SBAC Narrative Writing Rubric (Grades 6-8)
Smarter Balanced narrative writing rubric for middle school students. Assesses narrative focus, organization, elaboration, and conventions.
English
Grade 6
Grade 7
Grade 8
10 points
Rubric Details
- Standard
- California SBAC
- Subject
- English
- Grade Level
- 6-8
- Total Points
- 10
- Criteria
- 4 categories
- Assignment Type
- essay
Rubric Criteria
Narrative Focus Clarity and maintenance of the narrative focus | 4 pts | 3 pts | 2 pts | 1 pt | 0 pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Description | Narrative is fully sustained and consistently focused with an engaging, effective opening and satisfying closure. | Narrative is adequately sustained and generally focused. | Narrative may wander or lack focus. Opening and/or closure may be weak. | Narrative is unfocused, unclear, or minimally developed. | Response is blank, too brief, or does not address the task. |
Organization Sequence of events, pacing, and transitions | 4 pts | 3 pts | 2 pts | 1 pt | 0 pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Description | Effective, logical sequence with strong pacing. Smooth transitions and varied transitional strategies. | Adequate sequence and pacing with appropriate transitions. | Inconsistent sequence or pacing. Transitions may be weak. | Little or no discernible sequence. Few or no transitions. | Response is blank, too brief, or does not address the task. |
Development/Elaboration Use of narrative techniques, details, and language | 4 pts | 3 pts | 2 pts | 1 pt | 0 pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Description | Thorough, effective elaboration using dialogue, description, pacing, and/or reflection. Precise, vivid language. | Adequate elaboration with relevant details and some narrative techniques. | Uneven elaboration. Details may be weak, vague, or repetitive. | Minimal elaboration with few or ineffective narrative techniques. | Response is blank, too brief, or does not address the task. |
Conventions Command of grammar, usage, and mechanics | 2 pts | 1 pt | 0 pts |
|---|---|---|---|
| Description | Adequate command of conventions appropriate to grade level. Few errors. | Limited command of conventions. Errors may interfere with meaning. | Response is blank or contains severe errors that prevent understanding. |
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