In this assessment, we’re looking only at the sort of story that follows the traditional conventions of story, whether of short story or flash length.

To be used holistically or with individual attributes

Many writing contests and book award programs use a 10-point scale, but sometimes without any clarifying labels or description. Nothing, that is, to anchor the qualitative in the quantitative.

From mechanical correctness to cohesion of thought

Although rubrics are traditionally tools used by teachers — and so perfectly aligned as tools for editors and reviewers as well — writers can benefit from studying them as well.

A rubric encapsulates degrees of mastery

When a piece of writing works well, everything coalesces into one beautiful whole. Conversely, when the writing falls short, it can sometimes be difficult to sort out from the tangle where it’s working and where not.