Script Analysis Rubric
2014-15
Theme and
Character Arc
Dramatic Tension
Dramatic Irony
Advertising/Telegraphing,
Dangling Causes
3-Act Structure,
Inciting Incident,
Culmination,
Resolution,
Sequences
Outstanding Understanding
4.0/A
Can identify character arc in a
film or script and articulate this
arc’s connection to the theme of
the work. Understands that some
characters do not have an arc
and under what circumstance
they do not.
Can identify the dramatic
tension in a film or script or
sequence or scene thereof.
Understands ingredients
necessary to create dramatic
tension and resolve it.
Understands concept of A and B
hypotheses and hope and fear in
dramatic tension (constructivist
theory).
Can identify dramatic irony in a
film or script or sequence or
scene thereof. Understands
concepts of revelation and
recognition and can identify
them. Understands creation of
surprise vs. suspense relative to
dramatic irony.
Can identify these storytelling
elements in a film or script.
Good Understanding
3.0/B
Can identify character arc in a film
or script and articulate this arc’s
connection to the theme of the
work. Rudimentary understanding
of the options with respect to
character arc.
Fair Understanding
2.0/C
Can identify character arc in a
film or script but doesn’t
understand this arc’s connection
to the theme of the work. No
understanding of the options with
respect to character arc.
Poor Understanding
1.0/D
Cannot identify character arc in a
film or script or articulate this arc’s
connection to the theme of the
work. Has no understanding of the
variety of options with respect to
character arc.
Can identify the dramatic tension
in a film or script or sequence or
scene thereof. Understands
ingredients necessary to create
dramatic tension and resolve it.
Rudimentary understanding of
concept of A and B hypotheses and
hope and fear in dramatic tension
(constructivist theory).
Can generally identify the
dramatic tension in a film or
script but does not understand it
at the scene and sequence level.
Some understanding of
ingredients necessary to create
dramatic tension and resolve it.
Has no understanding of concept
of A and B hypotheses and hope
and fear in dramatic tension.
Can identify dramatic irony in a
film or script or sequence or
scene thereof. No understanding
of concepts of revelation and
recognition. Does not understand
creation of surprise vs. suspense
relative to dramatic irony.
Cannot identify the dramatic
tension in a film or script or
sequence or scene thereof. Does
not understand ingredients
necessary to create dramatic
tension and resolve it. Has no
understanding of the concept of A
and B hypotheses and hope and
fear in dramatic tension.
Cannot identify these storytelling
elements in a film or script.
Can identify these structural
elements and understands how
they connect to the creation of a
main dramatic tension or main
dramatic question in a film or
script.
Can identify these structural
elements and generally
understands how they connect to
the creation of a main dramatic
tension or main dramatic question
in a film or script, though there are
some confusions about
terminology.
Can generally identify these
storytelling elements in a film or
script but sometimes confuses the
two concepts or confuses them
with exposition or motifs.
Can generally identify these
structural elements but does not
understand how they connect to
the creation of a main dramatic
tension or main dramatic question
in a film or script.
Can generally identify dramatic
irony in a film or script or
sequence or scene thereof. No
understanding of concepts of
revelation. Understands creation of
surprise vs. suspense relative to
dramatic irony.
Can identify these storytelling
elements in a film or script but
sometimes confuses the two
concepts.
Cannot identify dramatic irony in a
film or script or sequence or scene
thereof. No understanding of
concepts of revelation and
recognition, or of creation of
surprise vs. suspense relative to
dramatic irony.
Cannot identify these structural
elements and has no understanding
of how they connect to the creation
of a main dramatic tension or main
dramatic question in a film or
script.
