... a scoring rubric ^0^

 

This blog was written a long time ago by my friend yuu014, I suggest you read it first so that I won't go on elaborating how important a scoring rubric is. I am just going to show an example of one. I am not saying to do this exactly but it somehow sums up what I think judges are looking for in a contest entry.

 

1. Conforming to the boundaries
2. Creativity 
3. Execution
4. Story telling style 

 

Looks familiar? Hehe, this is skull-sama's judging criteria. He did not explain each point to us but I will try to give my thoughts on it. 

 

1. Conforming to the boundaries

This can also be stated as, "Did you follow the rules?" If the organizer gave a dozen rules, he/she expects the participants to comply. Why would those rules be listed down if its okay to break them. Why would he/she post a deadline when he/she would still accept late entries?

If he/she gave prompts, he/she expects to see them used in one way or another in the story. "Relevance to the prompt or theme" could also be under this criterion. Skull sama provided a paragraph-long quote to be incorporated in our stories, but Keeper's interpretation on the origin of the E.I. was wrong so Skull sama docked one point from my entry.

This criterion justifies the existence of the rules xDDD

 

2. Creativity

Contests are made to find the best of the best. It is a search for something fresh and exciting. Writers are creative by nature, no doubt about that. But the question is, how creative are they? How different or unique are their plots, characters... their stories?

What is a contest without a challenge? ^-^

 

3. Execution

This criterion deals with the technical aspects of writing - the plot, the conflict, character development, flow, grammar, spelling, etc. Simply, how did you tell your story? How did the story reach point B from point A? 

Once again Skull deducted points from me, two actually (OTL). He commented,  "The story progressed at a good pace but got a bit rushed towards the end."

I have two words for this: writing skill. Why would one organize a WRITING contest if they wouldn't look into this criterion? 

 

4. Story Telling Style

According to wiki, style refers to the manner in which the writer showed his/her story to the readers. It reveals the writer's personality and voice.

Was the story engaging? Did the writer sustain the reader's interest until the end? Skull sama deducted points from another participant because "the writing tends to bog the reader down."

This reminds me of "audience impact" in noon time shows xDDD I think this criterion is included for the judge's or organizer's own pleasure, lolololol. Unlike points one to three, it is based on the personal preferences of a judge as a reader.

 

 

If you modify this rubric a bit, this can also be used for graphics contests. 

 

It would also be nice if the organizers include their criteria for judging so that the readers would know what is to expect from their stories. To the participants, maybe it would be wise to take note of this four and you'll do okay even without the judging criteria posted =)

 

 

 

-Keeper