rubric for creative writing assignments

Writing Rubrics [Examples, Best Practices, & Free Templates]

Writing rubrics are essential tools for teachers.

Rubrics can improve both teaching and learning. This guide will explain writing rubrics, their benefits, and how to create and use them effectively.

What Is a Writing Rubric?

Table of Contents

A writing rubric is a scoring guide used to evaluate written work.

It lists criteria and describes levels of quality from excellent to poor. Rubrics provide a standardized way to assess writing.

They make expectations clear and grading consistent.

Key Components of a Writing Rubric

• Criteria : Specific aspects of writing being evaluated (e.g., grammar, organization).
• Descriptors : Detailed descriptions of what each level of performance looks like.
• Scoring Levels : Typically, a range (e.g., 1-4 or 1-6) showing levels of mastery.

Example Breakdown

Criteria	4 (Excellent)	3 (Good)	2 (Fair)	1 (Poor)
Grammar	No errors	Few minor errors	Several errors	Many errors
Organization	Clear and logical	Mostly clear	Somewhat clear	Not clear
Content	Thorough and insightful	Good, but not thorough	Basic, lacks insight	Incomplete or off-topic

Benefits of Using Writing Rubrics

Writing rubrics offer many advantages:

• Clarity : Rubrics clarify expectations for students. They know what is required for each level of performance.
• Consistency : Rubrics standardize grading. This ensures fairness and consistency across different students and assignments.
• Feedback : Rubrics provide detailed feedback. Students understand their strengths and areas for improvement.
• Efficiency : Rubrics streamline the grading process. Teachers can evaluate work more quickly and systematically.
• Self-Assessment : Students can use rubrics to self-assess. This promotes reflection and responsibility for their learning.

Examples of Writing Rubrics

Here are some examples of writing rubrics.

Narrative Writing Rubric

Criteria	4 (Excellent)	3 (Good)	2 (Fair)	1 (Poor)
Story Elements	Well-developed	Developed, some details	Basic, missing details	Underdeveloped
Creativity	Highly creative	Creative	Some creativity	Lacks creativity
Grammar	No errors	Few minor errors	Several errors	Many errors
Organization	Clear and logical	Mostly clear	Somewhat clear	Not clear
Language Use	Rich and varied	Varied	Limited	Basic or inappropriate

Persuasive Writing Rubric

Criteria	4 (Excellent)	3 (Good)	2 (Fair)	1 (Poor)
Argument	Strong and convincing	Convincing, some gaps	Basic, lacks support	Weak or unsupported
Evidence	Strong and relevant	Relevant, but not strong	Some relevant, weak	Irrelevant or missing
Grammar	No errors	Few minor errors	Several errors	Many errors
Organization	Clear and logical	Mostly clear	Somewhat clear	Not clear
Language Use	Persuasive and engaging	Engaging	Somewhat engaging	Not engaging

Best Practices for Creating Writing Rubrics

Let’s look at some best practices for creating useful writing rubrics.

1. Define Clear Criteria

Identify specific aspects of writing to evaluate. Be clear and precise.

The criteria should reflect the key components of the writing task. For example, for a narrative essay, criteria might include plot development, character depth, and use of descriptive language.

Clear criteria help students understand what is expected and allow teachers to provide targeted feedback.

Insider Tip : Collaborate with colleagues to establish consistent criteria across grade levels. This ensures uniformity in expectations and assessments.

2. Use Detailed Descriptors

Describe what each level of performance looks like.

This ensures transparency and clarity. Avoid vague language. Instead of saying “good,” describe what “good” entails. For example, “Few minor grammatical errors that do not impede readability.”

Detailed descriptors help students gauge their performance accurately.

Insider Tip : Use student work samples to illustrate each performance level. This provides concrete examples and helps students visualize expectations.

3. Involve Students

Involve students in the rubric creation process. This increases their understanding and buy-in.

Ask for their input on what they think is important in their writing.

This collaborative approach not only demystifies the grading process but also fosters a sense of ownership and responsibility in students.

Insider Tip : Conduct a workshop where students help create a rubric for an upcoming assignment. This interactive session can clarify doubts and make students more invested in their work.

4. Align with Objectives

Ensure the rubric aligns with learning objectives. This ensures relevance and focus.

If the objective is to enhance persuasive writing skills, the rubric should emphasize argument strength, evidence quality, and persuasive techniques.

Alignment ensures that the assessment directly supports instructional goals.

Insider Tip : Regularly revisit and update rubrics to reflect changes in curriculum and instructional priorities. This keeps the rubrics relevant and effective.

5. Review and Revise

Regularly review and revise rubrics. Ensure they remain accurate and effective.

Solicit feedback from students and colleagues. Continuous improvement of rubrics ensures they remain a valuable tool for both assessment and instruction.

Insider Tip : After using a rubric, take notes on its effectiveness. Were students confused by any criteria? Did the rubric cover all necessary aspects of the assignment? Use these observations to make adjustments.

6. Be Consistent

Use the rubric consistently across all assignments.

This ensures fairness and reliability. Consistency in applying the rubric helps build trust with students and maintains the integrity of the assessment process.

Insider Tip : Develop a grading checklist to accompany the rubric. This can help ensure that all criteria are consistently applied and none are overlooked during the grading process.

7. Provide Examples

Provide examples of each performance level.

This helps students understand expectations. Use annotated examples to show why a particular piece of writing meets a specific level.

This visual and practical demonstration can be more effective than descriptions alone.

Insider Tip : Create a portfolio of exemplar works for different assignments. This can be a valuable resource for both new and experienced teachers to standardize grading.

How to Use Writing Rubrics Effectively

Here is how to use writing rubrics like the pros.

1. Introduce Rubrics Early

Introduce rubrics at the beginning of the assignment.

Explain each criterion and performance level. This upfront clarity helps students understand what is expected and guides their work from the start.

Insider Tip : Conduct a rubric walkthrough session where you discuss each part of the rubric in detail. Allow students to ask questions and provide examples to illustrate each criterion.

2. Use Rubrics as a Teaching Tool

Use rubrics to teach writing skills. Discuss what constitutes good writing and why.

This can be an opportunity to reinforce lessons on grammar, organization, and other writing components.

Insider Tip : Pair the rubric with writing workshops. Use the rubric to critique sample essays and show students how to apply the rubric to improve their own writing.

3. Provide Feedback

Use the rubric to give detailed feedback. Highlight strengths and areas for improvement.

This targeted feedback helps students understand their performance and learn how to improve.

Insider Tip : Instead of just marking scores, add comments next to each criterion on the rubric. This personalized feedback can be more impactful and instructive for students.

4. Encourage Self-Assessment

Encourage students to use rubrics to self-assess.

This promotes reflection and growth. Before submitting their work, ask students to evaluate their own writing against the rubric.

This practice fosters self-awareness and critical thinking.

Insider Tip : Incorporate self-assessment as a mandatory step in the assignment process. Provide a simplified version of the rubric for students to use during self-assessment.

5. Use Rubrics for Peer Assessment

Use rubrics for peer assessment. This allows students to learn from each other.

Peer assessments can provide new perspectives and reinforce learning.

Insider Tip : Conduct a peer assessment workshop. Train students on how to use the rubric to evaluate each other’s work constructively. This can improve the quality of peer feedback.

6. Reflect and Improve

Reflect on the effectiveness of the rubric. Make adjustments as needed for future assignments.

Continuous reflection ensures that rubrics remain relevant and effective tools for assessment and learning.

Insider Tip : After an assignment, hold a debrief session with students to gather their feedback on the rubric. Use their insights to make improvements.

Check out this video about using writing rubrics:

Common Mistakes with Writing Rubrics

Creating and using writing rubrics can be incredibly effective, but there are common mistakes that can undermine their effectiveness.

Here are some pitfalls to avoid:

1. Vague Criteria

Vague criteria can confuse students and lead to inconsistent grading.

Ensure that each criterion is specific and clearly defined. Ambiguous terms like “good” or “satisfactory” should be replaced with concrete descriptions of what those levels of performance look like.

2. Overly Complex Rubrics

While detail is important, overly complex rubrics can be overwhelming for both students and teachers.

Too many criteria and performance levels can complicate the grading process and make it difficult for students to understand what is expected.

Keep rubrics concise and focused on the most important aspects of the assignment.

3. Inconsistent Application

Applying the rubric inconsistently can lead to unfair grading.

Ensure that you apply the rubric in the same way for all students and all assignments. Consistency builds trust and ensures that grades accurately reflect student performance.

4. Ignoring Student Input

Ignoring student input when creating rubrics can result in criteria that do not align with student understanding or priorities.

Involving students in the creation process can enhance their understanding and engagement with the rubric.

5. Failing to Update Rubrics

Rubrics should evolve to reflect changes in instructional goals and student needs.

Failing to update rubrics can result in outdated criteria that no longer align with current teaching objectives.

Regularly review and revise rubrics to keep them relevant and effective.

6. Lack of Examples

Without examples, students may struggle to understand the expectations for each performance level.

Providing annotated examples of work that meets each criterion can help students visualize what is required and guide their efforts more effectively.

7. Not Providing Feedback

Rubrics should be used as a tool for feedback, not just scoring.

Simply assigning a score without providing detailed feedback can leave students unclear about their strengths and areas for improvement.

Use the rubric to give comprehensive feedback that guides students’ growth.

8. Overlooking Self-Assessment and Peer Assessment

Self-assessment and peer assessment are valuable components of the learning process.

Overlooking these opportunities can limit students’ ability to reflect on their own work and learn from their peers.

Encourage students to use the rubric for self and peer assessment to deepen their understanding and enhance their skills.

What Is a Holistic Scoring Rubric for Writing?

A holistic scoring rubric for writing is a type of rubric that evaluates a piece of writing as a whole rather than breaking it down into separate criteria

This approach provides a single overall score based on the general impression of the writing’s quality and effectiveness.

Here’s a closer look at holistic scoring rubrics.

Key Features of Holistic Scoring Rubrics

• Single Overall Score : Assigns one score based on the overall quality of the writing.
• General Criteria : Focuses on the overall effectiveness, coherence, and impact of the writing.
• Descriptors : Uses broad descriptors for each score level to capture the general characteristics of the writing.

Example Holistic Scoring Rubric

Score	Description
5	: Exceptionally clear, engaging, and well-organized writing. Demonstrates excellent control of language, grammar, and style.
4	: Clear and well-organized writing. Minor errors do not detract from the overall quality. Demonstrates good control of language and style.
3	: Satisfactory writing with some organizational issues. Contains a few errors that may distract but do not impede understanding.
2	: Basic writing that lacks organization and contains several errors. Demonstrates limited control of language and style.
1	: Unclear and poorly organized writing. Contains numerous errors that impede understanding. Demonstrates poor control of language and style.

