Guidelines for the Final Narrative Piece-60 Points
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Like all narrative pieces, this must be a STORY with a PLOT (include an exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, and
resolution). The story should have a specific overall focus (point) and appeal to the reader’s interest.
Final piece must be well-organized in paragraphs and include properly formatted dialogue that serves a specific function.
Pay close attention to precise word choice, vivid description, sensory imagery, figurative language, and varied sentence
structure to SHOW and not TELL your story.
This paper is graded on a rubric (see reverse).
Final piece must be printed BEFORE class.
Final piece must be submitted to turnitin.com by 11:59 p.m. on the due date.
Format: Times New Roman #12 font, 1” margins all around, double-spaced.
Length requirement: 3 (FULL)-4 pages for CP; 4 (FULL)-5 pages for Honors.
In a header at the top left of the first page, type your name, Final Narrative Piece, and an original title for your piece
Amy Smith
Final Narrative Piece
The Difference
 YOU MUST TURN IN THIS HANDOUT WITH YOUR FINAL PAPER.
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Ideas
Story has a clear and
interesting plot. Specific
details bring the story to
life by showing, not
telling.
The story has a clear plot.
Some specific details help
maintain interest.
The story has a plot. The
details need to do more
showing than telling.
Organization
The structure of the
narrative adds to the
enjoyment and ease of
reading.
The writer’s voice
captures the reader’s
attention and sounds
natural. Strong dialogue
enhances the narrative.
The narrative has a clear
beginning, middle, and
ending. Most transitions
are smooth.
The writer’s voice sounds
natural. Some dialogue
helps hold the reader’s
interest.
The writer’s precise word
choice and figurative
language vividly portrays
the event and paints a
clear picture in the
reader’s mind.
The sentences are
skillfully written and
utilize variety to hold the
reader’s interest.
Some specific nouns,
verbs, and modifiers
create clear images and
feelings.
For the most part, the
narrative is organized.
Some of the transitions
are smooth.
The writer’s voice creates
some interest in the
essay, but more dialogue
needed and/or dialogue
should sound more
natural.
Some stronger nouns,
verbs, and/or modifiers
would create a clearer
picture.
The narrative has no
significant errors in
spelling, grammar, or
punctuation. Clear
evidence of read-aloud
proofreading.
The narrative has a few
minor errors in
punctuation, grammar, or
spelling that do not
interfere with the overall
understanding of the
narrative.
Voice
Diction
Sentence
Fluency
Conventions
The sentences show some
variety and most are easy
to understand.
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The sentences are
somewhat varied, but
some are awkward and/or
should flow more
smoothly.
The narrative has some
errors that may distract
the reader.
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The plot of the story is
sometimes unclear.
Details are lacking or
unrelated at times. Writer
needs to show rather than
tell.
Sequence of events is
unclear or disconnected.
Transitions are lacking.
Plot is confusing or
unclear. Insufficient
detail.
The writer’s voice needs
to be stronger. Dialogue
is minimal or missing
altogether.
The writer sounds
uninvolved or
disinterested in the
narrative. Dialogue is
missing.
More specific nouns,
verbs, and modifiers
needed to paint a more
vivid picture. Words may
often be overused,
awkward, or too general.
A better variety of
sentences is needed.
Sentences are at times
choppy and/or
incomplete.
Numerous errors make
the narrative at times
hard to read and
confusing.
The writer has not
considered precise word
choice or has used words
incorrectly.
The narrative lacks a clear
sense of structure. No
evidence of preplanning.
Few sentences are written
well. Help is needed.
Errors are frequent and
show help is needed for
making corrections.
FINAL NARRATIVE PLANNING SHEET
1. What will you write about for your final narrative? Will you expand upon one of your shorter pieces, or will you write
something new? If you plan to expand a piece you have already written, how will you do so?
2. Will your narrative be written in 1st person, 3rd person limited, or 3rd person omniscient? Specify whose point of view it will be
written in if 1st or 3rd limited.
3. What will the main conflict of the story be? (Reminder: Conflicts can be man vs. man, man vs. himself, or man vs. society)
Explain your conflict and what category it falls under.
4. What will the climax of the story be? How will you build tension leading to this climax?
5. What’s the point of your piece? If it’s a personal narrative, will it reveal something about you or your relationship with
someone? If it is fictional, what is the message/theme for the reader?
PLOT MAP TEMPLATE: SEPARATE DOC
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1. Exposition
2.
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Who__
are
the
main characters
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in the__
beginning of the story?
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What__
__are the main characters
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2. Conflict
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What is the major problem in the story?___
How
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will you reveal this?
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5. Resolution:
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___ ___ What happens at the VERY end of the
___ ___ story? How will you bring a sense of
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closure to the story?
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