Narrative Writing Rubric – Grade 4
Student: ______________________________ _______ Overall Score: _____________ Focus Score: ______________
Writing Piece Focus: ________________________________________________________________________________
Score
____ 4
____ 3
____ 2
____ 1
Traits
Clear, well-organized, well-developed ideas
__ Clearly and thoroughly supports central idea or story with sufficient supporting details.
__ Transition words or phrases connect paragraphs smoothly.
__ Lead sentence grabs the reader’s attention.
Sentence Variation in Paragraphs
__ Sentences begin in a variety of ways.
____ 4
____ 3
____ 2
____ 1
____ 4
____ 3
____ 2
____ 1
____ 4
____ 3
____ 2
____ 1
____ 4
____ 3
____ 2
____ 1
____ 4
____ 3
____ 2
____ 1
__ Sentences flow from one to the next easily.
Word Choice
__ Vivid, lively verbs are used.
__ Imaginative, unusual adjectives are used.
__ Vague, overused, repetitive language is avoided (a lot, very, really, then big, pretty, like).
Figurative Language – Give the reader a mental picture using the following:
__ Metaphor (Our house is a zoo. My dog is a genius)
__ Simile (Our house is like a circus. Lily’s hair is as soft as silk)
__ Personification (The summer breeze whispered quietly to me. The stars looked down on
me and helped me find my way. Time ran away from me)
Editing for Grammar, Usage, and Mechanics
__ No run-on sentences (Incorrect: Janie left school early, she had to go to the doctor).
__ No sentence fragments (Incorrect: If Janie left school).
__ Sentences do not begin with conjunctions such as so, but, or and.
__ Subject/verb agreement (Incorrect: One of the toys are missing. Correct: One of the toys is
missing).
__ Correct, consistent verb tense usage (no mix past and present).
__ Punctuation at the end of every sentence and common comma uses correct (such as in
lists).
__ Capitalization is correct (beginning of every sentence, proper nouns).
__ Spelling is correct.
__ Paragraphs are used to differentiate between events, ideas, etc…
__ Paragraphs are indented correctly.
Evidence of Thoughtful Revisions
__ Evidence from text and prompt questions have been fully- considered by the student
before publishing.