Advantages of Holistic Scoring Rubrics

• Efficiency : Faster to use because it involves a single overall judgment rather than multiple criteria.
• Flexibility : Allows for a more intuitive assessment of the writing’s overall impact and effectiveness.
• Comprehensiveness : Captures the overall quality of writing, considering all elements together.

Disadvantages of Holistic Scoring Rubrics

• Less Detailed Feedback : Provides a general score without specific feedback on individual aspects of writing.
• Subjectivity : Can be more subjective, as it relies on the assessor’s overall impression rather than specific criteria.
• Limited Diagnostic Use : Less useful for identifying specific areas of strength and weakness for instructional purposes.

When to Use Holistic Scoring Rubrics

• Quick Assessments : When a quick, overall evaluation is needed.
• Standardized Testing : Often used in standardized testing scenarios where consistency and efficiency are priorities.
• Initial Impressions : Useful for providing an initial overall impression before more detailed analysis.

Free Writing Rubric Templates

Feel free to use the following writing rubric templates.

You can easily copy and paste them into a Word Document. Please do credit this website on any written, printed, or published use.

Otherwise, go wild.

Criteria	4 (Excellent)	3 (Good)	2 (Fair)	1 (Poor)
	Well-developed, engaging, and clear plot, characters, and setting.	Developed plot, characters, and setting with some details missing.	Basic plot, characters, and setting; lacks details.	Underdeveloped plot, characters, and setting.
	Highly creative and original.	Creative with some originality.	Some creativity but lacks originality.	Lacks creativity and originality.
	No grammatical errors.	Few minor grammatical errors.	Several grammatical errors.	Numerous grammatical errors.
	Clear and logical structure.	Mostly clear structure.	Somewhat clear structure.	Lacks clear structure.
	Rich, varied, and appropriate language.	Varied and appropriate language.	Limited language variety.	Basic or inappropriate language.

Criteria	4 (Excellent)	3 (Good)	2 (Fair)	1 (Poor)
	Strong, clear, and convincing argument.	Convincing argument with minor gaps.	Basic argument; lacks strong support.	Weak or unsupported argument.
	Strong, relevant, and well-integrated evidence.	Relevant evidence but not strong.	Some relevant evidence, but weak.	Irrelevant or missing evidence.
	No grammatical errors.	Few minor grammatical errors.	Several grammatical errors.	Numerous grammatical errors.
	Clear and logical structure.	Mostly clear structure.	Somewhat clear structure.	Lacks clear structure.
	Persuasive and engaging language.	Engaging language.	Somewhat engaging language.	Not engaging language.

Expository Writing Rubric

Criteria	4 (Excellent)	3 (Good)	2 (Fair)	1 (Poor)
	Thorough, accurate, and insightful content.	Accurate content with some details missing.	Basic content; lacks depth.	Incomplete or inaccurate content.
	Clear and concise explanations.	Mostly clear explanations.	Somewhat clear explanations.	Unclear explanations.
	No grammatical errors.	Few minor grammatical errors.	Several grammatical errors.	Numerous grammatical errors.
	Clear and logical structure.	Mostly clear structure.	Somewhat clear structure.	Lacks clear structure.
	Precise and appropriate language.	Appropriate language.	Limited language variety.	Basic or inappropriate language.

Descriptive Writing Rubric

Criteria	4 (Excellent)	3 (Good)	2 (Fair)	1 (Poor)
	Vivid and detailed imagery that engages the senses.	Detailed imagery with minor gaps.	Basic imagery; lacks vivid details.	Little to no imagery.
	Highly creative and original descriptions.	Creative with some originality.	Some creativity but lacks originality.	Lacks creativity and originality.
	No grammatical errors.	Few minor grammatical errors.	Several grammatical errors.	Numerous grammatical errors.
	Clear and logical structure.	Mostly clear structure.	Somewhat clear structure.	Lacks clear structure.
	Rich, varied, and appropriate language.	Varied and appropriate language.	Limited language variety.	Basic or inappropriate language.

Analytical Writing Rubric

Criteria	4 (Excellent)	3 (Good)	2 (Fair)	1 (Poor)
	Insightful, thorough, and well-supported analysis.	Good analysis with some depth.	Basic analysis; lacks depth.	Weak or unsupported analysis.
	Strong, relevant, and well-integrated evidence.	Relevant evidence but not strong.	Some relevant evidence, but weak.	Irrelevant or missing evidence.
	No grammatical errors.	Few minor grammatical errors.	Several grammatical errors.	Numerous grammatical errors.
	Clear and logical structure.	Mostly clear structure.	Somewhat clear structure.	Lacks clear structure.
	Precise and appropriate language.	Appropriate language.	Limited language variety.	Basic or inappropriate language.

Final Thoughts: Writing Rubrics

I have a lot more resources for teaching on this site.

Check out some of the blog posts I’ve listed below. I think you might enjoy them.

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• 100 Best B Words For Kids (+How to Teach Them)
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Rubric Best Practices, Examples, and Templates

A rubric is a scoring tool that identifies the different criteria relevant to an assignment, assessment, or learning outcome and states the possible levels of achievement in a specific, clear, and objective way. Use rubrics to assess project-based student work including essays, group projects, creative endeavors, and oral presentations.

Rubrics can help instructors communicate expectations to students and assess student work fairly, consistently and efficiently. Rubrics can provide students with informative feedback on their strengths and weaknesses so that they can reflect on their performance and work on areas that need improvement.

How to Get Started

Best practices, moodle how-to guides.

• Workshop Recording (Spring 2024)
• Workshop Registration

Step 1: Analyze the assignment

The first step in the rubric creation process is to analyze the assignment or assessment for which you are creating a rubric. To do this, consider the following questions:

• What is the purpose of the assignment and your feedback? What do you want students to demonstrate through the completion of this assignment (i.e. what are the learning objectives measured by it)? Is it a summative assessment, or will students use the feedback to create an improved product?
• Does the assignment break down into different or smaller tasks? Are these tasks equally important as the main assignment?
• What would an “excellent” assignment look like? An “acceptable” assignment? One that still needs major work?
• How detailed do you want the feedback you give students to be? Do you want/need to give them a grade?

Step 2: Decide what kind of rubric you will use

Types of rubrics: holistic, analytic/descriptive, single-point

Holistic Rubric. A holistic rubric includes all the criteria (such as clarity, organization, mechanics, etc.) to be considered together and included in a single evaluation. With a holistic rubric, the rater or grader assigns a single score based on an overall judgment of the student’s work, using descriptions of each performance level to assign the score.

Advantages of holistic rubrics:

• Can p lace an emphasis on what learners can demonstrate rather than what they cannot
• Save grader time by minimizing the number of evaluations to be made for each student
• Can be used consistently across raters, provided they have all been trained

Disadvantages of holistic rubrics:

• Provide less specific feedback than analytic/descriptive rubrics
• Can be difficult to choose a score when a student’s work is at varying levels across the criteria
• Any weighting of c riteria cannot be indicated in the rubric

Analytic/Descriptive Rubric . An analytic or descriptive rubric often takes the form of a table with the criteria listed in the left column and with levels of performance listed across the top row. Each cell contains a description of what the specified criterion looks like at a given level of performance. Each of the criteria is scored individually.

Advantages of analytic rubrics:

• Provide detailed feedback on areas of strength or weakness
• Each criterion can be weighted to reflect its relative importance

Disadvantages of analytic rubrics:

• More time-consuming to create and use than a holistic rubric
• May not be used consistently across raters unless the cells are well defined
• May result in giving less personalized feedback

Single-Point Rubric . A single-point rubric is breaks down the components of an assignment into different criteria, but instead of describing different levels of performance, only the “proficient” level is described. Feedback space is provided for instructors to give individualized comments to help students improve and/or show where they excelled beyond the proficiency descriptors.

Advantages of single-point rubrics:

• Easier to create than an analytic/descriptive rubric
• Perhaps more likely that students will read the descriptors
• Areas of concern and excellence are open-ended
• May removes a focus on the grade/points
• May increase student creativity in project-based assignments

Disadvantage of analytic rubrics: Requires more work for instructors writing feedback

Step 3 (Optional): Look for templates and examples.

You might Google, “Rubric for persuasive essay at the college level” and see if there are any publicly available examples to start from. Ask your colleagues if they have used a rubric for a similar assignment. Some examples are also available at the end of this article. These rubrics can be a great starting point for you, but consider steps 3, 4, and 5 below to ensure that the rubric matches your assignment description, learning objectives and expectations.

Step 4: Define the assignment criteria

Make a list of the knowledge and skills are you measuring with the assignment/assessment Refer to your stated learning objectives, the assignment instructions, past examples of student work, etc. for help.

  Helpful strategies for defining grading criteria:

• Collaborate with co-instructors, teaching assistants, and other colleagues
• Brainstorm and discuss with students
• Can they be observed and measured?
• Are they important and essential?
• Are they distinct from other criteria?
• Are they phrased in precise, unambiguous language?
• Revise the criteria as needed
• Consider whether some are more important than others, and how you will weight them.

Step 5: Design the rating scale

Most ratings scales include between 3 and 5 levels. Consider the following questions when designing your rating scale:

• Given what students are able to demonstrate in this assignment/assessment, what are the possible levels of achievement?
• How many levels would you like to include (more levels means more detailed descriptions)
• Will you use numbers and/or descriptive labels for each level of performance? (for example 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 and/or Exceeds expectations, Accomplished, Proficient, Developing, Beginning, etc.)
• Don’t use too many columns, and recognize that some criteria can have more columns that others . The rubric needs to be comprehensible and organized. Pick the right amount of columns so that the criteria flow logically and naturally across levels.

Step 6: Write descriptions for each level of the rating scale

Artificial Intelligence tools like Chat GPT have proven to be useful tools for creating a rubric. You will want to engineer your prompt that you provide the AI assistant to ensure you get what you want. For example, you might provide the assignment description, the criteria you feel are important, and the number of levels of performance you want in your prompt. Use the results as a starting point, and adjust the descriptions as needed.

Building a rubric from scratch

For a single-point rubric , describe what would be considered “proficient,” i.e. B-level work, and provide that description. You might also include suggestions for students outside of the actual rubric about how they might surpass proficient-level work.

For analytic and holistic rubrics , c reate statements of expected performance at each level of the rubric.

• Consider what descriptor is appropriate for each criteria, e.g., presence vs absence, complete vs incomplete, many vs none, major vs minor, consistent vs inconsistent, always vs never. If you have an indicator described in one level, it will need to be described in each level.
• You might start with the top/exemplary level. What does it look like when a student has achieved excellence for each/every criterion? Then, look at the “bottom” level. What does it look like when a student has not achieved the learning goals in any way? Then, complete the in-between levels.
• For an analytic rubric , do this for each particular criterion of the rubric so that every cell in the table is filled. These descriptions help students understand your expectations and their performance in regard to those expectations.

