Grades 9–10 · Narrative
Your assignment
Write a narrative in which a character faces a difficult decision. Develop the tension through point of view, dialogue, pacing and reflection rather than simply telling the reader what to think.
Plan, write and revise
- Read or listen to the assignment and discuss what the reader needs to understand.
- Plan the writing with notes, sketches or an organizer.
- Create a first version. Make the content your own; use the criteria below to guide your decisions.
- Ask a peer or teacher for one specific question or suggestion. Revise your work to respond to useful feedback.
- Reread your final version and explain one change you made. Keep both versions for review.
What strong work shows
- Engage and orient the reader with a problem, situation or observation
- Establish point of view and a smooth progression of experiences
- Use dialogue, pacing, description, reflection or multiple plot lines purposefully
- Sequence events into a coherent whole and use precise sensory details
- Provide a conclusion that follows from and reflects on the narrative
Your work
Write here or work on paper. For drawings, keep the paper with your written record. Download your work before closing this page; it is not automatically saved or submitted.
Teacher scoring guide
Evaluate the work against each criterion. Use 0 for no evidence yet, 1 for partial or unclear evidence, 2 for clear evidence that meets the criterion, and 3 for effective, well-developed evidence. Record what in the work supports the rating. These ratings guide feedback; they are not standardized achievement levels or a course grade.
Apply the learner’s usual documented supports. Record help with ideas, language or transcription so the teacher can interpret the evidence. This task is not a standardized test.
| Criterion | Evidence rating |
|---|---|
| Engage and orient the reader with a problem, situation or observation | |
| Establish point of view and a smooth progression of experiences | |
| Use dialogue, pacing, description, reflection or multiple plot lines purposefully | |
| Sequence events into a coherent whole and use precise sensory details | |
| Provide a conclusion that follows from and reflects on the narrative |
Reference and limits
Teacher-scored evidence for this writing mode. One assignment is not evidence of sustained mastery, all writing standards, independent reading level or state approval. Revision is included as an instructional practice; a full crosswalk for additional process standards is not claimed.