Survival
Short Story: Writing Rubric
W.11-12.2.A - Writing
Introduce a topic; organize
complex ideas, concepts,
and information so that each
new element builds on that
which precedes it to create
a unified whole; include
formatting (e.g., headings),
graphics (e.g., figures,
tables), and multimedia
when useful to aiding
comprehension.
W.11-12.2.B - Writing
Develop the topic
thoroughly by selecting the
most significant and
relevant facts, extended
definitions, concrete details,
quotations, or other
information and examples
appropriate to the
audience's knowledge of the
topic.
W.11-12.2.C - Writing
Use appropriate and varied
transitions and syntax to
link the major sections of
the text, create cohesion,
and clarify the relationships
among complex ideas and
concepts.
4. Exceeding Standard
Very clearly introduced the
topic. Organized complex
ideas, concepts, and
information so that each
new element builds on that
which precedes it to create
a unified whole that flows
easily. Included very useful
formatting, graphics, and
multimedia.
Clearly and thoroughly
developed the topic by
selecting the most
significant, credible, and
relevant facts, extended
definitions, concrete details,
quotations, or other
information and examples.
Details were most
appropriate to the
audience's knowledge of the
topic.
Used highly appropriate,
engaging, and varied
transitions and syntax to
link the major sections of
the text, create cohesion,
and clarify the relationships
among complex ideas and
concepts.
3. Standard Met
Clearly introduced the topic.
Organized complex ideas,
concepts, and information
so that each new element
builds on that which
precedes it to create a
unified whole. Included
formatting, graphics, and
multimedia when useful.
Developed the topic
thoroughly by selecting the
most significant and
relevant facts, extended
definitions, concrete details,
quotations, or other
information and examples
appropriate to the
audience's knowledge of the
topic.
Used appropriate and varied
transitions and syntax to
link the major sections of
the text, create cohesion,
and clarify the relationships
among complex ideas and
concepts.
2. Approaching Standard
Clearly introduced the topic
and previewed the ideas to
come. Organized ideas,
concepts, and information
into broader categories.
Included formatting,
graphics, and multimedia to
help the reader understand
the text.
Developed the topic with
relevant and well-chosen
facts, definitions, concrete
details, quotations, or other
information and examples.
Used appropriate and varied
transitions to connect or
distinguish between ideas
and concepts.
1. Standard Not Met
Introduced the topic,
previewing what is to
follow. Organized ideas,
concepts, and information.
Developed the topic with
relevant facts, definitions,
concrete details, quotations,
or other information and
examples.
Used transitions to connect
or distinguish between ideas
and concepts.
W.11-12.2.D - Writing
Use precise language,
domain-specific vocabulary,
and techniques such as
metaphor, simile, and
analogy to manage the
complexity of the topic.
W.11-12.2.F - Writing
Provide a concluding
statement or section that
follows from and supports
the information or
explanation presented (e.g.,
articulating implications or
the significance of the
topic).
Used highly appropriate and
precise language, domain-
specific vocabulary, and
techniques such as
metaphor, simile, and
analogy to clearly explain
complex details of the topic.
Provided a concluding
statement or section that
follows from and supports
the information or
explanation presented.
Conclusion could lead to the
reader taking action.
Used precise language,
domain-specific vocabulary,
and techniques such as
metaphor, simile, and
analogy to explain complex
details of the topic.
Provided a concluding
statement or section that
follows from and supports
the information or
explanation presented.
Used precise language and
domain-specific vocabulary
to inform about or explain
the topic.
Provided a concluding
statement or section that
related to the information or
explanation presented but
did not contribute to the
information or explanation.
Used language and
vocabulary that sometimes
helped inform about or
explain the topic.
Struggled to provide a
concluding statement or
section that related to the
information or explanation
presented.
W.11-12.3 - Writing
Write narratives to develop
real or imagined
experiences or events using
effective technique, well-
chosen details, and well-
structured event sequences.
W.11-12.4 - Writing
Produce clear and coherent
writing in which the
development, organization,