Well-written descriptions:

• Describe observable and measurable behavior
• Use parallel language across the scale
• Indicate the degree to which the standards are met

Step 7: Create your rubric

Create your rubric in a table or spreadsheet in Word, Google Docs, Sheets, etc., and then transfer it by typing it into Moodle. You can also use online tools to create the rubric, but you will still have to type the criteria, indicators, levels, etc., into Moodle. Rubric creators: Rubistar , iRubric

Step 8: Pilot-test your rubric

Prior to implementing your rubric on a live course, obtain feedback from:

• Teacher assistants

Try out your new rubric on a sample of student work. After you pilot-test your rubric, analyze the results to consider its effectiveness and revise accordingly.

• Limit the rubric to a single page for reading and grading ease
• Use parallel language . Use similar language and syntax/wording from column to column. Make sure that the rubric can be easily read from left to right or vice versa.
• Use student-friendly language . Make sure the language is learning-level appropriate. If you use academic language or concepts, you will need to teach those concepts.
• Share and discuss the rubric with your students . Students should understand that the rubric is there to help them learn, reflect, and self-assess. If students use a rubric, they will understand the expectations and their relevance to learning.
• Consider scalability and reusability of rubrics. Create rubric templates that you can alter as needed for multiple assignments.
• Maximize the descriptiveness of your language. Avoid words like “good” and “excellent.” For example, instead of saying, “uses excellent sources,” you might describe what makes a resource excellent so that students will know. You might also consider reducing the reliance on quantity, such as a number of allowable misspelled words. Focus instead, for example, on how distracting any spelling errors are.

Example of an analytic rubric for a final paper

	Above Average (4)	Sufficient (3)	Developing (2)	Needs improvement (1)
(Thesis supported by relevant information and ideas	The central purpose of the student work is clear and supporting ideas always are always well-focused. Details are relevant, enrich the work.	The central purpose of the student work is clear and ideas are almost always focused in a way that supports the thesis. Relevant details illustrate the author’s ideas.	The central purpose of the student work is identified. Ideas are mostly focused in a way that supports the thesis.	The purpose of the student work is not well-defined. A number of central ideas do not support the thesis. Thoughts appear disconnected.
(Sequencing of elements/ ideas)	Information and ideas are presented in a logical sequence which flows naturally and is engaging to the audience.	Information and ideas are presented in a logical sequence which is followed by the reader with little or no difficulty.	Information and ideas are presented in an order that the audience can mostly follow.	Information and ideas are poorly sequenced. The audience has difficulty following the thread of thought.
(Correctness of grammar and spelling)	Minimal to no distracting errors in grammar and spelling.	The readability of the work is only slightly interrupted by spelling and/or grammatical errors.	Grammatical and/or spelling errors distract from the work.	The readability of the work is seriously hampered by spelling and/or grammatical errors.

Example of a holistic rubric for a final paper

The audience is able to easily identify the central message of the work and is engaged by the paper’s clear focus and relevant details. Information is presented logically and naturally. There are minimal to no distracting errors in grammar and spelling. : The audience is easily able to identify the focus of the student work which is supported by relevant ideas and supporting details. Information is presented in a logical manner that is easily followed. The readability of the work is only slightly interrupted by errors. : The audience can identify the central purpose of the student work without little difficulty and supporting ideas are present and clear. The information is presented in an orderly fashion that can be followed with little difficulty. Grammatical and spelling errors distract from the work. : The audience cannot clearly or easily identify the central ideas or purpose of the student work. Information is presented in a disorganized fashion causing the audience to have difficulty following the author’s ideas. The readability of the work is seriously hampered by errors.

Single-Point Rubric

Advanced (evidence of exceeding standards)	Criteria described a proficient level	Concerns (things that need work)
	Criteria #1: Description reflecting achievement of proficient level of performance
	Criteria #2: Description reflecting achievement of proficient level of performance
	Criteria #3: Description reflecting achievement of proficient level of performance
	Criteria #4: Description reflecting achievement of proficient level of performance
90-100 points	80-90 points	<80 points

More examples:

• Single Point Rubric Template ( variation )
• Analytic Rubric Template make a copy to edit
• A Rubric for Rubrics
• Bank of Online Discussion Rubrics in different formats
• Mathematical Presentations Descriptive Rubric
• Math Proof Assessment Rubric
• Kansas State Sample Rubrics
• Design Single Point Rubric

Technology Tools: Rubrics in Moodle

• Moodle Docs: Rubrics
• Moodle Docs: Grading Guide (use for single-point rubrics)

Tools with rubrics (other than Moodle)

• Google Assignments
• Turnitin Assignments: Rubric or Grading Form

Other resources

• DePaul University (n.d.). Rubrics .
• Gonzalez, J. (2014). Know your terms: Holistic, Analytic, and Single-Point Rubrics . Cult of Pedagogy.
• Goodrich, H. (1996). Understanding rubrics . Teaching for Authentic Student Performance, 54 (4), 14-17. Retrieved from   
• Miller, A. (2012). Tame the beast: tips for designing and using rubrics.
• Ragupathi, K., Lee, A. (2020). Beyond Fairness and Consistency in Grading: The Role of Rubrics in Higher Education. In: Sanger, C., Gleason, N. (eds) Diversity and Inclusion in Global Higher Education. Palgrave Macmillan, Singapore.

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Creative Writing Example Rubric

	5	4	3	2	1
Students will write well organized, cohesive papers.	Work functions well as a whole. Piece has a clear flow and a sense of purpose.	Response has either a strong lead, developed body, or satisfying conclusion, but not all three.	Uneven. Awkward or missing transitions. Weakly unified.	Wanders. Repetitive. Inconclusive.	Incoherent and fragmentary. Student didn't write enough to judge.
Students will use appropriate voice and tone in writing.	Voice is confident and appropriate. Consistently engaging. Active, not passive voice. Natural. A strong sense of both authorship and audience.	The speaker sounds as if he or she cares too little or too much about the topic. Or the voice fades in and out. Occasionally passive.	Tone is okay. But the paper could have been written by anyone. Apathetic or artificial. Overly formal or informal.	"I just want to get this over with."	Mechanical and cognitive problems so basic that tone doesn't even figure in. Student didn't write enough to judge.
Students will demonstrate original, creative writing.	Excellent use of imagery; similes; vivid, detailed descriptions; figurative language; puns; wordplay; metaphor; irony. Surprises the reader with unusual associations, breaks conventions, thwarts expectations.	Some startling images, a few stunning associative leaps with a weak conclusion or lesser, more ordinary images and comparisons. Inconsistent.	Sentimental, predictable, or cliché.	Borrows ideas or images from popular culture in an unreflective way.	Cursory response. Obvious lack of motivation and/or poor understanding of the assignment.

Rubric is a modification of one presented by: University Community Links (n.d.). Hot writing rubric. Retrieved August 19, 2008 from http://www.uclinks.org/reference/evaluation/HOT.html

Of Rubrics and Writing

Just another academic classroom sites | lake superior college sites site, another rubric for creative assignments: short stories.

I have used a holistic, comment-based rubric for my short story assignment in Creative Writing for several years. After reading all this information about rubric, I decided to revise it into a point-based, more analytic rubric. I also changed the point values because the short story ends up being one of the longest assignments in the class, so I changed it from 100 to 150 points (I plan to decrease the points in their literary critique since that is a shorter overall assignment). I hope this new rubric makes the expectations of the assignment clearer to students and make grading more objective and clear.

Here is my original rubric (with examples of comments and a grade):

Short story rubric  

Character development	Are the characters well developed through a variety of character techniques (such as dialogue, using gestures, observations, etc.)?	ok	Good character but I wanted to know more about her—and see her more in action. So much of the story is summary that we only get general info on her.
Plot	Is the plot interesting and original? Is the plot condensed enough to develop in the length of the story?	ok	Good idea for plot—just need more scenes and less summary to make the story more effective.
Story beginning	Does the story start with action or dialogue instead of summary?	Needs work	It’s most effective to start with dialogue and/or action. You begin more with an introduction or summary.  I would suggest just starting with the first scene—let the background  of the characters come out through the plot.
Scenes	Does the story contain scenes that let the characters act and move and not just a summary of events or time periods?	Needs work	Good at the start but try to let the action and dialogue show things—try not to explain everything. Also you need more scenes—to really move the action along and help the readers get into the story and characters.
Grammar and style	Does the story contain college-level writing and an interesting writing style? Are there too many grammar, spelling, and punctuation errors?	Needs work	Avoid using second person (you) in fiction.  Also some comma splices, apostrophe errors, run-ons, and other errors are getting in the way of your ideas.
Dialogue	Is the dialogue in the story natural and realistic? Does it help develop characters, action, and scenes?	ok	Use a comma between speaker and dialogue. Just need more dialogue in scenes.
Setting and detail	Are the setting and details in the story well developed and unique?	Good	Great detail about the city but need more details in some places–scenes would help with that.
Overall comments	Great start here–see comments above for ways to improve the story.
Grade	84/100	B

Here is the first draft of my new rubric:

Short Story Assignment  

             Write a short story (possibly using a character/characters you have developed in class assignments (week three discussion assignment). Think about all the elements of fiction which the fiction lessons and your textbook discuss.  Try to write a unique story in your own writing style.  Try not to fall back on common plots, stereotypical characters, etc.

Length:  6-25 pages (1200-6000 words)

Format: Double-spaced, in RTF format.

                Name the file as:  yourlastname_story  (for example: swing_story)

                Make sure to have title page with name, name of story, date, etc.

                Make sure to start a new paragraph when a new character speaks.

