PERSONAL NARRATIVE RUBRIC

CATEGORY

Focus

There is one clear,

well-focused topic.
Main idea stands out
and is supported by
related details.

Organization

Main idea is mostly

Main idea is clear but
clear and supported by not all details are
relevant details.
supporting.

Main idea is somewhat

clear but there is a need
for more supporting
details.

The main idea is hard

to follow and the
supporting details are
vague.

The main idea is not

clear.

The introduction is
inviting. Details are
woven together so
expertly that the reader
is very interested in the
paper. Transitions are
very smooth and add to
the ease and interest of
reading the paper.

The introduction is
inviting. Details are
placed in a logical
order and the way they
are presented
effectively keeps the
interest of the reader. A
variety of thoughtful
transitions are used.
They clearly show how
ideas are connected.

The introduction
clearly sets the scene.
Details are placed in a
logical order, but the
way in which they are
presented sometimes
makes the writing
boring. Transitions
clearly show how ideas
are connected, but there
is little variety.

The introduction sets

the scene but is it
particularly inviting to
the reader. Details seem
to jump around and go
back and forth between
actions. Transitions are
used incorrectly.

Introduction is
confusing or boring to
the reader. Some details
are not in a logical or
expected order, and this
distracts the reader.
Some transitions work
well; but connections
between other ideas are
fuzzy.

There is no clear
introduction of the main
topic or structure of the
paper. Many details are
not in a logical or
expected order. There is
little sense that the
writing is organized.
The transitions between
ideas are unclear or
nonexistent.

Sensory
Details/Word
Choice

Writer uses vivid words

and phrases that draw
pictures in the reader's
mind, and the choice
and placement of the
words seems accurate,
natural and not forced.

Writer uses vivid words

and phrases that draw
pictures in the reader's
mind, but occasionally
the words are used
inaccurately or seem
overdone.

Writer includes some

vivid descriptions that
draw the reader in, but
the vocabulary is not all
specific or
sophisticated.

Writer uses words that

communicate clearly,
but the writing lacks
variety, punch or flair.
Few clear pictures.

Writer uses too many

common adjectives and
verbs that do not make
the experience unique.
Pictures may be clear
but contrived.

Writer uses a limited

vocabulary that does
not communicate
strongly or capture the
reader's interest.

Conventions

Writer makes very little

errors in grammar,
spelling, capitalization
or punctuation, so the
paper is exceptionally
easy to read.

Writer makes a few

errors in grammar,
spelling, capitalization
or punctuation, but the
paper is still easy to
read.

Writer makes some

errors in grammar,
spelling, capitalization
or punctuation that
distract the reader from
the content.

Writer makes many

errors in grammar,
spelling, capitalization
or punctuation that
make paper is hard to
read.

Writer makes many

elementary errors in
grammar, spelling,
capitalization or
punctuation that
distract the reader from
the content.

Grammar errors are so

numerous that
understanding is
impossible.

/100

PERSONAL NARRATIVE RUBRIC

CATEGORY

Focus

There is one clear,

well-focused topic.
Main idea stands out
and is supported by
related details.

Organization

Main idea is mostly

Main idea is clear but
clear and supported by not all details are
relevant details.
supporting.

Main idea is somewhat

clear but there is a need
for more supporting
details.

The main idea is hard

to follow and the
supporting details are
vague.

The main idea is not

clear.

The introduction is
inviting. Details are
woven together so
expertly that the reader
is very interested in the
paper. Transitions are
very smooth and add to
the ease and interest of
reading the paper.

The introduction is
inviting. Details are
placed in a logical
order and the way they
are presented
effectively keeps the
interest of the reader. A
variety of thoughtful
transitions are used.
They clearly show how
ideas are connected.

The introduction
clearly sets the scene.
Details are placed in a
logical order, but the
way in which they are
presented sometimes
makes the writing
boring. Transitions
clearly show how ideas
are connected, but there
is little variety.

The introduction sets

the scene but is it
particularly inviting to
the reader. Details seem
to jump around and go
back and forth between
actions. Transitions are
used incorrectly.

Introduction is
confusing or boring to
the reader. Some details
are not in a logical or
expected order, and this
distracts the reader.
Some transitions work
well; but connections
between other ideas are
fuzzy.

There is no clear
introduction of the main
topic or structure of the
paper. Many details are
not in a logical or
expected order. There is
little sense that the
writing is organized.
The transitions between
ideas are unclear or
nonexistent.

Sensory
Details/Word
Choice

Writer uses vivid words

and phrases that draw
pictures in the reader's
mind, and the choice
and placement of the
words seems accurate,
natural and not forced.

Writer uses vivid words

and phrases that draw
pictures in the reader's
mind, but occasionally
the words are used
inaccurately or seem
overdone.

Writer includes some

vivid descriptions that
draw the reader in, but
the vocabulary is not all
specific or
sophisticated.

Writer uses words that

communicate clearly,
but the writing lacks
variety, punch or flair.
Few clear pictures.

Writer uses too many

common adjectives and
verbs that do not make
the experience unique.
Pictures may be clear
but contrived.

Writer uses a limited

vocabulary that does
not communicate
strongly or capture the
reader's interest.

Conventions

Writer makes very little

errors in grammar,
spelling, capitalization
or punctuation, so the
paper is exceptionally
easy to read.

Writer makes a few

errors in grammar,
spelling, capitalization
or punctuation, but the
paper is still easy to
read.

Writer makes some

errors in grammar,
spelling, capitalization
or punctuation that
distract the reader from
the content.

Writer makes many

errors in grammar,
spelling, capitalization
or punctuation that
make paper is hard to
read.

Writer makes many

elementary errors in
grammar, spelling,
capitalization or
punctuation that
distract the reader from
the content.

Grammar errors are so

numerous that
understanding is
impossible.

/100