Beginning

1

Developing

2

Accomplished

3

Exemplary

4

Poss. Score

Diary contains five entries written with style and sufficient content to relate a series of events

The diary entries are partially complete, do not convey a sense of understanding of the time period, or event.  There is no evidence of style, or of a story being told.  

A minimum of three diary entries are contained in the final project; the diary entries are only minimally successful in use of point of view,

All Diary entries are present in the final project, but may contain limited use of style, point of view, or do not cover five consecutive days during the Civil War.

All five entries are contained in final project, are written in a constant style, and tell a complete story from the character’s point of view over the course of five days during the Civil War.

30 

Diary entries contained a minimum of ten historically accurate facts

Less than five historically accurate facts are present but unsuccessfully placed into a narrative that may or may not exist.  The events are not supported by notecards.

The student has less than 7 historically accurate facts, and has attempted to incorporate these into the narrative and may or may not have support from notecards.

The student has a minimum of ten historically accurate facts (details), and has not incorporated these facts into the narrative fluently.  Notecards supporting research are present

The student has ten historically accurate facts (details), has successfully incorporated these into the narrative of the diary entries,  and has presented these facts on notecards accompanying the final project.

30 

Diary entries show evidence of connecting to the time period through emotion

There are some reactions that may or may not be tied into the event described in the journal entries.  An attempt has been made to reflect back on the diaries activities

Some adjectives are used but are ineffectively tied into the diary entries.  There is a reflection, but it does not seem to be tied into the writing smoothly.

The reader sees minimal evidence of the character’s reactions in the diary entries.  There are some adjectives, but they are not strong or plentiful.  There is minimal evidence of character reflection in the writing.

The reader sees real and dramatic evidence of the character’s reactions to what has happened in the diary entries.  Strong adjectives are used to describe the events.  There is evidence of reflection in the writing.

 20

Diary entries show evidence of understanding different language devices

There are frequent spelling mistakes due to lack of proofreading that leave the reader confused and do not lend to the authenticity and reality of the diary entries.

The writer has attempted to create a pattern of spelling and dialect that is based more on the writer’s own knowledge than research of the time period.

There is a pattern of spelling and dialect that seems researched but is not used continuously and therefore does not lend to the authenticity and reality of the diary entries.

The writer of the diary has a definite understanding of how to use dialect and spelling conventions to convey a sense of reality and authenticity to the diary entries.

10 

The overall presentation of the diary resembles something historical

Diary entries were written yesterday and are in pencil

This diary was buried last week, but the entries are in ink.

This diary is in ink and an attempt to age the paper has been made (maybe it was found after 20 years of being buried)

This diary was found after 140 years of being buried.  The writing is in ink and the paper is worn.

10