                Make sure to use correct capitalization, spelling, and grammar. See this website for grammar review if needed: http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/

Plot   50 points	□   Plot is original and surprising (had tension), but not shocking. It engages audience throughout story. □   The plot is condensed enough to develop in a short story (time is condensed) □   Beginning of the story engages audience and begins with action or a scene and not summary or background. □   Ending is satisfying even if it’s abrupt or doesn’t wrap up all ideas. □   Story meets word requirements.	□   Plot is interesting but may contain some confusion, clichéd ideas, or vagueness. □   The plot is fairy condensed but may span too much time or have too much history or summary. □   Beginning of the story is interesting but may have too much summary and not enough action. □   Ending is ok but could be more satisfying or original. □   Story meets word requirements, but needs to be longer, ideas need to developed further.	□    Plot is not engaging, doesn’t contain tension, or is clichéd. □   The plot tries to cover too much time or is confusing to follow. □   Beginning of the story has too much summary and background—needs a scene and action. □   Ending is clichéd, shocking, or unbelievable. □   Story does not meet minimum word requirements.
Character development   20 points	□   Characters, especially main character, is developed well through multiple techniques (dialogue gestures, description, action, etc). □   Characters are unique and not stereotypes or one dimensional □   Character relationships are well developed and interesting. □   Character makes some significant change in the story.	□   Characters, especially main character, is developed well but needs more showing and less telling. Need to have the character in action more. □   Characters are interesting but may be a bit stereotypical or one dimensional at times. □   Character relationships are interesting but may need more development. □   Character makes some changes but they might not be enough or realistic based on the plot of the story.	□    Characters, especially main character, are not developed enough. Need action, dialogue, background, etc.   □   Characters are stereotypical or one dimensional. □   Character relationships are not developed or unrealistic. □   Character does not make any significant or realistic changes throughout the story.
Scenes   20 points	□   Multiples scenes are used in the story to show and not tell the story □   Scenes are in a clear and logical sequence even if flashbacks are used □   Scenes are interesting and effective	□   Story has some scenes that develop ideas, but may need more scenes and less summary. □   Scenes are in a clear order but may need some reorganization. □   Scenes are good but may need more action or tension	□    Story is mostly summary and needs scene to develop characters, tension, and ideas. □   Scenes are not in a clear order and are confusing. □   Scenes are unrealistic or uninteresting or unoriginal.
Dialogue   15 points	□   Dialogue is natural and not stilted or awkward □   Dialogue is effectively used to develop characters, give character background, and develop tension. □   Dialogue uses correct quotation mark placement and  is indented with each new speaker	□   Dialogue original but may be stilted or inconsistent at time (need to use contractions, for example) □   Dialogue gives some character and plot details but could be used more to develop those traits. □   Dialogue uses mostly correct format, but may need some corrections like a comma between speaker and quotation or correct indentation.	□   Dialogue is not used enough or is stilted and/or inconsistent (need to use contractions, for example or character’s voice changes) □   Dialogue needs to be used to develop characters and details more effectively. □   Dialogue does not follow correct format (indent with each speaker, comma between speaker and quote, correct quotation marks, etc.)
Grammar and style   20 points	□   The story is written using college-level writing skills in a professional manner. □   The story does not contain many errors in spelling, sentences errors, pronoun use, apostrophes, or other errors. □   Style of the story is consistent and engaging and not wordy or overly passive. □    Story uses appropriate and consistent point of view.	□   The story is written at college level but may have some inconsistencies. □   The story contains some errors in spelling, sentences errors, pronoun use, apostrophes, or other errors. □   Style of the story is mostly consistent and engaging but may have some wordiness, vagueness, etc. □   Story uses appropriate point of view but may shift once or twice.	□   The story is not written at college level. □   The story contains many errors in spelling, sentences errors, pronoun use, apostrophes, or other errors. □   Style of the story is inconsistent and engaging contains too much wordiness, vagueness, etc. □   Story shifts point of view multiple times and for no logical reason.
Setting and detail   15 points	□    Setting in the story is clear, unique, and well developed. □   Setting is an important part of the plot or tension in the story. □    Details in the story such as colors, clothes, music, objects, are unique and used to develop characters and plot.	□   Setting in the story is clear but could developed further. □   Setting could be used more as part of the plot or tension. □   Some of the details in the story such as colors, clothes, music, objects, are unique but could be used more to develop characters and plot.	□   Setting is vague or unclear. □    Setting has no relationship to the plot or characters. □   Story needs more details like colors, clothes, music, cars, landscape, etc. to develop characters and plot.
Paper format   10 points	□   Story was submitted on time in the dropbox with correct file name. □   Story follows paper format (double-spaced, one in margins). □   Story has unique title and correct heading.	□   Story was submitted on time in the dropbox with correct file name. □   Story follows paper format (double-spaced, one in margins) with one or two minor errors. Story has a title and heading but may have some errors.	□   Story was not submitted on time in the dropbox and or has an incorrect file name. □   Story does not follows paper format (double-spaced, one in margins). □   Story has a not title and/or no heading.
Overall comments
Points	/ Out of 150 points	Grade:

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Crafting Effective Rubrics for Creative Assignments

Developing effective rubrics for creative assignments isn't just about ticking boxes or applying standard criteria. It's about diving into the vibrant world of creativity and understanding how to objectively assess artistic expression and innovation. Whether you're a teacher in music, art, or writing, this guide will walk you through constructing rubrics that respect and measure creativity, ensuring your students not only meet but also exceed expectations with clarity and inspiration.

Understanding the Importance of Creative Rubrics

Rubrics are essential tools in education, often used to assess student work across a range of subjects, including the creative arts. They provide a structured framework that clearly outlines the expectations for assignments, making the grading process transparent and consistent. This is particularly vital in creative disciplines, where subjective judgment can often cloud the assessment process.

Why Creative Assignments Need Specialized Rubrics

Creative tasks differ significantly from traditional academic assignments because they involve personal expression, innovation, and originality. Standard rubrics might fail to capture these unique aspects as they tend to focus more on conventional metrics like correctness and completeness. Creative rubrics, on the other hand, are designed to value the originality and expressive qualities of the work, recognizing that creativity can manifest in varied and unexpected ways.

For instance, a creative rubric for an art project might prioritize elements such as innovation, aesthetic appeal, and emotional impact, alongside more traditional criteria like technique and composition​.

Unique Challenges in Evaluating Creativity

Evaluating creativity poses unique challenges because it requires assessors to recognize and reward originality and inventive thinking. This can be subjective, as what seems creative to one person might not seem so to another. Effective creative rubrics help mitigate these challenges by setting clear, specific criteria that focus on the creative process and its outcomes, rather than just the final product​​.

Benefits of Using Rubrics in Creative Disciplines

Rubrics bring numerous advantages to the educational process, particularly in creative fields:

• Increased Transparency and Consistency: Rubrics lay out explicit criteria and performance levels, which helps students understand what is expected of them and how they can meet or exceed these expectations​​.
• Support for Critical Thinking: By detailing specific criteria for creativity, rubrics encourage students to think critically about how they approach their creative work. This can spur deeper engagement with the material and promote higher levels of creative expression​ ( ASCD )​.
• Enhanced Feedback: Rubrics provide a framework for detailed, constructive feedback. Students receive insights not just into what they did well, but also how they can improve, which is crucial for artistic development​ ( Cornell Teaching )​.

In summary, rubrics tailored for creative disciplines play a crucial role in educational settings. They provide a balanced framework that respects and nurtures creativity while maintaining academic rigor and fairness in assessment. This enables educators to effectively guide and evaluate student progress in creative fields.

Designing Your Creative Rubric

Creating a rubric for creative assignments involves several strategic steps to ensure it not only assesses student work effectively but also encourages creativity and growth. Here’s how you can design a rubric that respects and enhances the creative process while maintaining clarity and objectivity in evaluation.

Steps to Construct a Rubric for Creative Disciplines

• Define Clear Learning Objectives : Start by outlining what you expect students to learn or demonstrate through their creative work. These objectives should be specific, measurable, and aligned with the overall goals of the assignment​ ( MIT Teaching + Learning Lab )​.
• Identify Relevant Criteria : Decide on the criteria or components of the assignment that you will assess. These should directly reflect the learning objectives and could include aspects like originality, technical skills, aesthetic quality, and emotional impact. It’s essential to choose criteria that capture the essence of creativity in the discipline​​​.
• Determine Performance Levels : Establish distinct levels of achievement for each criterion. Commonly, rubrics feature three to five levels—such as beginning, developing, proficient, and exemplary—to describe varying degrees of mastery or accomplishment​​.
• Develop Descriptors for Each Level : Write detailed descriptions for what each level of performance looks like for every criterion. These descriptors should be specific, observable, and measurable, avoiding vague language to ensure that expectations are clear and understandable​ ( MIT Teaching + Learning Lab )​​.
• Review and Refine the Rubric : Before finalizing the rubric, it’s helpful to review it with colleagues or test it on sample assignments. This can help you refine the language, ensure alignment with learning objectives, and confirm that the rubric is clear and functional for both assessment and student feedback.

Importance of Choosing the Right Criteria and Performance Levels

Selecting appropriate criteria and defining precise performance levels are crucial because they directly influence how students approach and execute their creative projects. Well-chosen criteria ensure that students are not just being creative but are also meeting the educational goals of the assignment. Performance levels that are clearly delineated help students understand exactly where they stand and what they need to improve, which is particularly important in subjective fields like creative arts​ ( MIT Teaching + Learning Lab )​.

Tips on Using Language That Encourages Creative Freedom

• Encourage Exploration : Use language that prompts students to explore and experiment beyond basic requirements. Phrases like "explore diverse perspectives" or "experiment with different techniques" can open up creative possibilities.
• Focus on Growth : Frame feedback in a way that emphasizes progress and potential for further development. For instance, instead of saying a student "failed to meet criteria," you might say "approaching criteria, with room to expand on creative execution."
• Be Specific and Constructive : Provide clear, constructive feedback that students can use to improve their work. Instead of vague compliments or criticisms, offer specific suggestions that guide students on how to enhance their creative output​​.

By carefully constructing a rubric with these elements, educators can create a valuable tool that not only assesses creativity fairly and effectively but also inspires students to push their creative boundaries.

Examples of Rubrics Across Creative Disciplines

Rubrics play a crucial role in educational settings, particularly in creative disciplines where the assessment of subjective elements like artistry and originality is essential. This section explores examples of rubrics used in music, art, and writing, and discusses how these rubrics are tailored to meet the specific needs of each discipline while balancing structure with creative freedom.

Art Rubrics

In the world of art education, rubrics serve as a roadmap for assessing students' creative outputs, considering not only the final product but also the creative process and technical skills. Art rubrics often include criteria such as creativity, craftsmanship, and effort, which help in evaluating the students' ability to use various materials and techniques effectively. For example, teachers might assess the neatness of artwork, the originality of the design, and the students' engagement with the creative process throughout the project's duration. This approach encourages students to exceed mere replication of techniques and embrace their unique artistic expressions.

Writing Rubrics

For writing, rubrics are designed to evaluate components such as clarity of argument, use of evidence, organization, and grammatical accuracy. They can range from holistic rubrics, which provide a single cumulative score based on an overall impression of the work, to more detailed analytic rubrics that assess specific elements of the writing process. For instance, a writing rubric might describe levels of achievement for criteria like thesis strength, coherence of arguments, and depth of analysis, thus guiding students on how to enhance their writing skills​ ( CITL )​.

Music Rubrics

Music educators use rubrics to assess performances and compositions. These rubrics may evaluate rhythm accuracy, pitch precision, expression, and interpretation of pieces. In music education, it is vital to balance technical assessment with creative expression, allowing students to understand both the mechanics of music and the artistic expression involved. The rubric might include criteria for technical skills, such as scale accuracy, as well as for more subjective measures like emotional conveyance and dynamic variation.

Customization and Balancing Creativity

One of the key aspects of creating effective rubrics in creative disciplines is the ability to customize them according to the specific needs of the discipline and the particular objectives of the assignment. Educators often modify rubrics to highlight the creative process over the final product, encouraging students to explore different methods and ideas. This customization supports critical thinking and innovation, essential skills in any creative field.

