphs.	I have several problems with paragraphs and/or I wrote less than 5 paragraphs.	I use incorrect paragraph format and/or I wrote less than 5 paragraphs.	I didn't write enough to judge.
The action	My story gives details about one exciting, funny, sad or unusual event and reveals why it was important to me.	I tell about one specific event in detail but it isn't clear why it was important to me.	My story has one main event but also includes less important events that don't help readers understand what's important to me.	I focus on more than one event, none of which have enough detail to give the story a clear focus.	My story has no focus and is probably confusing to a reader.	I didn't write enough to judge.
The scene	I paint a mental picture for my readers, vividly setting the scene by describing important sights, sounds, smells, and/or tastes.	I describe the central scene(s) in detail, but not vividly.	I describe the scene at some point but some scenes are not described well.	I use only 1 or 2 descriptive words, only describe relatively unimportant scenes, or give irrelevant details.	I do not describe the setting of the journey.	I didn't write enough to judge.
The cast of characters	I create complex characters by showing them in action, describing how they look & act, by using dialogue and letting the reader "overhear" their inner thoughts.	I create characters by describing who they are, what they look like, gestures, expressions, and using relevant dialogue.	I tell who is in the story and their names and ages but do not show how characters behave and feel. I use little or only irrelevant dialogue.	I only vaguely refer to characters (e.g., I talk about "my brother" but never say his name, how he acts, etc.). I use no dialogue.	I leave significant characters out (e.g., my father, who took us on the trip I write about), and do not use dialogue.	I didn't write enough to judge.
The point	My paper reveals a profound insight gained from this trip. The lesson learned draws on a theme found throughout the essay.	I reveal insights gained from the trip, but they may be just tacked on at the end.	I describe relevant feelings or ideas, but I don't have a central insight or lesson learned.	I describe a few feelings or ideas but they aren't well connected to the story.	I don't share my feelings, insights or lesson learned. My essay seems to have no point.	I didn't write enough to judge.
Conventions	I use first person form, and correct sentence structure, grammar, punctuation and spelling.	My mechanics are good. Errors may be from taking risks, trying to say things in new or unusual ways.	I generally use the correct sentence structure, grammar, punctuation and spelling.	I make frequent errors which are distracting but do not interfere with meaning.	Numerous problems with grammar, spelling, etc. make my story hard to read	I better get busy writing!