BENCHMARK EXAM #1Creative Writing

Mr. Way

9-30-13

When is it?• Period 2: Wednesday, 10/2/13

• 10:11 – 12:11

• Period 4: Thursday 10/3/13• 10:11 – 12:11

• Period 6: Friday 10/4/13• 10:11 – 12:11

How much will it be worth?• Your grade is calculated like this:

• 40% in-class assignments (Do now, group work, characterizations, participation, etc.)

• 20% Benchmark (and other future tests)

• 40% Short Story (and other future published writing)

What material will it cover?• Topics that will be evaluated explicitly:

• Punctuation and formatting of dialogue.• Scenery description• Showing emotion through descriptive details• Writing dialogue

• Topics we’ve covered in class that will NOT be explicitly evaluated:• Plot• Voice*• Exposition• Characterization*

*Note: these topics will be implicitly included in what is evaluated, but not specifically graded.

Format of the Benchmark• Multiple Choice• Correct the punctuation and formatting of a short passage

of dialogue. • Write a short passage vividly describing the scenery in

one of four given scenarios. • Write a dialogue between two people in one of four given

scenarios.

How will the punctuation be graded?• The dialogue will contain 16 punctuation and formatting

errors. You will receive .25 points for each error you correct.

• Total of 4 points possible.

How will the scenery passage be graded?Points 1 2 3 4

Punctuation and Formatting

Rampant errors. Clearly needs to review rules.

Sloppy, with multiple errors per paragraph. Needs significant editing.

A few errors. Demonstrates firm understanding of rules.

No more than 1 error. Basically flawless.

Scenery Descriptions

Does not describe scenery or lacks sufficient length.

Outlines basic aspects of the scene.

Describes scene and appeals to multiple senses but details are largely ignored.

Vividly appeals to multiple senses through descriptive details.

Pacing Spends far too long describing scenery without anything happening in the story, or does not describe scenery.

Lumps all scenery description together, then proceeds to long stretches of action.

Alternates disjointedly between scenery description and action, but lacks fluidity.

Interweaves scenery descriptions, action, and internal monologue to depict scene without hindering narrative

How will the dialogue be graded?Score 1 2 3 4

Punctuation and Formatting

Rampant errors. Clearly needs to review rules.

Sloppy, with multiple errors per paragraph. Needs significant editing.

A few errors. Demonstrates firm understanding of rules.

No more than 1-2 errors. Basically flawless.

Pacing Characters speak unrealistically long or short periods. Feels completely staged.

Characters speak as though in normal dialogue, but little to no attention given to their expressions, movements, or interaction with environment.

Dialogue is believable and has some success including action tags and internal monologue at acceptable intervals.

Character conversation flows naturally, with characters speaking in realistic lengths; action tags and internal monologue seamlessly interspersed between quotations.

Depiction of emotions

“Ping pong” dialogue. Few or no descriptions between quotations.

Tells us the emotions of characters between quotations without showing details.

Attempts to use sensory details to describe character emotion, but some emotions remain unclear or incongruous.

Vividly demonstrates character emotion through action tags and descriptions of tone.

What if you finish early?• If you finish early, I will expect you to be working on your

short story, which will be due Sunday, at 5:00 p.m.• If you are finished with your short story, you will re-read

and edit it to make sure you meet all of the grading criteria.

• If you have finished your story and already edited and proofread it, • Study for another benchmark• Complete assignments for another class• Complete missing assignments for this class• Draw• Read a book