Micro Fright Scoring Rubric
Grade 8 ELA · Flash Fiction 8.5 × 11 Poster Project
Six-Word Horror Story Rubric
Total Score
/32
Student:
Date:
Period:
Assignment Target: Write an original 6-word horror story (implied plot/twist) and design an 8.5×11 poster where art and text fill the page.
4 Pts Each · 20 Pts Max
| 8th Grade Criteria | 4 · Advanced Spine-Chilling | 3 · Proficient Eerie & Effective | 2 · Developing Mild Shiver | 1 · Beginning Needs Revision | Pts |
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| Six Words & Narrative Arc | | | | | |
Strict word count; implies conflict, crisis, or an eerie plot twist.
| Exactly 6 words. Masterfully implies a complete story arc (character, conflict, and a shocking twist or horrifying climax). | Exactly 6 words. Tells a clear, coherent horror narrative with an implied problem, action, or danger. | Off by 1 word (5 or 7), OR exactly 6 words that read only as a static spooky description rather than a story. | Violates word count (<5 or >7 words) or lacks any narrative elements (no action, change, or conflict). | / 10 |
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Horror Mood & Suspense
Creates authentic dread, eerie atmosphere, or psychological chill.
| Evokes deep psychological dread or suspense; taps creatively into authentic fears with lasting emotional impact. | Consistently creepy and unsettling; establishes a clear horror atmosphere that creates genuine reader suspense. | Mildly creepy or relies on cliché tropes (basic zombies/monsters) without building genuine suspense or dread. | Does not evoke a horror mood; tone feels neutral, silly, or unaligned with the horror genre. | / 8 |
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Diction & Punctuation Craft
Connotative language; punctuation controls pacing and shock.
| Every word carries heavy emotional connotation and sensory power; punctuation (dashes, ellipses, periods) sharply controls pacing and shock. | Strong, purposeful vocabulary with minimal filler; punctuation is intentional and supports the suspenseful timing. | Contains vague words or wasted filler words; punctuation is basic and does not contribute to tension. | Careless word choice or confusing grammar/punctuation errors that disrupt reader understanding. | / 2 |
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8.5×11 Poster Space Usage
Command of page; artwork and text fill the majority of the sheet.
| Visual art and lettering dominate the entire 8.5×11 canvas; intentional hierarchy with no accidental empty margins or dead space. | Artwork and lettering occupy most of the page effectively; layout is well-proportioned, deliberate, and visually balanced. | Leaves excessive blank paper or crowds elements into one corner; falls short of a full-page design. | Tiny drawing on a mostly blank page, or messy layout with no conscious composition or size planning. | / 6 |
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Visual Synergy & Lettering
Image elevates story meaning; lettering style matches horror mood.
| Artwork and custom lettering powerfully multiply the story's chilling impact; creative harmony between image and text. | Illustration clearly reinforces the story's scary idea; lettering style is intentional, neat, and easy to read. | Image is loosely connected to words, or font styling is difficult to decipher / clashes with the horror tone. | Image is missing or unrelated; text is illegible, sloppy, or appears as an afterthought. | / 6 |
Student Story Transcript 6 Words
8th Grade Pre-Flight Check:
Exact 6-word count Implied conflict / twist Fills 8.5×11 page Punctuation has purpose
Teacher Feedback & Observations Teacher: _______________
Glow (Strong Narrative / Visual Technique):
Grow (Next Revision or Literary Goal):
Focus Skills: Diction · Pacing · Composition Evaluated on 4-Point Scale
