2.1.
5 – Narrative Writing Checklist
Narrative Writing Checklist
LAYOUT 1. Gripping beginning
2. Interesting supporting paragraphs
3. Focused closure
GRAMMAR 1. First, second,d and third person narratives can be
used depending upon the story
2. First person narrative to be used in narrative writing
3. Tenses vary according to the demand
LANGUAGE AND VOCABULARY 1. Informal language
2. Frequent use of adjectives and adverbs to create a
picture in the mind of the reader
SEQUENCE 1. Writing a beginning in which the characters and the
setting is specified
2. Telling the remaining story bit by bit through
paragraphs and linking them with transition words
and phrases like: a little later, after that, etc.
3. Writing an ending that is clear, and connected to the
beginning or the middle of the story
2.2.8 – Narrative Writing Rubric for Marking
Study the marking rubric given below and check your writing against it. How high do you score
yourself? What are some areas of writing that you need to improve?
Criteria Classes 6 to 8
(25)
Story Elements 10
(9 – 10 marks)
The plot is interesting, the problem is established, and solved by the end of the writing
There is a clear exposition, rising action, and declining climax for the story
There is a clear climax, a point of highest tension before the solution
There are more than two characters and communication between the characters exists through direct and
indirect speech
A description of the setting is provided – the description sets the mood and atmosphere of the story
(7 – 8 marks)
The plot is interesting, the problem is established, and solved by the end of the writing
There is clear exposition, rising action, and declining climax for the story
There is a clear climax, a point of highest tension before the solution
There are more than two characters and communication between the characters exists
A description of the setting is provided
(5 – 6 marks)
The plot is interesting, the problem is established, and solved by the end of the writing
There is either an exposition, rising action, and/or a declining climax for the story
There is a climax, a point of highest tension before the solution
There is at least more than one character and some communication between the characters exists
Minimal description of the setting is provided
(3 – 4 marks)
The plot is difficult to follow. Conflict is established and solved, but it lacks development
There is some rise and decline of action seen throughout the course of the story
The conflict does lead to where a climax could have been but there is none
There is only one character and defined with no communication
The setting is established with little description
(1 – 2 marks)
The plot is difficult to follow. Conflict is either not established or established with no solution
The story is flat, with little to no exposition, rising action, and/or declining action
There is no climax before the solution
Characters are not well defined and have no communication
Description is minimal or non-existent
Vocabulary and spelling
For every four spelling errors, deduct a mark. The lowest mark awarded is
5
(0) in the case of spelling errors exceeding the limit. The highest is (5) in the
case of perfect spelling
Grammar and punctuation
For every four grammatical errors, deduct a mark. The lowest mark
4
awarded is (0) in the case of grammatical errors exceeding the limit. The
highest is (4) in the case of perfect use of grammar
Written Expression 3
(3 marks)
There are a variety of sentences (simple, compound, and complex)
There are a variety of sentence types (declarative, interrogative, and exclamatory)
There is evident use of figurative language (e.g., similes and metaphors)
(2 marks)
There are at least two varieties of sentences (simple and compound)
There are at least two varieties of sentence types (declarative, interrogative, and exclamatory)
There is some use of figurative language (e.g., similes and metaphors)
(1 mark)
Only simple sentences have been used
There is no use of varieties of sentence types (declarative, interrogative, and exclamatory)
There is limited use of figurative language (e.g., similes and metaphors)
Paragraphing
Give (3) marks if at least three paragraphs have been formed – each with a
clear point, (2) marks if two paragraphs have been formed, (1) marks if 3
paragraphs have been formed with no clear distinction, and (0) marks for a
complete lack of paragraphs