Moreover, while rubrics provide a structured assessment framework, they also need to leave room for personal expression and originality. It's about finding that sweet spot where students are guided by clear expectations but not restricted in their creative endeavors. This balance ensures that rubrics enhance the learning experience rather than confining it, fostering an environment where creativity can thrive.

In summary, well-designed rubrics in creative disciplines are indispensable tools that not only streamline the assessment process but also enhance educational outcomes by clearly defining expectations and encouraging creative growth.

Implementing and Adjusting Your Rubric

Introducing and integrating rubrics effectively into creative assignments can significantly enhance both teaching and learning experiences. Adjusting them based on feedback ensures that they remain relevant and useful over time. Here's how you can go about this vital process.

Guidelines for Introducing Rubrics to Students

Start by clearly defining the purpose and goals of the rubric. Explain how it aligns with the learning outcomes of the course and how it will be used to evaluate their work. It's beneficial to go through the rubric criteria with your students, discussing each criterion and what different levels of performance look like. This helps demystify the grading process and aligns student efforts with the expected outcomes.

Integrating Rubrics into Assignments

When introducing rubrics, provide them at the start of the assignment. This practice helps students use the rubric as a guide throughout their creative process. Encourage students to refer back to the rubric during their project development to self-assess their progress and make adjustments before final submission. This approach not only fosters a deeper understanding of the criteria but also empowers students to take charge of their learning​ ( Berkeley Teaching )​.

Refining Rubrics Based on Feedback

Feedback is crucial for refining rubrics. After an assignment, gather feedback from students on the clarity and utility of the rubric. Did it help them understand what was expected? Were there any areas of confusion that could be clarified? Similarly, peer feedback among educators who use the rubric can provide insights into its effectiveness and areas for improvement. Adjust the rubric based on this feedback to better meet students' needs and enhance its educational impact( Center for Teaching and Learning )​.

The Dynamic Nature of Rubrics

Rubrics should not be static; they need to evolve based on student performance and changing educational goals. Regularly review and adjust your rubric to reflect new learning objectives, changes in course content, or shifts in pedagogical priorities. This might involve adding new criteria, adjusting performance levels, or refining descriptors to be more precise and actionable​ ( Berkeley Teaching )​​​.

Effective rubrics are tools for both assessment and teaching. They clarify expectations, guide student learning, streamline grading processes, and enhance feedback quality. By thoughtfully integrating and continuously refining rubrics, educators can significantly improve the learning journey for their students in creative disciplines.

Arthur Wang

Mastering scaffolding techniques for diverse age groups and skill levels, embracing practicality: how hands-on learning enhances creative education.

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iRubric: Creative Writing Rubric

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Rubric Code: By Ready to use Public Rubric Subject:    Type:    Grade Levels: 6-8, 9-12

Creative Writing Assignment

• creative writing, poetry, prose

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Creating Grading Rubrics for Writing Assignments

Pamela Flash

Establishing and discussing specific characteristics of success when an assignment is first distributed benefits both students and instructors. Creating grading rubrics, or grids, is a typical way to do this. Having received the criteria with an assignment, students are able to write toward specific goals. Later, when they look at their grades, they can see at a glance the strengths and weaknesses of their work. Instructors are able to grade according to customized descriptive criteria that reflect the intention of a specific assignment and won't change according to the hour of night or the amount of effort a particular student is suspected of expending. Rubrics can also save on grading time, as they allow instructors to detail comments on one or two elements and simply indicate ratings on others. Finally, grading rubrics are invaluable in courses that involve more than one instructor, as in team-taught or multi-sectioned courses, because they ensure that all instructors are measuring work by the same standards.

Step One: Identifying Criteria

The first step involved in creating assignment-specific rubrics is revisiting an assignment's intended outcomes. These objectives can be considered, prioritized, and reworded to create a rubric's criteria. If, for example, an instructor assigns a literature review hoping that students might become skilled at reducing complex texts down to pithy summaries, "concise summary" can be one of the grading criteria included in the rubric. Care must be taken to keep the list of criteria from becoming unwieldy; ten ranked items is usually the upper limit. In addition, to be usefully translated and used by students, criteria should be specific and descriptive. Criteria like "clear," "organized," and "interesting" don't mean much to students when they sit down to revise.

Step Two: Weighing Criteria

When criteria have been identified, decisions are made about their varying importance. Say, for example, that an essay is assigned by a geography professor who intends for students to become skilled at creating concrete and accurate observation-based descriptions, practiced in analyzing their data and in devising a land-use proposal, and able to create correctly-formatted, error-free prose. When creating a grading rubric for that assignment, the instructor will need to decide on the relative weight of each criterion. Is the error-free prose objective equal to the analysis objective?

Step Three: Describing Levels of Success

When the criteria have been set, decisions must be made about an assessment scale. Many instructors like to limit this section of the rubric to a three-point scale ("weak," "satisfactory," "strong"). Others may prefer to break this down into five or six levels, adding categories like "needs extensive revision," or "outstanding."

Step Four: Creating and Distributing the Grid

When the specific criteria and levels of success have been named and ranked, they can be sorted into a table (see samples below) and distributed with the assignment. Note that spaces are created for comments on each item and again at the end.

Insights and ideas that are germane to the assignment
Address of target audience
Choices and uses of evidence
Logic of organization and use of prescribed formats
Integration of source materials
Grammar and mechanics
Comments:
Final Grade ____

1=not present   2=needs extensive revision   3=satisfactory   4=strong   5=outstanding

Insights and ideas	1	2	3	4	5
Address of target audience	1	2	3	4	5
Organization and use of prescribed formats	1	2	3	4	5
Integration of source materials	1	2	3	4	5
Grammar and mechanics	1	2	3	4	5
Comments:
Final Grade ____

• African American & African Studies
• Agronomy and Plant Genetics
• Animal Science
• Anthropology
• Applied Economics
• Art History
• Carlson School of Management
• Chemical Engineering and Materials Science
• Civil, Environmental, and Geo- Engineering
• College of Biological Sciences
• Communication Studies
• Computer Science & Engineering
• Construction Management
• Curriculum and Instruction
• Dental Hygiene
• Apparel Design
• Graphic Design
• Product Design
• Retail Merchandising
• Earth Sciences
• Electrical and Computer Engineering
• Environmental Sciences, Policy and Management
• Family Social Science
• Fisheries, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology
• Food Science and Nutrition
• Geography, Environment and Society
• German, Nordic, Slavic & Dutch
• Health Services Management
• Horticultural Science
• Hubbard School of Journalism and Mass Communication
• Industrial and Systems Engineering
• Information Technology Infrastructure
• Mathematics
• Mechanical Engineering
• Medical Laboratory Sciences
• Mortuary Science
• Organizational Leadership, Policy, and Development
• Political Science
• School of Architecture
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• What is ChatGPT and how does it work?
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Eberly Center

Teaching excellence & educational innovation, grading and performance rubrics, what are rubrics.

A rubric is a scoring tool that explicitly represents the performance expectations for an assignment or piece of work. A rubric divides the assigned work into component parts and provides clear descriptions of the characteristics of the work associated with each component, at varying levels of mastery. Rubrics can be used for a wide array of assignments: papers, projects, oral presentations, artistic performances, group projects, etc. Rubrics can be used as scoring or grading guides, to provide formative feedback to support and guide ongoing learning efforts, or both.

Advantages of Using Rubrics

Using a rubric provides several advantages to both instructors and students. Grading according to an explicit and descriptive set of criteria that is designed to reflect the weighted importance of the objectives of the assignment helps ensure that the instructor’s grading standards don’t change over time. Grading consistency is difficult to maintain over time because of fatigue, shifting standards based on prior experience, or intrusion of other criteria. Furthermore, rubrics can reduce the time spent grading by reducing uncertainty and by allowing instructors to refer to the rubric description associated with a score rather than having to write long comments. Finally, grading rubrics are invaluable in large courses that have multiple graders (other instructors, teaching assistants, etc.) because they can help ensure consistency across graders and reduce the systematic bias that can be introduced between graders.

Used more formatively, rubrics can help instructors get a clearer picture of the strengths and weaknesses of their class. By recording the component scores and tallying up the number of students scoring below an acceptable level on each component, instructors can identify those skills or concepts that need more instructional time and student effort.

Grading rubrics are also valuable to students. A rubric can help instructors communicate to students the specific requirements and acceptable performance standards of an assignment. When rubrics are given to students with the assignment description, they can help students monitor and assess their progress as they work toward clearly indicated goals. When assignments are scored and returned with the rubric, students can more easily recognize the strengths and weaknesses of their work and direct their efforts accordingly.

Examples of Rubrics

Here are links to a diverse set of rubrics designed by Carnegie Mellon faculty and faculty at other institutions. Although your particular field of study and type of assessment activity may not be represented currently, viewing a rubric that is designed for a similar activity may provide you with ideas on how to divide your task into components and how to describe the varying levels of mastery.

Paper Assignments

• Example 1: Philosophy Paper This rubric was designed for student papers in a range of philosophy courses, CMU.
• Example 2: Psychology Assignment Short, concept application homework assignment in cognitive psychology, CMU.
• Example 3: Anthropology Writing Assignments This rubric was designed for a series of short writing assignments in anthropology, CMU.
• Example 4: History Research Paper . This rubric was designed for essays and research papers in history, CMU.
• Example 1: Capstone Project in Design This rubric describes the components and standard of performance from the research phase to the final presentation for a senior capstone project in the School of Design, CMU.
• Example 2: Engineering Design Project This rubric describes performance standards on three aspects of a team project: Research and Design, Communication, and Team Work.

Oral Presentations

• Example 1: Oral Exam This rubric describes a set of components and standards for assessing performance on an oral exam in an upper-division history course, CMU.
• Example 2: Oral Communication
• Example 3: Group Presentations This rubric describes a set of components and standards for assessing group presentations in a history course, CMU.

Class Participation/Contributions

• Example 1: Discussion Class This rubric assesses the quality of student contributions to class discussions. This is appropriate for an undergraduate-level course, CMU.
• Example 2: Advanced Seminar This rubric is designed for assessing discussion performance in an advanced undergraduate or graduate seminar. 

Mastering the Art: Navigating the Creative Writing Rubric

My name is Debbie, and I am passionate about developing a love for the written word and planting a seed that will grow into a powerful voice that can inspire many.

Understanding the Creative Writing Rubric: A Step-by-Step Guide

Decoding the criteria: unraveling the secrets of the rubric, skills and techniques: honing your craft for rubric success, skills and techniques to achieve rubric success, crafting a captivating narrative: engaging your reader from start to finish, embracing authenticity: channeling your unique voice in writing, polishing your prose: mastering grammar, spelling, and punctuation, mastering grammar, spelling, and punctuation, breaking boundaries: experimenting with structure and style in creative writing, taking feedback to improve: using the rubric as a tool for growth, frequently asked questions, the way forward.

