First paragraph has a "grabber" or catchy beginning.

First paragraph has a weak "grabber".

A catchy beginning was attempted but was confusing rather than catchy.

No attempt was made to catch the reader's attention in the first paragraph.

The entire story is related to the assigned topic and allows the reader to understand much more about the topic.

Most of the story is related to the assigned topic. The story wanders off at one point, but the reader can still learn something about the topic.

Some of the story is related to the assigned topic, but a reader does not learn much about the topic.

No attempt has been made to relate the story to the assigned topic.

The story contains many creative details and/or descriptions that contribute to the reader's enjoyment. The author has really used his imagination.

The story contains a few creative details and/or descriptions that contribute to the reader's enjoyment. The author has used his imagination.

The story contains a few creative details and/or descriptions, but they distract from the story. The author has tried to use his imagination.

There is little evidence of creativity in the story. The author does not seem to have used much imagination.

There is an appropriate amount of dialogue to bring the characters to life and it is always clear which character is speaking.

There is too much dialogue in this story, but it is always clear which character is speaking.

There is not quite enough dialogue in this story, but it is always clear which character is speaking.

It is not clear which character is speaking.

It is very easy for the reader to understand the problem the main characters face and why it is a problem.

It is fairly easy for the reader to understand the problem the main characters face and why it is a problem.

It is fairly easy for the reader to understand the problem the main characters face but it is not clear why it is a problem.

It is not clear what problem the main characters face.

Original illustrations are detailed, attractive, creative and relate to the text on the page.

Original illustrations are somewhat detailed, attractive, and relate to the text on the page.

Original illustrations relate to the text on the page.

Illustrations are not present OR they are not original.

The main characters are named and clearly described in text as well as pictures. Most readers could describe the characters accurately.

The main characters are named and described. Most readers would have some idea of what the characters looked like.

The main characters are named. The reader knows very little about the characters.

It is hard to tell who the main characters are.