Grading Rubric

The grading rubric is a standardized measure of quality for stories on the Episode platform.

Our Editorial team uses it when looking at Community Authored stories in the context of considering them for partnering, featuring on a shelf, or as a contest winner.

Below is the rubric that our Review Team uses:

Are there potential Content Guideline violations present?

• Graphic violence, assault, murder, physical abuse or torture
• Rape, sexual assault or statutory rape
• Hate speech or promotes discrimination (on the basis of race, ethnic or national origin, religion, marital status, disability, gender, age, or sexual orientation)
• Promotes suicide, self harm, abuse or bullying
• Excessive alcohol, tobacco or drug use
• Promotes gambling, betting or casinos
• Quotes song lyrics (more than 5 lines or the chorus)
• Adult themes: pornographic content, sexual nudity or prostitution
• Slanders or libels a person or 3rd party
• Excessive profanity (1. more than 1 f*bomb every other scene or 2. contextual usage factors) 
• Sexually explicit phrases, scenes or content.
• Advertises products or services (website links, reviews or promotional language)
• Excessive use or promotion of firearms, explosives or ammunition
• Excessive political agenda
• Trademarks or references to corporate/business names (aka “brand names”)
• References to real persons or places (celebrities, public personalities, Disneyland, etc.)

Grading Guidelines:

Story

Grade	Score	Criteria
A	4.0	Story is well-paced, engaging, compelling and creative
B	3.0	Story has occasional pacing or plot issues
C	2.0	Story may need more work before story is featurable. Plot may be slow moving or boring.
D	1.0	Story may need dramatic overhauls

Choices

Grade	Score	Criteria
A	4.0	Interesting choices throughout.  Choices have impact on story.
B	3.0	Choices may feel less consequential.  Hair & outfit type choices + options on how to respond to other characters.
C	2.0	Choices may need more work before story is featurable. Hair and outfit choices only.
D	1.0	Choices are absent or buggy.

Visuals

Grade	Score	Criteria
A	4.0	Visual direction is smooth, polished, creative & nearly flawless. Has that WOW factor! This is cool stuff!
B	3.5	Visuals are smooth & bug free with some advanced features. Crowds, backgrounds, camera angles, sounds, believable scenes.
B	3.0	Visuals are clean with no bugs or anything that detracts from the story, but lack advanced skills or experimentations.
C	2.0	Visuals have occasional errors, overlaps, inappropriate animations, etc. Playable, but with noticeable bugs.
D	1.0	Persistent, noticeable issues with visual direction. Unplayable or hugely distracting.

Dialogue (style and spelling/grammar)

Grade	Score	Criteria
A	4.0	Dialogue is distinct and memorable. Very strong voice.  Few or no spelling/grammar errors.
B	3.0	Dialogue is fairly believable and realistic.  Minor spelling/grammar errors.
C	2.0	Dialogue is somewhat robotic.  Spelling/grammar errors impede ease of reading.
D	1.0	Lifeless and voiceless dialogue.  Spelling/grammar errors significantly inhibit story flow.