1. Name Date
Narrative Summary Rubric: Grades 4-6
Excellent Strong Proficient Fair Needs Beginning
Work
The summary The summary The summary The summary The summary The summary
includes only the includes includes the does not include includes only a includes only
Important most important important events, important events, all of the main few events from copied words from
Events events from the plus one or two with obvious events from the the story, or the text.
story. others. added story. reflects only a
unnecessary portion of the text.
ones.
The summary has
Paraphrasing is Paraphrasing is Paraphrasing is There are a few Serious been copied from
used smoothly used accurately, used with places where the inaccuracies the text, OR
Paraphrasing and accurately. with a bumpy spot accuracy, but paraphrased show a limited The summary is
or two. doesn’t sound ideas are not understanding of so short that there
completely accurate. the text. is no opportunity
smooth. for paraphrasing
The summary
shows a clear The summary The summary The summary The summary The ideas in the
awareness of the shows an shows an shows an shows major summary are
characters, awareness of the awareness of the awareness of the inaccuracies, simply copied
Story setting, plot, and characters, characters, characters and showing a lack of from the text.
Elements theme. Any setting, plot, and setting, and plot. setting of the awareness of
changes to the theme. Events Events from the story, but may character, setting,
order of events from the story are story are included contain minor and plot.
help to make the included in order. in order. inaccuracies.
summary clear.
An awkward Bumpy sentences Bumpy sentences
The summary is The summary is phrase or two and awkward and awkward The summary has
clearly written. clearly written. makes reading phrases are phrases make the been copied
Word Choice Words are chosen the summary a present, but the summary very directly from the
to express ideas little difficult. reader can get difficult to text.
concisely. the gist. understand.
E. Kissner 2012