This document provides a rubric to evaluate a biography written by a student. The rubric has four levels - A, B, C, and D/F. Level A indicates the biography has a catchy beginning, smooth use of flashbacks if included, chronological order of events, strong details, clear voice, and a concluding ending. Level B means the beginning could be improved, flashbacks need better transitions, some events are out of order, and some passages lack voice. Level C signifies a dull beginning, non-working flashbacks, events don't make sense, few details, and missing middle and voice. Level D/F represents no real beginning, only a few sentences, no sequence, no story, and

1. Biographical Writing Rubric
Directions: Reread the biography you wrote. Use this rubric to help you improve it. Check the sentences
that best describe the person whose biography you wrote.
Loud and Clear
A
Sounding Stronger
B
Turn Up the Volume
C
I did Nothing
D=F
- The beginning is
catchy and intriguing.
- If I used a flashback, it
fits in smoothly.
- I present the events in
the middle in
chronological order.
- All events are
important to the
narrative. Nothing goes
off track.
- I bring the biography
alive with strong details.
- My personal voice
comes through clearly.
- The ending wraps up
the narrative
- My writing has very
few grammar or spelling
mistakes.
- My beginning could
be more interesting.
- If I used a flashback, it
needs a smoother
transition into the
narrative.
- Some events in the
middle are out of order.
- Here and there, the
biography wanders off.
- I've used details, but I
need more.
- Some passages have
voice, but others sound
flat.
- I need an ending that
fits the narrative.
- I have some mistakes
to correct.
- The beginning is
dull.
- If I used a flashback,
it isn't working.
- The sequence of
events doesn't make
sense.
- Not much happens. I
use few details. A
narrative doesn't take
shape.
- There is no middle
- My personal voice is
missing.
-The biography trails
off. It needs a solid
ending.
- I have so many
mistakes that it is hard to
read.
- There is no real
beginning
- I only wrote a
few sentences
- There is no
sequence to my
sentences
- There is no story
to tell
- The only thing I
organized were my
excuses