Narrative

Narrative Marking Guide

This marking guide is designed to assist with feedback and helps ensure consistency when assessing
whether students have mastered the Seven Steps techniques in their narrative writing.

The ‘Marking Rubric’ gives a descriptor of what to expect from Beginner, Intermediate and Expert
writers for each Step. These descriptors can be used by the teacher when tracking students’ progress and
providing feedback, or by older students as the basis for peer- or self-assessment.

The ‘Master Marking Sheet’ is a simple template for recording student outcomes in each area for a
particular piece of writing.

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Marking Rubric
Step 1: Plan for Success
Evidence of some planning, but only one idea or a couple
Beginner 0–2 marks
of unrelated ideas have been developed.
Evidence of planning with ideas supported by some
Intermediate 3–5 marks
elaboration.
Strong evidence of planning with ideas selected and crafted
Expert 6–7 marks
to advance the plot.

Step 2: Sizzling Starts

The opening paragraph fails to engage the reader
Beginner 0–2 marks
immediately.
Intermediate 3–5 marks The opening paragraph is engaging and orients the reader.
The opening paragraph is well-developed and immediately
Expert 6–7 marks engages the reader’s interest, making them want to read
more.

Step 3: Tightening Tension

Beginner 0–2 marks The tension scene lacks strength.
The tension scene needs to be expanded further to
Intermediate 3–5 marks
help build suspense.
Expert 6–7 marks The tension scene is strong and builds to a climax.

Step 4: Dynamic Dialogue

Beginner 0–2 marks Minimal use of dialogue to develop the plot.
Intermediate 3–5 marks Some dialogue used to develop parts of the plot.
Dialogue used effectively throughout the text to
Expert 6–7 marks
strengthen the plot.

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Step 5: Show, Don’t Tell
The text tells rather than shows the reader, which makes
Beginner 0–2 marks
the story less convincing.
In some instances the text attempts to show the reader
Intermediate 3–5 marks rather than telling them, which makes the story more
convincing.
The text shows rather than tells the reader in all relevant
Expert 6–7 marks
instances, and as a result the story is very convincing.

Step 6: Ban the Boring

The text contains unnecessary content which does not add
Beginner 0–2 marks
anything to the plot.
Care has been taken to eliminate most of the unnecessary
Intermediate 3–5 marks content and as a result the text flows well and maintains
the reader’s interest.
A highly cohesive piece of writing that shows continuity
Expert 6–7 marks of ideas and contains tightly linked sections with no
unnecessary content.

Step 7: Endings with Impact

The text has a ‘quick-fix’ ending that leaves the reader
Beginner 0–2 marks
dissatisfied.
Intermediate 3–5 marks The ending is clear, but lacks excitement/impact.
The ending is well-planned, wraps everything up and makes
Expert 6–7 marks
the reader think.

Please note, secretarial skills such as punctuation and spelling are not covered in the Seven Steps
and therefore rubrics are not supplied for these elements. Feedback can be given on these using
your own criteria.

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Master Marking Sheet

Student

Title Date

Step 1: Plan for Success

Beginner 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Expert

Comment:

Step 2: Sizzling Starts

Beginner 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Expert

Comment:

Step 3: Tightening Tension

Beginner 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Expert

Comment:

Step 4: Dynamic Dialogue

Beginner 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Expert

Comment:

Step 5: Show, Don’t Tell

Beginner 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Expert

Comment:

Step 6: Ban the Boring

Beginner 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Expert

Comment:

Step 7: Endings with Impact

Beginner 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Expert

Comment:

Please note, secretarial skills such as punctuation and spelling have/have not been assessed.

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Strengths in your work:

Next time, work on these areas:

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