Evaluating Writing with Rubrics

Rubrics provide the specific criteria for judging a student's work.  Though they may take a number of forms, what they all hold in common is the intent to provide a clear indication of how an assignment will be evaluated. A rubric should make use of the language used in the assignment, in any related class handouts, and in any other discussions the instructor has with the class about the goals and expectations for the course as well as for the individual assignment. 

It is a good idea to share an assignment rubric with students when the assignment is given--that way, students know the instructor's expectations. 

Click here to see a sample rubric from a Writing II section.    

Now, not all writing activities will result in revised, formal prose--informal in-class quick-writes, student journals, and ADMIT and EXIT slips (brief, short notes in response to a teacher prompt at the beginning or end of a class) are all writing assignments which may value ideas and disregard detailed support or correct sentence structure.  But with even these informal writing activities, it should be clear to the student what the instructor expects.  The resulting rubric may simply be a couple of sentences which explain how the informal writing activity will be read/evaluated by the instructor.

This page was developed by Benjamin Hogan, WAC Graduate Assistant, 2006-2007.

Last Modified: February 16, 2007