Narrative Writing Assignment

~ Organization & Sentence Structure ~

Look at the picture and use your imagination to write a story that the picture has
helped you think about.

Free, Public Domain Image: Boy Crying As His Dad Leaves for the War

Content
Beginning
I set up a situation in my opening paragraph.
I introduced my characters, and described my setting.
I described my story problem or plot.
I described sounds, smells, or textures in my opening scene.
Readers will understand whats happening in my opening scene.
Middle
I chose events that matter in my story and described them.
My events occur in a natural way.
The events will make readers understand what my characters are
dealing with.
I paced my events to build suspense and concern in my readers.
Readers will understand whats happening in my middle scenes.
End
My ending resolves the problem.
Readers will be able to tell my story has ended.
My ending makes sense for the story I told.
Readers will understand whats happening in my conclusion.

Vocabulary
I have chosen interesting words and used them correctly.
I use words to help the reader see what I am talking about.
I use descriptive words.

Organization
Beginning
I set up a situation in my opening paragraph.
I introduced my characters.
I described my setting.
I described my story problem or plot.
Readers will understand whats happening in my opening scene.
Middle
I chose events that matter in my story.
My events occur in a natural way.
The events will make readers understand what my characters are
dealing with.
I paced my events to build suspense and concern in my readers.
End
My ending resolves the problem.
Readers will be able to tell my story has ended.
My ending makes sense for the story I told.

Sentence Structure
My sentences start with capitals and have end marks.
My sentences are a complete thought.
My sentences vary in length.
My sentences begin differently.

Planning Page
Use these page to plan out your story. Use the checklist above to help you.
When you have finished planning begin writing your story on the next page.
Introduction paragraph
Characters
Dad , Mom
their son
Setting
Army barracks
The Dad is saying goodbye to his wife and son before he leaves to go fight in the
war.
Strong Opening Sentence
The lump in my throat is bigger than its supposed to
be. I hope in all my heart that my Dad would be safe.

The lump in my throat is bigger than its supposed to be. I hope in all my heart
that my Dad will be safe. But my dad is trying to be brave like me. I am trying to
keep my feelings in. Weve done this so many times now, you would think it would
be easier, but its not. Im so scared that one of these times he will not come
home. last time He was gone so long that I thought that he would never come
home.
My dad life right now me and my mom are really weird and upstand about are dad.
He was so caring giving and nice that we would never forget him. My dad is
somethings so busy at work that we never get to see him.
The problem is that he been goon like gaver day and I barely get to see him. I am
weird that I think that he weird about him getting indred. a couple month ago he
came home.

Grade 5 Narrative Writing Rubric - Term 1

Organization

Sentence Structure

E
X
C
E
L
L
I
N
G

the story has a beginning, middle and end

there is a connection between events,
setting, and characters
characters are well described and
developed
there is a well described setting
there is a clear and well defined story
problem or plot that flows logically
the story problem or plot is connected to
the character
events, actions, details, and/or characters
are consistently maintained
the ending resolves the problem and
satisfies the reader

sentences are well

formed and flow smoothly
sentences vary in
length
sentences begin
differently
sentences begin with
capitals and use appropriate
end marks

M
E
E
T
I
N
G

the story follows a logical sequence with a

beginning, middle and end
there is a connection between events,
setting, and characters
story beginning establishes characters and
setting
there is a clear and well defined story
problem or plot
the story problem or plot is connected to
the character
story has a logical ending that resolves the
story problem

sentences include one

complete thought
sentences begin with
capitals and use appropriate
end marks
logical, make sense

A
P
P
R
O
A
C
H
I
N
G

the story has a beginning, middle and end

but can be difficult to follow
there is some connection between events,
setting, and characters
story beginning briefly describes
characters and setting
there is a story problem
the story problem or plot is connected to
the character
story has an abrupt ending

simple sentences, do
not include descriptive
language
sentences generally
begin with capitals and use
appropriate end marks

N
O

the story has no clear beginning, middle

and end

poorly constructed
sentences, don't make sense

there are some actions or events but are

illogical or hard to follow
lacks connection between events, setting,
and characters
does not describe characters or setting,
may just give character names
there is a story problem
there is no character development
story ending does not makes sense or is
missing

Y
E
T

repetitive

Grade 5 Narrative Writing Rubric - Term 1

Content

Vocabulary

E
X
C
E
L
L
I
N
G

details of the story are

established, specific and consistent
the story flows and makes
sense
supporting details are
consistent and help to develop story
writing holds the reader's
attention

well-chosen words are

used
phrases are purposeful
avoids overusing words
words and phrases are
used to create imagery (mind
images)

M
E
E
T
I
N
G

details of story are clear

and make sense
the story is generally
straightforward from beginning to
end
writing generally holds the
readers interest

general words are

chosen and used correctly
words and phrases help
explain and describe

A
P
P
R
O
A
C
H
I
N

the story is predictable

some details may be
irrelevant or unnecessary
tends to follow familiar
patterns or ideas
may keep the reader's
attention

general words are

chosen and are used
incorrectly at times
words and phrases are
simple and/or do not describe
well.

G
N
O
T
Y
E
T

few details or descriptions

does not flow from
beginning to end, illogical sequence
does not get reader's
attention

words chosen are often

wrong and/or misused.
phrases are misused or
missing