Creative rewriting assignments are a popular way to get reluctant writers excited about a story. Asking students to write an alternate ending to The Gift of the Magi invites them to play with the structure and take ownership of the text. It also raises a fair question: how do you grade creative work fairly?

Grading creative writing feels more subjective than grading analysis. There is no single correct ending, and a great one may look nothing like the original. Without clear criteria, scores can end up reflecting your mood or your taste.

The solution is to grade what the assignment is actually testing. If the goal is to show understanding of the story's characters and theme, then the ending needs to be consistent with both. Creativity matters, but it works within those boundaries.

Below is a framework for scoring these assignments so that students know what is expected and you can defend your grades.

Grade for Consistency With the Original

An alternate ending should still feel like it belongs to Della and Jim. If Della suddenly becomes cruel or Jim reacts in a way that contradicts everything we know about him, the student has lost touch with the text. Consistency shows close reading, and it is a legitimate thing to grade.

• Characters act in ways that fit their established personalities
• The new ending connects to the events that lead up to it
• The theme of sacrifice, love, or value is still present, even if reworked
• The tone and narrator style feel similar to O. Henry's, or the change is clearly intentional
• A brief author's note explains what the student changed and why

Add a Short Reflection

A half-page reflection turns a creative task into an analytical one. Students explain what they kept, what they changed, and how the new ending shifts the meaning. It gives you clear evidence of understanding and makes grading less subjective.

It also discourages last-minute work. A student who did not think about the original will struggle to write a convincing reflection.

Separate Craft From Content

Give separate scores for storytelling craft and for understanding. A student might write a vivid, funny alternate ending that ignores the story's themes. Another might write a plain ending that shows deep insight.

Splitting the rubric rows lets you reward both and gives students honest feedback. GraideMind supports multi-criteria rubrics, so you can score each row and get comments that match.

Keep the Feedback Encouraging

Creative work is personal, and harsh comments can shut students down. Start with what worked, then suggest one way to strengthen the piece. Specific praise like "the dialogue sounds like something Jim would really say" goes a long way.

Offer students the chance to share their endings aloud. Hearing classmates' versions helps them see how many valid readings a single story can support.