When it comes to creative writing, it can sometimes feel like navigating a vast, uncharted territory. How can you be sure if your piece is hitting all the right marks? Enter the creative writing rubric, a powerful tool that can help you understand and evaluate your work objectively. In this step-by-step guide, we will demystify the world of rubrics and unravel their importance in assessing your creative writing.

Step 1: Familiarize Yourself with the Rubric Components

• Structure: The rubric will assess how well your writing flows , including elements such as introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion.
• Language and Vocabulary: This component evaluates your mastery of language, including grammar, spelling, and the use of diverse vocabulary.
• Imagery and Descriptions: Here, the rubric considers your ability to paint vivid pictures with words and create a sensory experience for the reader.
• Pacing and Tension: This aspect appraises the way you build suspense, create momentum, and maintain the reader’s interest.

Step 2: Break Down Each Component

Now that you’re familiar with the rubric’s elements, take the time to analyze each component individually, understanding what its criteria entails. For example, under Structure, you might consider whether your piece has a strong and engaging opening, clear progression of ideas, and a satisfying resolution.

By breaking down each component, you will gain a deeper understanding of what is expected in your creative writing and be better equipped to assign yourself an accurate score. Remember, the rubric is not meant to stifle your creativity, but rather to provide guidance and ensure your work meets certain standards.

Understanding the criteria of a rubric is like deciphering a secret code. It may seem complex at first glance, but with a little guidance, you can unravel its mysteries and excel in your assignments. Here, we will demystify the secrets of the rubric, ensuring you have a clear roadmap to success.

To begin with, pay close attention to the key terms in the rubric. These are the secret clues that will help you understand what is expected of you. Look for words like “analyze,” “synthesize,” “evaluate,” or “compare and contrast.” Understanding these action words will guide you in tailoring your work to meet the requirements. Next, examine the weightage assigned to each criterion. Some criteria may carry more points than others, indicating their relative importance.

• Break down the rubric into smaller tasks to make it less overwhelming.
• Understand the scoring system, whether it’s numerical or descriptive.
• Use examples from rubric criteria to guide your research and writing.

Keep in mind that rubrics are designed to provide clarity and fairness in grading. Use the rubric as a checklist while working on your assignment. Regularly refer back to it to ensure you are meeting all the requirements. Remember, each criterion is like a piece of the puzzle that fits together to create a comprehensive project.

When it comes to ensuring success in the world of rubrics, honing your craft is essential. Here are some valuable skills and techniques that can help you excel and achieve that coveted top score:

• Clear Communication: One of the most important skills to develop is the ability to clearly communicate your ideas. Effective communication not only helps you express your thoughts but also ensures that your work is easily understood and meets the rubric criteria.
• Research and Analysis: Conducting thorough research and analyzing your findings is key to producing high-quality work. Dive deep into your subject matter, explore various perspectives, and back your arguments with credible sources. This will demonstrate your dedication to the topic and enable you to make informed decisions throughout your project.

Additionally, practicing the following techniques can further enhance your chances of achieving rubric success:

• Time Management: Effectively managing your time ensures that you stay organized and complete all required tasks within the given timeframe. Prioritize your work, create a schedule, and allocate specific periods for research, drafting, proofreading, and revision. This will help you avoid last-minute stress and submit a polished final product.
• Creative Problem-Solving: Facing challenges is inevitable, but skillful problem-solving can set you apart. Embrace creativity and think outside the box when confronted with obstacles. This ability to find innovative solutions will impress evaluators and make your project stand out among the rest.

By developing these skills and mastering these techniques, you will be well on your way to achieving rubric success. Remember, practice makes perfect! As you continue to refine these abilities, your projects will consistently meet and exceed the expectations outlined in any rubric.

When it comes to writing a captivating narrative, the goal is to draw your readers in and keep them hooked until the very end. A captivating narrative has the power to transport readers to different worlds, make them feel deeply connected to the characters, and leave a lasting impression. Here are some key tips and techniques to help you engage your readers from start to finish:

• Create relatable characters: Characters are at the heart of any narrative. Develop complex and relatable characters that your readers can connect with emotionally. Give them unique personalities, desires, and flaws that make them feel real.
• Set the stage: Transport your readers to the world of your story by vividly describing the setting. Engage their senses with rich descriptions of sights, sounds, smells, and textures. Whether it’s a bustling city, a mysterious island, or a quaint countryside, make sure your readers can visualize it in their minds.
• Build suspense: Keep your readers on the edge of their seats by introducing tension and conflict. Create obstacles and challenges for your characters to overcome, and gradually escalate the stakes. This will keep your readers invested and eager to find out what happens next.

Remember, captivating narratives are crafted through careful attention to detail, evocative descriptions, and well-developed characters. By implementing these tips, you’ll be able to engage your readers from the very first sentence and hold their attention throughout your entire narrative. Happy writing!

When it comes to writing, there is a magical power in embracing your authenticity and channeling your unique voice. Writing in your own voice not only allows you to create a deep connection with your readers but also sets you apart from other writers. Embracing authenticity means being true to yourself, expressing your thoughts, and conveying your emotions in a way that reflects who you are.

So, how can you harness this power and infuse your writing with your unique voice? The key lies in the following steps:

• Know yourself: Take the time to explore your strengths, weaknesses, and passions. Understanding who you are as a person will allow you to reflect your authentic self in your writing.
• Be honest and vulnerable: Authenticity requires honesty and vulnerability. Don’t shy away from sharing personal experiences, opinions, or emotions. Your readers will appreciate your openness and relate to your genuine voice.
• Find your writing style: Experiment with different writing styles and techniques until you discover the one that truly resonates with you. Whether it’s casual and conversational or formal and eloquent, incorporating your unique writing style will make your voice shine.

Writing is a craft, and just like any other skill, it requires practice and attention to detail. In this section, we’ll explore some essential tips and techniques to sharpen your writing by improving your grasp of grammar, spelling, and punctuation.

To begin with, let’s not forget the fundamental importance of grammar. Proper grammar ensures that ideas are conveyed accurately and clearly, providing a solid foundation for effective communication. Remember to:

• Use subject-verb agreement: Agreement between subjects and verbs is vital to maintain grammatical structure. Be mindful of singular and plural forms and ensure consistency throughout your writing.
• Avoid run-on sentences: Run-on sentences can make your writing confusing and challenging to read. Split long sentences into shorter ones using appropriate punctuation such as commas, semicolons, or periods.
• Eliminate wordiness: Cut out unnecessary words and phrases that don’t add value to your writing. Be concise and focus on expressing your ideas clearly without excessive verbiage.

Next, let’s tackle the often perplexing realm of spelling. Proper spelling not only makes your writing appear polished but also ensures that your message is conveyed accurately. Consider these useful spelling tips:

• Proofread carefully: Always proofread your work to catch any spelling mistakes that might have slipped through the cracks. Use spell-check tools, but keep in mind that they aren’t foolproof and may miss certain errors.
• Create a personal spelling list: Keep track of words you commonly misspell and review them regularly. By familiarizing yourself with these words, you’ll be more likely to spell them correctly in your writing.
• Consult reliable resources: When in doubt, consult trusted dictionaries or grammar guides to confirm the correct spelling of a word. These references will provide the guidance you need to enhance your spelling accuracy.

When it comes to creative writing, there are no limits to the ways you can tell a story. Breaking boundaries in terms of structure and style allows writers to push the boundaries of traditional storytelling and explore new realms of creativity. By experimenting with different techniques, writers can create unique and captivating pieces that stand out from the crowd.

One of the ways writers can break free from the conventional structure is by playing with the chronology of their story. By using flashbacks, flash-forwards, or even non-linear narratives, writers can create a sense of suspense and surprise for their readers. This unconventional approach enables them to engage readers’ curiosity and make them question what will happen next. Additionally, experimenting with structure can involve using unconventional paragraph breaks or employing poetic techniques, such as enjambment or caesura, to add a rhythmic and musical quality to the prose.

Feedback is a valuable asset for growth and learning. Whether you’re a student, a professional, or an artist, feedback helps us understand our strengths and weaknesses, allowing us to enhance our skills and improve our work. One effective tool for utilizing feedback is the rubric. A rubric is like a roadmap that provides clear guidelines and expectations, making it easier to assess performance objectively.

How can you make the most out of a rubric to enhance your growth? Firstly, carefully read and familiarize yourself with the rubric criteria. Take note of the different aspects being assessed, such as content, structure, creativity, or technical skills, depending on your field. Use this as an opportunity to evaluate your past work honestly and identify areas for improvement. Additionally, pay close attention to the descriptors for each level of performance. It’s crucial to understand what constitutes excellence, proficiency, and basic competence according to the rubric. Determine where you currently stand and set well-defined goals that align with your desired level of achievement.

Q: Why is it important to understand the creative writing rubric? A: Understanding the creative writing rubric is important because it allows you to grasp what is expected of you in terms of writing quality and content. It provides a clear framework for assessing your work and helps you meet the desired criteria.

Q: What are the key components of a creative writing rubric? A: A typical creative writing rubric usually includes criteria such as language use, organization, creativity, cohesion, and content knowledge. These elements are evaluated to determine the overall quality of your writing piece.

Q: How can I improve my language use in the context of creative writing? A: To enhance your language use, focus on using varied vocabulary, incorporating descriptive details, and fine-tuning your grammar and punctuation. Make sure your language evokes emotion and creates vivid imagery for the reader.

Q: How important is organization in creative writing? A: Organization is essential in creative writing to ensure that your ideas flow logically and coherently. Pay attention to your introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion, ensuring they are well-structured and transition seamlessly.

Q: How can I demonstrate creativity in my writing? A: To showcase your creativity, think outside the box and experiment with different writing techniques. Use imaginative language, employ unique metaphors or similes, and develop original plotlines and characters that captivate the reader’s attention.

Q: What does cohesion mean in the context of creative writing? A: Cohesion refers to the seamless flow of ideas throughout your writing. Achieve cohesion by using transitional phrases, maintaining consistency in tone and style, and ensuring that each sentence and paragraph supports the main theme or message.

Q: What role does content knowledge play in the creative writing rubric? A: Content knowledge indicates your understanding of the subject matter and the ability to communicate it effectively. Conduct thorough research if necessary and demonstrate your expertise through well-developed ideas, accurate information, and engaging storytelling.

Q: How can I use the creative writing rubric to evaluate my own work? A: First, familiarize yourself with the rubric and its criteria. Then, objectively assess your piece considering each component individually. Identify areas that need improvement and revise accordingly. By doing so, you can align your work with the rubric’s expectations and enhance the overall quality of your writing.

Q: Are there any resources available to help me understand and use the creative writing rubric effectively? A: Yes, several writing resources offer explanations and examples of creative writing rubrics. Additionally, your teacher or instructor may provide guidance or sample essays that align with the rubric criteria. Don’t hesitate to reach out for assistance or clarification.

