1. Criteria 4 3 2 1 Point of View Opening Lines Setting Atmosphere
PoV is clear, consistent and engaging.
PoV is clear, and consistent.
PoV shifts occasionally.
PoV is not always clear or consistent
Opening Lines
Opening is engaging and original
Opening is engaging
Opening is clear but not engaging
Opening is confusing
Setting
Setting is vividly created and important to the story.
Setting is clearly established and important to the story.
Setting is clear but not overly important to the story.
Little to no attempt to establish setting.
Atmosphere
Highly effective details create the perfect atmo-sphere for the story.
Well chosen details create an appropriate atmo-sphere for the story.
Some details contribute to atmosphere.
Little to no attempt to create atmosphere.
Character
Effective details create highly engaging characters.
Well chosen details create engaging characters.
One or more characters are not well developed or developed inconsistently
Characterization is shallow and or very inconsistent.
Foreshadowing
Excellent use of foreshadowing.
Good use of foreshadowing.
Foreshadowing is attempted but not successfully.
Little to no attempt to create foreshadowing.
Reaching the
Climax
All plot elements work together and build to a suspenseful climax
All plot elements work together and build to a climax
Most plot elements work together and build to a climax
One or more elements is missing and/or there is no climax.
Conclusion
The story comes to a highly effective and satisfying conclusion.
The story comes to an effective and satisfying conclusion.
The story comes to a clear end, but the reader is left with some questions.
The story ends abruptly or in a way that makes no sense.

2. Use of Figurative Language Variety in sentence length
Strong Verbs
Verbs are strong and highly effective.
Verbs are strong and effective.
Verbs are sometimes strong and effective.
Verbs are rarely strong and effective.
Vivid Words
Precise and vivid word choice.
Precise word choice.
Word choice is sometimes inaccurate or simplistic
Word choice is often inaccurate or simplistic
Use of Figurative Language
Highly effective and original choices
Effective choices
Some attempt to use figurative language effectively
Little or no attempt to use figurative language
Use of Transitions
Highly effective transitions create a coherent story that flows beautifully
Well chosen transitions create a coherent, easy to follow story
Some good choices for transitions but there are some gaps in coherence.
There are few transitions and the story is hard to follow.
Variety in Openings
Excellent variety in sentence openings.
Good variety in sentence openings.
Some variety in sentence openings.
Little variety in sentence openings.
Variety in sentence length
Excellent variety in sentence lengths.
Good variety in sentence lengths.
Some variety in sentence lengths.
Little variety in sentence lengths.
Mechanics
Excellent-no errors
Very good –one or two errors that do not detract from readability
Several errors that impede readability
Many errors