Characterization+Rubric

COMMENTS:
 * **CATEGORY ** || **4 ** || **3 ** || **2 ** || **1 ** ||
 * **Characters ** || Characters are colorfully and effectively created. They act, behave, react and think exactly as the original sketches described them. || Characters are effectively created. For the most part, they are indicative of the character sketches. || There are discrepancies between how the characters were originally sketched and how they are portrayed in the story. || Characters are not accurate in accordance with the original character sketches. ||
 * **Focus on Assigned Topic ** || The entire story is related to the assigned topic. Story is character-driven and not overshadowed by plot. Characters fully advance the plot. || Characters are more reactive to plot. Motivations and reactions fill space rather than exhibit || Some of the story is related to the assigned topic, but a reader does not learn much about the topic. || No attempt has been made to relate the story to the assigned topic. ||
 * **<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Creativity/Literary Elements ** || <span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">The story contains many creative details and/or descriptions that contribute to the reader's enjoyment. Literary devices are present appropriately utilized. || <span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">The story contains a few creative details and/or descriptions that contribute to the reader's enjoyment. Authors attempt to use literary elements. || <span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">The story contains a few creative details and/or descriptions, but they distract from the story. Authors make a meager attempt to display literary elements. || <span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">There is little evidence of creativity in the story. Authors do not seem to have used much imagination. No literary elements are used. ||
 * **<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Problem/ **
 * <span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Conflict ** || <span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">It is very easy for the reader to understand the problem the main characters face and why it is a problem. || <span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">It is fairly easy for the reader to understand the problem the main characters face and why it is a problem. || <span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">It is fairly easy for the reader to understand the problem the main characters face but it is not clear why it is a problem. || <span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">It is not clear what problem the main characters face. ||
 * **<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Paragraphing ** || <span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Story is fully and accurately paragraphed. || <span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Paragraphs are used frequently and reasonably accurately. || <span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">There is some attempt at paragraphing. || <span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Little or no evidence of paragraphing ||

**Prompt:** Using the sketches created in class, students are to work in groups to create a character-driven story that properly explores and demonstrates motivations, tendencies, reactions and emotions of the characters. The story’s plot elements are realistic and do not advance and dominate the story so much as the characters’ actions do. There should be ample usage of literary elements, as discussed in class.

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