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 featuring on a shelf, or while judging contest finalists.
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. |