SomeCriteriaforEditingandEvaluating

Nonfiction,Fiction,andPoetry

With your students, select the criteria that link to your demonstrations and what students
already understand.

Content for Nonfiction

The title is short and prepares The closing paragraph leaves the

reader for the topic. reader thinking about ideas in a

The lead paragraph or introduction unique way.

grabs the readers attention, The closing paragraph logically

announces the topic, and/or grows out of the purpose of the

presents the thesis or point of view. piece.

The topic, point, or purpose has The purpose or point of the piece is

been supported with specific details. clear.

Ideas have been developed. The topic has been narrowed and

Uses appropriate nonfiction has a clear purpose.

structures: cause/effect, Arguments are strong and

compare/contrast, problem/solution, convincing.

question/answer, description, and A knowledge of the genres structure

sequence. is apparent.

The purpose of the piece has been Uses nonfiction features to

achieved: to persuade, to analyze effectively broaden ideas.

text, to review a book, to entertain,

or to be humorous.

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Content for Narrative

Title is short, snappy, and introduces Uses writing techniques such as

an aspect of the narrative. foreshadowing and flashback.

The lead grabs the reader and Uses dialogue to develop character,

raises questions. provide history, move the plot

The exposition includes setting, forward, show emotions, and

characters, and time. establish setting.

Plot is effective and contains a The narrative showcases a specific

problem to be solved. genre.

Action builds to a climax. The narrative shows an

Develops characters personality. understanding of the genre.

Protagonist changes from the

beginning to the end of the story.

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Style and Organization

The voice is strong. Strong sequencing and organization.

Varies sentence openings. Handles time changes effectively.

Varies the length of sentences. Weaves anecdotes into the text.

Verbs are strong and paint images. Transitions between sentences are

Nouns are specific. clear.

Uses active voice. Transitions between paragraphs are

Uses figurative language effectively. clear.

Ideas, arguments in logical order.

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Writing Conventions, Mechanics, and Usage

Marks paragraphs.
 Sentences contain complete Correct spelling is appropriate for

thoughts. student.

Uses capitalization correctly. Correct English usage (agreement of

Correct punctuation (commas, subject and verb, pronouns and

apostrophes, semicolon, colon) pronoun references).

makes ideas and/or story clear.

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POETRY
Content

Short title that announces the topic. Follows genres guidelines for: lyric,

narrative, persona, acrostic,

conversation, ballad, or haiku.

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Style and Organization

Shapes poem. Uses free verse.

Organizes poem into stanzas. Uses graphic cues: dashes,

Includes figurative language: simile, uppercase letters, varies size of

metaphor, personification, words.

alliteration, assonance, dissonance, Starts lines with an uppercase letter.

and/or onomatopoeia. Uses end-stopped lines.

Uses rhyme.

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Writing Conventions

Punctuates poem. Correct spelling is appropriate for

Opts for no punctuation. student.

Writes dialogue correctly.

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May be copied for classroom use. 2010 by Laura Robb from Teaching Middle School Writers (Heinemann:
Portsmouth, NH).