Chapman Screenwriting Rubric
Dodge College of Film and Media Arts
Screenwriting
Rubric for
2013-2014
Competence in
Presentation
Inspired
(Outstanding)
4.0
Impeccable
No typos
(GSP = Grammar,
No format errors
Spelling, Punctuation)
No grammar, spelling or
punctuation errors
Perfect titlepage +
presentation
Real and honest
Depth of
Compelling
Characterization
Empathetic
Complex
Vivid
Emotionally engaging
Arc is profound and sublime
Transports us to another
Storytelling Craft
world
Sublime
We’re so consumed with
characters, plot and world of
story that we never notice
the seamless structure
We are moved & profoundly
affected by the outcome
Highly original
Personal Voice/
Theme/Controlling Compelling
Riveting
Idea
Character driven
Complex
One of a kind
Controlling idea is
profoundly affecting
Emerging Talent
(Good)
3.0
No more than 1-3 GSP
errors and typos
No format errors
Perfect title page +
presentation
Functional
(Fair)
2.0
4-6 Typos and GSP errors
Occasional formatting errors
Title page missing key
information
Amateurish
(Poor)
1.0
Over 6 Typos and GSP
errors
Glaring or consistent format
errors
No title page
Generally believable
Some complexity in central
character(s)
Generally empathetic
Generally engaging
Clear character arc
Stiff & wooden
Awkward dialogue
Some clichés, stereotypes,
predictability or
motivational questions
Arc is forced or formulaic
Occasional obvious choices
Seems to understand basic
structure but acts out of
balance or flawed
Undisciplined # of pages or
scenes
Not much suspense or
engagement in story &
outcome
Silly stereotypes
Obvious or cliché choices
Predictable or
illogical behavior
Irresponsible choices
Harmful stereotypes
No arc
No noticeable structure or
balance
No sense of beginning,
middle, or end
Feels arbitrary or artificial
Undisciplined # pages or
scenes
Some clichés or obvious
choices
Familiar or predictable
elements
A bit too conventional in
following genre formula
Attempt at character-driven,
but events seem artificial
Some hints of a controlling
idea, but unfocused
Riddled with story clichés
Formulaic and predictable
Filled with silly,
implausible, or illogical
events
Not driven by character
Easily dismissed, no
interesting theme
Solid beginning, middle and
end
Characters and conflict set
up well
Engaging and/or suspenseful
story
Escalating stakes that build
to appropriate climax and
character arc
Generally original
Presents genre conventions
in new and interesting ways
Generally driven by
characters w/ authentic,
compelling motivations
A clear controlling idea lies
at the heart of the story
Dodge College uses the rubric below to assess screenplays for the following Student Learning Objectives:
Students will be able to identify and write fully dimensional characters;
Students will be able to write short and feature length screenplays that demonstrate effective storytelling craft and narrative structure;
Students will be able to write screenplays that demonstrate a distinctive personal voice;
Students will be able to demonstrate competency with industry standard writing style and presentation.
Screenwriting
Rubric for
2014-2015
Depth of
Characterization
Storytelling Craft
Personal Voice/
Theme/
Controlling Idea
Competence in
Presentation
(GSP = Grammar,
Spelling,
Punctuation)
Inspired
(Outstanding)
4.0/A
Real and honest
Compelling
Empathetic
Complex
Vivid
Emotionally engaging
Arc is profound and sublime
Transports us to another world
Sublime
We’re so consumed with
characters, plot and world of
story that we never notice the
seamless structure
We are moved & profoundly
affected by the outcome
Highly original
Compelling
Riveting
Character driven
Complex
One of a kind
Controlling idea is profoundly
affecting
Impeccable
No typos
No format errors
No grammar, spelling or
punctuation errors
Perfect title page + presentation
Emerging Talent
(Good)
3.0/B
Generally believable
Some complexity in central
character(s)
Generally empathetic
Generally engaging
Clear character arc
Solid beginning, middle and end
Characters and conflict set up
well
Engaging and/or suspenseful
story
Escalating stakes that build to
appropriate climax and
character arc
Generally original
Presents genre conventions in
new and interesting ways
Generally driven by characters
w/ authentic, compelling
motivations
A clear controlling idea lies at
the heart of the story
No more than 1-3 GSP errors
and typos
No format errors
Perfect title page + presentation
Functional
(Fair)
2.0/C
Stiff & wooden
Awkward dialogue
Some clichés, stereotypes,
predictability or motivational
questions
Arc is forced or formulaic
Occasional obvious choices
Seems to understand basic
structure but acts out of balance
or flawed
Undisciplined # of pages or
scenes
Not much suspense or
engagement in story & outcome
Amateurish
(Poor)
1.0/D
Silly stereotypes
Obvious or cliché choices
Predictable or
illogical behavior
Irresponsible choices Harmful
stereotypes
No arc
No noticeable structure or
balance
No sense of beginning, middle,
or end
Feels arbitrary or artificial
Undisciplined # pages or scenes
Some clichés or obvious choices
Familiar or predictable elements
A bit too conventional in
following genre formula
Attempt at character-driven, but
events seem artificial
Some hints of a controlling idea,
but unfocused
4-6 Typos and GSP errors
Occasional formatting errors
Title page missing key
information
Riddled with story clichés
Formulaic and predictable
Filled with silly, implausible, or
illogical events
Not driven by character
Easily dismissed, no interesting
theme
Over 6 Typos and GSP errors
Glaring or consistent format
errors
No title page