Rubric for Literacy Narrative Assignment (WRIT1301)

Open-Form Conventions

Very Effective Partially Effective Needs Improvement Score Title is inventive and infused with the

narrative’s overall theme.

More showing than telling through the

use of:

concrete language

sensory details

The narrative’s events must:

be relevant to the importance of literacy

as experienced by the writer

present an obstacle to the writer that was

overcome through literacy

be structured sequentially or spatially,

but also causally and thematically

have a resolution that places the

narrative’s theme(s) front and center for the

reader

Meets most but

not all of VERY

EFFECTIVE

criteria

Meets very few or

none of VERY

EFFECTIVE

criteria.

10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

Rhetorical Strategy Very Effective Partially Effective Needs Improvement Score Writer assumes the role of reliable

narrator through a voice that is convincing

and authentic, thus strengthening ethos.

By sharing his/her own values, ethics,

and interests; the writer is able to relate to

readers and keep their attention, thus

strengthening pathos.

The sequence of events and all of the

details important to the narrative make

logical sense, thus maintaining logos.

All rhetorical appeals are in service to

advancing the narrative and communicating

theme(s).

Meets most but

not all of VERY

EFFECTIVE

criteria.

Meets very few or

none of VERY

EFFECTIVE

criteria.

10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

Theme, Purpose, and Audience

Very Effective Partially Effective Needs Improvement Score Writer does not stray far from the theme of

personal literacy. Other themes may be

included, either explicitly or implicitly, but

personal literacy must remain as the

narrative’s core.

Rhetorical repertoire (plot, style, voice,

scale of abstraction, exposition, etc.)

effectively communicates theme to the

reader.

Meets most but

not all of VERY

EFFECTIVE

criteria.

Meets very few or

none of VERY

EFFECTIVE

criteria.

Rubric for Literacy Narrative Assignment (WRIT1301)

Readers are able to reflect on their own

relationship to literacy as a result of reading

the writer’s narrative.

Writer has a diverse audience in mind and

composes accordingly.

Although the narrative is the writer’s

personal experience, its theme(s) carry

universal implications.

10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

Organization and Clarity

Very Effective Partially Effective Needs Improvement Score The narrative has a strong beginning,

middle, and end, with smooth transitions

and a thematically­relevant resolution.

Pacing of the narrative is not mired by

over­exposition (flashbacks, authorial

asides, etc.) or simplified into “and then”

chronology.

Use of abstraction is minimal, allowing

for concrete imagery and direct appeal to

readers’ senses/imaginations.

Writer is able to convey meaning and

theme(s) clearly and efficiently; ideally, in

two readings or less

Meets most but

not all of VERY

EFFECTIVE

criteria.

Meets very few or

none of VERY

EFFECTIVE

criteria.

10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

Mechanics

Flawless paper; upholds writer’s

professional ethos.

An occasional but minor

error; writer’s ethos

remains intact.

Careless

mistakes

place the

writer’s ethos

into question.

Paper is

marred by

various

editing and

grammatical

errors;

writer’s ethos

is destroyed

Score

5 4 3 2 1

Rough Draft

at least 2-3 pages draft submitted on time;

Writer’s reflection paragraph after the peer

workshop demonstrates the writer’s

thoughts on his/her process;

Meets most but

not all of VERY

EFFECTIVE

criteria.

Meets very few or

none of VERY

EFFECTIVE

criteria.

Score

5 4 3 2 1

Total Score