THE ROUGH DRAFT RUBRIC
1. Techniques (5 points)
___Specific details/furniture, use of at least one allusion 1
___Image-sensory based, concrete not abstract, show don’t tell 1
___Language: diction, dialogue, fluid, syntax, no chopped prose 1
___Figurative Language: metaphor, symbol, personification, simile 1
___Sound/music: anaphora, rhyme, alliteration, assonance, tone matches .5
___Voice: author in control of subject and tone .5
___TOTAL (5)
2. Mechanics: (2 points)
Punctuation, sentence errors, spelling, line breaks, usage, tense or POV changes,
pronouns, agreement, usage, epigraphs punctuated, present tense active verbs!
___TOTAL (2)
3. Coherence: Clear focus, title, content & format reinforce one another
___TOTAL (1)
4. Style: Plain, sentence variety, parallel structure, concise, panache
___TOTAL (1)
5. Manuscript Style:
No bold or centering, 12 pt. fonts, Times New Roman, spacing 1.5 poetry
& 2 for prose, CAPS for titles, margins left, no auto caps
___TOTAL (1)
___Epigraphs: extra credit + 2 out of 100
___GRAND TOTAL (10)
COMMENTS:
GRADE A, FIRST-CLASS, TOP-NOTCH, SURE-FIRE, REVISION RECIPE
___1. Check off or add an epigraph or weave quotation into the text.
___2. Use allusion: literary, artistic, historical or scientific references.
___3. Figurative language: add one more metaphor, personification or paradox.
___4. Upgrade vocabulary of three words. Use a thesaurus but don’t overdo!
Proofread to avoid verbs of being. (is & am) Use action verbs.
___5. Use two lists for music and momentum.
___6. Use an auditory image, add an additional image, one should not be visual.
___7. Read aloud. Listen for sound. Consider euphony, cacophony, refrains.
___8. Parallel structure: I came. I saw. I conquered. Or Of the people, by the….
___9. Conciseness: trim extra words. Avoid redundancy.
___10. Use sentence variety. Vary short sentences or frags. Then combine
to achieve more complex expressions.
Other:
Ask the “so what?” & “who cares?” questions.
Does your work startle our delight? If not try again.
Use synesthesia.
Proofread for unity, logic & coherence. Check facts. Research.
Volunteer to give & get help from a peer editor.