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Rubric Design

Main navigation, articulating your assessment values.

Reading, commenting on, and then assigning a grade to a piece of student writing requires intense attention and difficult judgment calls. Some faculty dread “the stack.” Students may share the faculty’s dim view of writing assessment, perceiving it as highly subjective. They wonder why one faculty member values evidence and correctness before all else, while another seeks a vaguely defined originality.

Writing rubrics can help address the concerns of both faculty and students by making writing assessment more efficient, consistent, and public. Whether it is called a grading rubric, a grading sheet, or a scoring guide, a writing assignment rubric lists criteria by which the writing is graded.

Why create a writing rubric?

• It makes your tacit rhetorical knowledge explicit
• It articulates community- and discipline-specific standards of excellence
• It links the grade you give the assignment to the criteria
• It can make your grading more efficient, consistent, and fair as you can read and comment with your criteria in mind
• It can help you reverse engineer your course: once you have the rubrics created, you can align your readings, activities, and lectures with the rubrics to set your students up for success
• It can help your students produce writing that you look forward to reading

How to create a writing rubric

Create a rubric at the same time you create the assignment. It will help you explain to the students what your goals are for the assignment.

• Consider your purpose: do you need a rubric that addresses the standards for all the writing in the course? Or do you need to address the writing requirements and standards for just one assignment?  Task-specific rubrics are written to help teachers assess individual assignments or genres, whereas generic rubrics are written to help teachers assess multiple assignments.
• Begin by listing the important qualities of the writing that will be produced in response to a particular assignment. It may be helpful to have several examples of excellent versions of the assignment in front of you: what writing elements do they all have in common? Among other things, these may include features of the argument, such as a main claim or thesis; use and presentation of sources, including visuals; and formatting guidelines such as the requirement of a works cited.
• Then consider how the criteria will be weighted in grading. Perhaps all criteria are equally important, or perhaps there are two or three that all students must achieve to earn a passing grade. Decide what best fits the class and requirements of the assignment.

Consider involving students in Steps 2 and 3. A class session devoted to developing a rubric can provoke many important discussions about the ways the features of the language serve the purpose of the writing. And when students themselves work to describe the writing they are expected to produce, they are more likely to achieve it.

At this point, you will need to decide if you want to create a holistic or an analytic rubric. There is much debate about these two approaches to assessment.

Comparing Holistic and Analytic Rubrics

Holistic scoring .

Holistic scoring aims to rate overall proficiency in a given student writing sample. It is often used in large-scale writing program assessment and impromptu classroom writing for diagnostic purposes.

General tenets to holistic scoring:

• Responding to drafts is part of evaluation
• Responses do not focus on grammar and mechanics during drafting and there is little correction
• Marginal comments are kept to 2-3 per page with summative comments at end
• End commentary attends to students’ overall performance across learning objectives as articulated in the assignment
• Response language aims to foster students’ self-assessment

Holistic rubrics emphasize what students do well and generally increase efficiency; they may also be more valid because scoring includes authentic, personal reaction of the reader. But holistic sores won’t tell a student how they’ve progressed relative to previous assignments and may be rater-dependent, reducing reliability. (For a summary of advantages and disadvantages of holistic scoring, see Becker, 2011, p. 116.)

Here is an example of a partial holistic rubric:

Summary meets all the criteria. The writer understands the article thoroughly. The main points in the article appear in the summary with all main points proportionately developed. The summary should be as comprehensive as possible and should be as comprehensive as possible and should read smoothly, with appropriate transitions between ideas. Sentences should be clear, without vagueness or ambiguity and without grammatical or mechanical errors.

A complete holistic rubric for a research paper (authored by Jonah Willihnganz) can be  downloaded here.

Analytic Scoring

Analytic scoring makes explicit the contribution to the final grade of each element of writing. For example, an instructor may choose to give 30 points for an essay whose ideas are sufficiently complex, that marshals good reasons in support of a thesis, and whose argument is logical; and 20 points for well-constructed sentences and careful copy editing.

General tenets to analytic scoring:

• Reflect emphases in your teaching and communicate the learning goals for the course
• Emphasize student performance across criterion, which are established as central to the assignment in advance, usually on an assignment sheet
• Typically take a quantitative approach, providing a scaled set of points for each criterion
• Make the analytic framework available to students before they write  

Advantages of an analytic rubric include ease of training raters and improved reliability. Meanwhile, writers often can more easily diagnose the strengths and weaknesses of their work. But analytic rubrics can be time-consuming to produce, and raters may judge the writing holistically anyway. Moreover, many readers believe that writing traits cannot be separated. (For a summary of the advantages and disadvantages of analytic scoring, see Becker, 2011, p. 115.)

For example, a partial analytic rubric for a single trait, “addresses a significant issue”:

• Excellent: Elegantly establishes the current problem, why it matters, to whom
• Above Average: Identifies the problem; explains why it matters and to whom
• Competent: Describes topic but relevance unclear or cursory
• Developing: Unclear issue and relevance

A  complete analytic rubric for a research paper can be downloaded here.  In WIM courses, this language should be revised to name specific disciplinary conventions.

Whichever type of rubric you write, your goal is to avoid pushing students into prescriptive formulas and limiting thinking (e.g., “each paragraph has five sentences”). By carefully describing the writing you want to read, you give students a clear target, and, as Ed White puts it, “describe the ongoing work of the class” (75).

Writing rubrics contribute meaningfully to the teaching of writing. Think of them as a coaching aide. In class and in conferences, you can use the language of the rubric to help you move past generic statements about what makes good writing good to statements about what constitutes success on the assignment and in the genre or discourse community. The rubric articulates what you are asking students to produce on the page; once that work is accomplished, you can turn your attention to explaining how students can achieve it.

Works Cited

Becker, Anthony.  “Examining Rubrics Used to Measure Writing Performance in U.S. Intensive English Programs.”   The CATESOL Journal  22.1 (2010/2011):113-30. Web.

White, Edward M.  Teaching and Assessing Writing . Proquest Info and Learning, 1985. Print.

Further Resources

CCCC Committee on Assessment. “Writing Assessment: A Position Statement.” November 2006 (Revised March 2009). Conference on College Composition and Communication. Web.

Gallagher, Chris W. “Assess Locally, Validate Globally: Heuristics for Validating Local Writing Assessments.” Writing Program Administration 34.1 (2010): 10-32. Web.

Huot, Brian.  (Re)Articulating Writing Assessment for Teaching and Learning.  Logan: Utah State UP, 2002. Print.

Kelly-Reilly, Diane, and Peggy O’Neil, eds. Journal of Writing Assessment. Web.

McKee, Heidi A., and Dànielle Nicole DeVoss DeVoss, Eds. Digital Writing Assessment & Evaluation. Logan, UT: Computers and Composition Digital Press/Utah State University Press, 2013. Web.

O’Neill, Peggy, Cindy Moore, and Brian Huot.  A Guide to College Writing Assessment . Logan: Utah State UP, 2009. Print.

Sommers, Nancy.  Responding to Student Writers . Macmillan Higher Education, 2013.

Straub, Richard. “Responding, Really Responding to Other Students’ Writing.” The Subject is Writing: Essays by Teachers and Students. Ed. Wendy Bishop. Boynton/Cook, 1999. Web.

White, Edward M., and Cassie A. Wright.  Assigning, Responding, Evaluating: A Writing Teacher’s Guide . 5th ed. Bedford/St. Martin’s, 2015. Print.

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15 Helpful Scoring Rubric Examples for All Grades and Subjects

In the end, they actually make grading easier.

When it comes to student assessment and evaluation, there are a lot of methods to consider. In some cases, testing is the best way to assess a student’s knowledge, and the answers are either right or wrong. But often, assessing a student’s performance is much less clear-cut. In these situations, a scoring rubric is often the way to go, especially if you’re using standards-based grading . Here’s what you need to know about this useful tool, along with lots of rubric examples to get you started.

What is a scoring rubric?

In the United States, a rubric is a guide that lays out the performance expectations for an assignment. It helps students understand what’s required of them, and guides teachers through the evaluation process. (Note that in other countries, the term “rubric” may instead refer to the set of instructions at the beginning of an exam. To avoid confusion, some people use the term “scoring rubric” instead.)

A rubric generally has three parts:

• Performance criteria: These are the various aspects on which the assignment will be evaluated. They should align with the desired learning outcomes for the assignment.
• Rating scale: This could be a number system (often 1 to 4) or words like “exceeds expectations, meets expectations, below expectations,” etc.
• Indicators: These describe the qualities needed to earn a specific rating for each of the performance criteria. The level of detail may vary depending on the assignment and the purpose of the rubric itself.

Rubrics take more time to develop up front, but they help ensure more consistent assessment, especially when the skills being assessed are more subjective. A well-developed rubric can actually save teachers a lot of time when it comes to grading. What’s more, sharing your scoring rubric with students in advance often helps improve performance . This way, students have a clear picture of what’s expected of them and what they need to do to achieve a specific grade or performance rating.

Learn more about why and how to use a rubric here.

Types of Rubric

There are three basic rubric categories, each with its own purpose.

Holistic Rubric

Source: Cambrian College

This type of rubric combines all the scoring criteria in a single scale. They’re quick to create and use, but they have drawbacks. If a student’s work spans different levels, it can be difficult to decide which score to assign. They also make it harder to provide feedback on specific aspects.

Traditional letter grades are a type of holistic rubric. So are the popular “hamburger rubric” and “ cupcake rubric ” examples. Learn more about holistic rubrics here.

Analytic Rubric

Source: University of Nebraska

Analytic rubrics are much more complex and generally take a great deal more time up front to design. They include specific details of the expected learning outcomes, and descriptions of what criteria are required to meet various performance ratings in each. Each rating is assigned a point value, and the total number of points earned determines the overall grade for the assignment.

Though they’re more time-intensive to create, analytic rubrics actually save time while grading. Teachers can simply circle or highlight any relevant phrases in each rating, and add a comment or two if needed. They also help ensure consistency in grading, and make it much easier for students to understand what’s expected of them.

Learn more about analytic rubrics here.

Developmental Rubric

Source: Deb’s Data Digest

A developmental rubric is a type of analytic rubric, but it’s used to assess progress along the way rather than determining a final score on an assignment. The details in these rubrics help students understand their achievements, as well as highlight the specific skills they still need to improve.

Developmental rubrics are essentially a subset of analytic rubrics. They leave off the point values, though, and focus instead on giving feedback using the criteria and indicators of performance.

Learn how to use developmental rubrics here.

Ready to create your own rubrics? Find general tips on designing rubrics here. Then, check out these examples across all grades and subjects to inspire you.

Elementary School Rubric Examples

These elementary school rubric examples come from real teachers who use them with their students. Adapt them to fit your needs and grade level.

Reading Fluency Rubric

You can use this one as an analytic rubric by counting up points to earn a final score, or just to provide developmental feedback. There’s a second rubric page available specifically to assess prosody (reading with expression).

