Growing Up Heroic:
Adventures in Greek Mythology
Journal Rubric
CRITERIA
Diction & Voice:
word choice and usage;
liveliness, rhythm, and
personality of the
writer’s tone
Purpose &
Audience:
Purpose: the aim,
goal, and intention of a
piece of writing; its
content as represented
in its main points and
supporting details
Audience: the
readership for a piece
of writing, which
includes the readers’
likely interests,
concerns, perspectives,
and expectations
Grammar &
Mechanics:
Grammar: the system,
rules, and structural
relationships of
language
Mechanics: the
technical aspects of
prose style such as
punctuation
NOVICE
ON-TARGET
ADVANCED
The writing
—uses safe, general, vague
vocabulary that remains at or
below grade level without regard
to meaningful connotation
—overuses adverbs and adjectives
instead of focusing on sensory
details or uses a limited range of
adjectives and adverbs without
trying more precise synonyms
—relies on repeated, general verbs
—writes in a monotone; does not
engage or reveal personality
The writing
—uses vocabulary above grade
level that is specific to the topic,
interesting, complex, and new for
the writer. Sometimes denotations
are inaccurate and connotations
unintended.
—uses effective adjectives and
adverbs and a range of fairly
precise synonyms in order to
convey sensory details
—uses power verbs
—demonstrates occasional
instances of lively and engaging
voice, while the tone may be
inconsistent
The writing
—uses vocabulary above grade
level appropriate to the topic,
harnessing precise denotation and
significant connotation.
—presents vivid sensory detail
with balanced and a timely use of
adjectives and adverbs
—uses effective and vivid power
verbs
—demonstrates a lively, rhythmic,
and engaging voice while
exploring a variety of subjects;
allows a clear and multi-faceted
personality to develop
The writing
—presents certain instances of the
writer’s state of mind at a
particular moment, such as
emotions, opinions, or thoughts
—defaults to abstract description
where concrete, sensory
description is needed
—includes several tangential
details without a sense of which
ideas they support; may lack a
clear focus or reasons for writing
the journal
—focuses too much on surface
details rather than those events and
moments that allow more
reflective thinking
—avoids exploration of deeper
ideas and philosophies and does
not cultivate self-awareness
The writing
—presents a detailed portrait of the
writer’s state of mind at a
particular moment, including
emotions, opinions, and thoughts
—harnesses sensory detail where
appropriate
—indulges some tangential details
while maintaining a clear map or
line of thought
—chooses details to reflect own
personality, interests, and needs,
illustrating a conscious awareness
of own persona as an individual
writer
—shares insightful details about
people, places, situations, and
objects; provides a lens and angle
for seeing the world
The writing
—presents a detailed portrait of the
writer’s state of mind: emotions,
opinions, and thoughts
—harnesses rich, vivid sensory
detail where appropriate
—follows a clear map of complex
and varied thought using effective
transitions
—chooses details to reflect own
personality, interests, and needs,
illustrating a conscious awareness
of own persona as an individual
and as a writer
—demonstrates a maturity of
thought and insight about others
and self; offers an authentic and
meaningful lens and angle for
seeing the world
The writing suffers from several
mechanical errors including
spelling errors
fragments
comma errors
semicolon errors
colon errors
The writing usually avoids
spelling errors
fragments
comma errors
semicolon errors
colon errors
The writing always avoids
spelling errors
fragments
comma errors
semicolon errors
colon errors
Growing Up Heroic: Adventures in Greek Mythology
© 2009 Duke University Talent Identification Program
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