and style are appropriate to
task, purpose, and
audience.
Deeply engaged the reader
by setting out a problem,
situation, or observation,
AND its significance.
Established one or multiple
point(s) of view, and
introducing a narrator
and/or characters. Used
dialogue, pacing,
description, reflection, and
multiple plotlines to develop
engaging experiences,
events, and/or characters.
Used a variety of transitions
and phrases to build upon
each experience and create
a coherent and engaging
whole. Used descriptions
and sensory words to
convey memorable
experiences, action, or
events. Provided a
memorable conclusion that
follows from and reflects on
the events.
Produced clear, coherent,
and engaging writing in
which the development,
organization, and style are
best suited to task, purpose,
and audience.
Engaged and oriented the
reader by setting out a
problem, situation, or
observation, AND its
significance. Established one
or multiple point(s) of view,
and introducing a narrator
and/or characters. Used
dialogue, pacing,
description, reflection, and
multiple plotlines to develop
experiences, events, and/or
characters. Used a variety
of transitions and phrases to
build upon each experience
and create a coherent
whole. Used descriptions
and sensory words to
convey experiences, action,
or events. Provided a
conclusion that follows from
and reflects on the events.
Produced clear and coherent
writing in which the
development, organization,
and style are appropriate to
task, purpose, and
audience.
Oriented the reader by
establishing a context and
introducing a narrator
and/or characters. Used
dialogue, description, and
pacing to develop
experiences, events, and/or
characters. Used a variety
of transitions shift from one
time frame or setting to
another. Used descriptions
and sensory words to
convey experiences or
events. Provided a
conclusion that somewhat
follows from the events.
Produced writing that was
sometimes clear and
coherent and the
development, organization,
or style was somewhat
appropriate to task,
purpose, or audience.
Struggled to orient the
reader. Struggled to use
dialogue or description to
develop experiences, events
or characters. Used
transitions to manage the
sequence of events.
Struggled to convey
experiences and events. Did
not provide a conclusion.
Struggled to produce writing
that was clear or coherent
or where the development,
organization, or style was
appropriate to task,
purpose, or audience.
 W.11-12.5 - Writing
Develop and strengthen
writing as needed by
planning, revising, editing,
rewriting, or trying a new
approach, focusing on
addressing what is most
significant for a specific
purpose and audience.
Displayed evidence of a
STRONG writing process
including planning, revising,
editing, rewriting, or trying
a new approach with a focus
on addressing what is most
significant for a specific
purpose and audience.
Displayed evidence of a
writing process including
planning, revising, editing,
rewriting, or trying a new
approach with a focus on
addressing what is most
significant for a specific
purpose and audience.
Displayed evidence of a
writing process including
planning, revising, editing,
rewriting, or trying a new
approach.
Displayed some evidence of
an incomplete writing
process including planning,
revising, or editing.

W.11-12.6 - Writing
Use technology, including
the Internet, to produce,
publish, and update
individual or shared writing
products in response to
ongoing feedback, including
new arguments or
information.
Used technology, including
the Internet, to produce,
publish, and update
individual or shared writing
products in response to
ongoing feedback, including
new arguments or
information. Linked to
highly relevant and credible
information and displayed
information flexibly and
dynamically.
Used technology, including Used technology, including Did not successfully use
the Internet, to produce, the Internet, to produce and technology to produce and
publish, and update publish writing. publish writing.
individual or shared writing
products in response to
ongoing feedback, including
new arguments or
information.

W.11-12.7.A - Writing Conducted a longer research Conducted a research Conducted a short research Struggled to conduct or
Conduct short as well as project to answer a self- project to answer a self- project to answer a question manage a research project
more sustained research generated question or solve generated question or solve
projects to answer a a problem a problem
question (including a self-
generated question) or
solve a problem

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