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Comic strip rubric: grades K–2, 3–5 and 6–8

This comic strip rubric scores a story told in panels: a plot with a beginning, middle and end, panels in an order the reader can follow, speech bubbles and captions, characters that stay the same from panel to panel, and drawings that tell the story. When the comic teaches a topic, a content row scores accuracy. Grades 3–5 and 6–8 use four levels with points; K–2 uses three plain levels. Print it, or open it in the rubric maker.

Written for Peabody Teach. Checked . Free to print, copy and change.

Comic strip rubric, grades K–2

3 levels, 4 criteria, no points (a switch in the maker adds them).

Comic strip rubric (Grades K–2)Name ____________________ Date ________
CriteriaWow!YesNot yet
My storyMy comic has a beginning, middle and end.My comic tells a story.My boxes do not tell a story yet.
In orderAll my boxes are in the right order.Most of my boxes are in order.My boxes are mixed up.
Talk bubblesMy characters talk in bubbles that point to them.I have one or two talk bubbles.I do not have talk bubbles yet.
PicturesMy pictures show what happens and my characters look the same.My pictures show what happens.My pictures do not match the story.
Open in the maker
  • I can tell a story in boxes.
  • I can put my boxes in order.
  • I can write words in talk bubbles.
  • I can draw pictures that show what happens.

Comic strip rubric, grades 3–5

4 levels, 5 criteria, 24 points in all.

Comic strip rubric (Grades 3–5)Name ____________________ Date ________ Total ____ / 24
CriteriaExceeds4 pointsMeets3 pointsApproaching2 pointsBeginning1 pointScore
StoryA clear beginning, a problem, and a satisfying ending across the panels.A beginning, middle and end.The story is hard to follow or has no ending.No clear story./ 4
Panel orderPanels flow left to right, top to bottom, and each shows one moment.Panels are in order.Some panels are out of order or crowded.Panels are hard to follow./ 4
Dialogue and captionsBubbles point to the speaker, captions add what the art cannot, and words are spelled correctly.Bubbles and captions are clear.Bubbles are confusing or crowded.No dialogue or captions./ 4
CharactersCharacters look the same in every panel and show feelings with faces.Characters look the same in most panels.Characters change from panel to panel.Characters cannot be told apart./ 4
Contentcounts ×2The topic or story is shown accurately with important details.The topic is shown accurately.The topic has errors or is missing key parts.The topic is missing./ 8
Open in the maker
  • I can tell a complete story with a problem and solution.
  • I can arrange panels so the reader can follow.
  • I can use speech bubbles and captions correctly.
  • I can draw characters the reader can recognize in every panel.
  • I can show the topic accurately in my comic.

Comic strip rubric, grades 6–8

4 levels, 5 criteria, 24 points in all.

Comic strip rubric (Grades 6–8)Name ____________________ Date ________ Total ____ / 24
CriteriaExceeds4 pointsMeets3 pointsApproaching2 pointsBeginning1 pointScore
Narrative arcSetup, rising tension, a turning point and a payoff, timed across the panels.A complete arc with a clear ending.Arc is thin or the ending falls flat.No story arc is present./ 4
Panel layout and pacingPanel size, shape and number control pacing, with key moments given more space.Clear, readable panel order.Layout is uniform or confusing in places.Layout is hard to follow./ 4
Dialogue and captionsTight dialogue reveals character; captions add what the art cannot; no repeating the picture.Clear dialogue and captions.Wordy, or repeats what the art shows.Text is missing or unclear./ 4
Visual storytellingVaried angles, close-ups and expressions carry meaning without words.Some varied framing and clear expressions.Same view in every panel.Art does not tell the story./ 4
Contentcounts ×2Accurate and insightful: the comic shows a deeper understanding of the topic or text.Accurate with the key points.Some errors or missing key points.Inaccurate or off topic./ 8
Open in the maker
  • I can build a complete arc with tension and payoff.
  • I can use panel size and order to control pacing.
  • I can write tight dialogue and captions that work with the art.
  • I can use angle, framing and expression to tell the story.
  • I can represent the topic or text accurately and with insight.

When to use it

  • Retelling a book, showing a science cycle, or telling a history event in panels.
  • For students who think in pictures, as another way to show a story or a process.
  • Score drawing for clarity, not artistic talent: stick figures can earn full marks.

What to say to students

  • Plan your story first: what happens in each box?
  • Put the panels in order so the reader can follow.
  • Use speech bubbles for talking and boxes for the narrator.
  • Your characters should look the same in every panel.

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The criteria are generic and written for this site, with no standards codes, so they fit any curriculum. Open one in the maker to change a word, add a row or switch to a single-point rubric; what you change stays in your browser.