Learn more: Teacher Thrive

Reading Comprehension Rubric

The nice thing about this rubric is that you can use it at any grade level, for any text. If you like this style, you can get a reading fluency rubric here too.

Learn more: Pawprints Resource Center

Written Response Rubric

Rubrics aren’t just for huge projects. They can also help kids work on very specific skills, like this one for improving written responses on assessments.

Learn more: Dianna Radcliffe: Teaching Upper Elementary and More

Interactive Notebook Rubric

If you use interactive notebooks as a learning tool , this rubric can help kids stay on track and meet your expectations.

Learn more: Classroom Nook

Project Rubric

Use this simple rubric as it is, or tweak it to include more specific indicators for the project you have in mind.

Learn more: Tales of a Title One Teacher

Behavior Rubric

Developmental rubrics are perfect for assessing behavior and helping students identify opportunities for improvement. Send these home regularly to keep parents in the loop.

Learn more: Teachers.net Gazette

Middle School Rubric Examples

In middle school, use rubrics to offer detailed feedback on projects, presentations, and more. Be sure to share them with students in advance, and encourage them to use them as they work so they’ll know if they’re meeting expectations.

Argumentative Writing Rubric

Argumentative writing is a part of language arts, social studies, science, and more. That makes this rubric especially useful.

Learn more: Dr. Caitlyn Tucker

Role-Play Rubric

Role-plays can be really useful when teaching social and critical thinking skills, but it’s hard to assess them. Try a rubric like this one to evaluate and provide useful feedback.

Learn more: A Question of Influence

Art Project Rubric

Art is one of those subjects where grading can feel very subjective. Bring some objectivity to the process with a rubric like this.

Source: Art Ed Guru

Diorama Project Rubric

You can use diorama projects in almost any subject, and they’re a great chance to encourage creativity. Simplify the grading process and help kids know how to make their projects shine with this scoring rubric.

Learn more: Historyourstory.com

Oral Presentation Rubric

Rubrics are terrific for grading presentations, since you can include a variety of skills and other criteria. Consider letting students use a rubric like this to offer peer feedback too.

Learn more: Bright Hub Education

High School Rubric Examples

In high school, it’s important to include your grading rubrics when you give assignments like presentations, research projects, or essays. Kids who go on to college will definitely encounter rubrics, so helping them become familiar with them now will help in the future.

Presentation Rubric

Analyze a student’s presentation both for content and communication skills with a rubric like this one. If needed, create a separate one for content knowledge with even more criteria and indicators.

Learn more: Michael A. Pena Jr.

Debate Rubric

Debate is a valuable learning tool that encourages critical thinking and oral communication skills. This rubric can help you assess those skills objectively.

Learn more: Education World

Project-Based Learning Rubric

Implementing project-based learning can be time-intensive, but the payoffs are worth it. Try this rubric to make student expectations clear and end-of-project assessment easier.

Learn more: Free Technology for Teachers

100-Point Essay Rubric

Need an easy way to convert a scoring rubric to a letter grade? This example for essay writing earns students a final score out of 100 points.

Learn more: Learn for Your Life

Drama Performance Rubric

If you’re unsure how to grade a student’s participation and performance in drama class, consider this example. It offers lots of objective criteria and indicators to evaluate.

Learn more: Chase March

How do you use rubrics in your classroom? Come share your thoughts and exchange ideas in the WeAreTeachers HELPLINE group on Facebook .

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3 Types of Writing Rubrics for Effective Assessments

There are so many different writing rubrics out there and it may be difficult to find the right one. Below you will find a guide with 3 types of effective writing rubrics. Choosing the right one depends on the writing genre and your needs for the assessment.

Student-Friendly Rubrics

There are two ways to think about student-friendly rubrics. The first way is to use a rubric that students can complete as a self-assessment. The second way is to use a rubric that is completed by the teacher but is easy for students to understand. These rubrics are often based on the standards but shown in a different way. Instead of writing the actual standard on the rubric, include a one or two-word category.

See the example below of a third grade informative writing rubric. The first rubric uses the words introduction, content, linking words, closing, and mechanics for the categories. The second rubric lists each standard that goes with those categories. As you can see, the first option covers the same information but uses fewer words and is much easier for students to use and understand.

When do you use student-friendly rubrics? These are great for students to assess themselves. The student and teacher can fill out the rubric separately and then meet for a conference to discuss any differences. This same strategy can also be done with two students, but instead of a conference, they will meet to edit and revise their work. Another option is for teachers to fill out the writing rubric and hand it back to students with feedback. The student-friendly rubrics are easy for kids to understand and are still aligned with the standards.

Teacher-Friendly Rubrics

Teacher-friendly rubrics list each standard and use more details in the descriptions. This helps teachers know what to look for when assessing a writing piece. It will be very clear from the rubric whether or not the student is meeting or exceeding the standard. These writing rubrics are also quick and easy for teachers to use but may be more difficult for students to understand.

The examples below are standards based teacher-friendly rubrics. On the left side, you will see each Common Core Standard. The descriptions on the right side match each standard accordingly. These rubrics are used for assessing narrative writing in 1st grade, 2nd grade, 3rd grade, 4th grade, and 5th grade.

When do you use teacher-friendly rubrics? These are ideal when a teacher needs to get an accurate assessment for recording grades or writing report cards. They can choose whether or not to hand these rubrics back to students or use them for their records. Teacher-friendly rubrics are also helpful to show parents, especially at conferences.

Time-Saving Rubrics

Time-saving rubrics are a combination of student-friendly and teacher-friendly rubrics. These are standards based and list each standard on the left side. The difference is that instead of a description there is a number in each box such as 1, 2, 3, or 4. These numbers tell whether or not the student is meeting the standard.

1= needs support

2 = approaching standard, 3 = meets standard, 4 = exceeds standard.

The benefits of these rubrics are that they save time and energy by easily circling the number for each standard. It is quick for teachers to use but also easy for students to understand. Some teachers may also choose to include a section for the total score and comments depending on their needs. Check out some of the examples below for opinion writing.

When do you use time-saving rubrics? Well of course these are helpful when teachers want to save time. The best part is the rubrics are still standards based but also very easy for students and parents to understand. Use these anytime!

Writing Rubrics Conclusion

I hope you have found these 3 types of writing rubrics helpful and will utilize them with your class. Think about what your goal is with the assessment and choose the best rubric for both you and your students. You may find that a mix of all three is beneficial throughout the school year.

Writing Rubrics by Grade Level

Grab these standards based writing rubrics. Each grade level includes 9 rubrics in 3 different options . Choose from student-friendly, teacher-friendly, and time-saving rubrics. These are ideal for assessing narrative, opinion, and informative pieces. Click each grade level below to learn more. Also, check out this Monthly Writing Prompts blog post for more resources and ideas.

Middle School Writing Rubrics

Angela Sutton

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Writing Rubrics

Samples of Basic, Expository, and Narrative Rubrics

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Rubric Basics

How to score a rubric, basic writing rubric, narrative writing rubric, expository writing rubric.

• M.S., Education, Buffalo State College
• B.S., Education, Buffalo State College

An easy way to evaluate student writing is to create a rubric . A rubric is a scoring guide that helps teachers evaluate student performance as well as a student product or project. A writing rubric allows you, as a teacher, to help students improve their writing skills by determining what areas they need help in.

To get started in creating a rubric, you must:

• Read through the students' writing assignment completely.
• Read each criterion on the rubric and then reread the assignment, this time focusing on each feature of the rubric .
• Circle the appropriate section for each criterion listed. This will help you score the assignment at the end.
• Give the writing assignment a final score.

To learn how to turn a four-point rubric into a letter grade, use the basic writing rubric below as an example. The four-point rubric uses four potential points the student can earn for each area, such as 1) strong, 2) developing, 3) emerging, and 4) beginning. To turn your rubric score into a letter grade, divide the points earned by the points possible.

Example: The student earns 18 out of 20 points. 18/20 = 90 percent; 90 percent = A

Suggested Point Scale :

88-100 = A 75-87 = B 62-74 = C 50-61 = D 0-50 = F

					Score
	Establishes a clear focus Uses descriptive language Provides relevant information Communicates creative ideas	Develops a focus Uses some descriptive language Details support idea Communicates original ideas	Attempts focus Ideas not fully developed	Lacks focus and development
	Establishes a strong beginning, middle, and end Demonstrates an orderly flow of ideas	Attempts an adequate introduction and ending Evidence of logical sequencing	Some evidence of a beginning, middle, and end Sequencing is attempted	Little or no organization Relies on single idea
	Uses effective language Uses high-level vocabulary Use of sentence variety	Diverse word choice Uses descriptive words Sentence variety	Limited word choice Basic sentence structure	No sense of sentence structure
	Few or no errors in: grammar, spelling, capitalization, punctuation	Some errors in: grammar, spelling, capitalization, punctuation	Has some difficulty in: grammar, spelling, capitalization, punctuation	Little or no evidence of correct grammar, spelling, capitalization or punctuation
	Easy to read Properly spaced Proper letter formation	Readable with some spacing/forming errors	Difficult to read due to spacing/forming letter	No evidence of spacing/forming letters

	Skillfully combines story elements around main idea Focus on topic is profoundly clear	Combines story elements around main idea Focus on topic is clear	Story elements do not reveal a main idea Focus on topic is somewhat clear	There is no clear main idea Focus on topic is not clear
	Characters, plot, and setting are developed strongly Sensory details and narratives are skillfully evident	Characters, plot, and setting are developed Sensory details and narratives are evident	Characters, plot, and setting are minimally developed Attempts to use narratives and sensory details	Lacks development on characters, plot, and setting Fails to use sensory details and narratives
	Strong and engaging description Sequencing of details are effective and logical	Engaging description Adequate sequencing of details	Description needs some work Sequencing is limited	Description and sequencing needs major revision
	Voice is expressive and confident	Voice is authentic	Voice is undefined	Writer's voice is not evident
	Sentence structure enhances meaning	Purposeful use of sentence structure	Sentence structure is limited	No sense of sentence structure
	A strong sense of writing conventions is apparent	Standard writing conventions is apparent	Grade level appropriate conventions	Limited use of appropriate conventions

	Informative with clear focus and supporting details	Informative with clear focus	Focus needs to be expanded and supporting details are needed	Topic needs to be developed
	Very well organized; easy to read	Has a beginning, middle, and end	Little organization; needs transitions	Organization is needed
	Voice is confident throughout	Voice is confident	Voice is somewhat confident	Little to no voice; needs confidence
	Nouns and verbs make essay informative	Use of nouns and verbs	Needs specific nouns and verbs; too general	Little to no use of specific nouns and verbs
	Sentences flow throughout piece	Sentences mostly flow	Sentences need to flow	Sentences are difficult to read and do not flow
	Zero errors	Few errors	Several errors	Many errors make it hard to read

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