Name: _________________________________
Realistic Fiction Rubric
3 2
Lead Opening scene begins with a line of
dialogue, a sound effect, an
action…something that “hooks” the
reader’s attention and “shows” the
setting.
Ending Writes an ending that connects to the
rest of the story while using action,
dialogue, or feeling to bring the story
to a close.
Motivations/Struggles Clearly defines what the character
yearns for and “shows” the struggle(s)
the character goes through.
Show Don’t Tell Consistently writes story in a way that
gets readers to picture what is
happening and brings the story to life.
Heart of Story The heart of the story is elaborated
(stretched out) through:
● dialogue
● actions
● thoughts
● feelings
Organization Story is written in sequential order
with paragraphs and transitions.
Conventions Consistently uses punctuation, grade
level spelling, grammar, and
capitalization.
Lead somewhat draws the reader into
the story by “showing” vs. “telling.”
Writes an ending that connects to the
rest of the story, but doesn’t use
action, dialogue, or feeling to bring the
story to a close.
Main character’s motivation and
struggles are “there,” but not clearly
defined or shown.
Mostly writes story in a way that gets
readers to picture what is happening
and brings the story to life.
The heart of the story is elaborated
(stretched out) through: dialogue and
actions but inclusion of thoughts and
feelings is limited.
Missing one element of organization.
Mostly uses correct punctuation,
spelling, grammar, and capitalization.
1
Opens by only “telling” what the
character is doing; doesn’t “show” an
action or a line of dialogue.
Ending is not a strong connection to
the rest of the story.
Shows either a motivation or
struggle(s), but both are not present in
the narrative.
Occasionally writes story in a way that
gets readers to picture what is
happening and brings the story to life.
The heart of the story is not
elaborated (stretched out).
Missing two elements of organization.
Several errors in punctuation, spelling,
grammar, and capitalization