Unit III Discovering the Obvious: Our Lives as "The Folk"
Lesson 1 The Child
Lesson 3 The Family: Louisiana Family Folklore

Rubric for Firsthand Biography

Name _____________________________________________ Date _____________

Performance Element
Distinguished

5 Points

4
Points
Intermediate

3 Points

2
Points
Novice

1 Point
Off
Task
0 Points
Score
Characterization
  • The character has depth revealing contradictions or surprises in his/her personality.
  • The writer uses visual imagery such as size, shape, body language, and style of dress.
 
  • The character has some complexity.
  • The writer uses a few visual imagery clues.
 
  • The character has no depth. Very little visual imagery used.
   
Incidents
  • Incidents are specific and not generalized events. Each incident shows character traits.
 
  • Most incidents are specific to the character. Some don't reveal character traits.
 
  • Incidents are very generalized and don't reveal character traits.
   
Significance
  • The character is shown as an important person in the writer's life. Specific events illustrate that importance.
 
  • Character's importance is vague. Few specific events illustrate importance to the writer.
 
  • Character's importance is limited. No specific events illustrate importance.
   
Voice and Tone
  • The writer's choice of words, details, and incidents tells the writer's attitude clearly and consistently.
 
  • Acceptable use of words, details, and incidents. Writer's attitude is inconsistent.
 
  • Simplistic or incorrect use of words, details. Writer's attitude is not clear.
   
Organization
  • The story is told by weaving incidents, description, and significance throughout.
 
  • Incidents, descriptions form an incomplete story.
 
  • Incidents and descriptions are not significant to the story.
   
Total Points
             

Rubric adapted from Rubric for Firsthand Biography at http://memorial.sdcs.k12.ca.us/LESSONS/WWII/WWIIunit/writfirst.html.

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