The Benefits of Using a Rubric A WIP Workshop Facilitator: Pamela R. Fletcher, Director of Writing 9/16

Using Rubrics for Assessment and Grading   Rubrics are useful tools for 1) providing students with constructive feedback on their writing assignments and for 2) maintaining consistent grading practices. A rubric is used to either assess and/or grade a course assignment. The rubric divides the assignment into various components that are specifically defined and weighed according to levels of mastery. For assessment purposes, instructors may use a rubric to monitor their students’ performance as a class and identify the concepts and skills that necessitate more instructional time. For grading purposes, a rubric offers students a clear description of performance expectations of a given assignment. Students may apply the rubric to track and gage their progress while working to complete the assignment successfully. When reviewing their graded work, the rubric helps students to understand their strengths and weaknesses, and it indicates how they may improve their performance.

Some Suggested Rubric Components   Overall Impression of Quality Argument (Hypothesis, Position, Premise, Stance, Thesis, Hypothesis, etc.) Evidence (Examples, Support, Rationale, Research etc.) Counter Evidence (Opposing Argument, etc.) Organization (Structure of Intro, Middle, and Conclusion Paragraphs/Sections) Content and Development (Grasp of Readings/Research, Purpose, Context, Ideas, Analysis, Synthesis, etc.) Clarity, Style, and Mechanics Sources Citations

Suggested Range of Mastery in a Rubric Excellent Good Needs Improvement Unacceptable

Example: A Writing Component of a Rubric, Excellent Category   Excellent Clarity, etc. The paper has been spelled check and proofread. Unusual words, jargon, or slang are relevant and clearly explained. Concepts and theories are correctly and fully articulated. Terminology is well defined. The language is clear, concise, and cogent. There are no fragments or run-on sentences. The sentences have varied lengths, displaying good rhythm/pace. The punctuation is correct. The quotations are correctly attributed and cited.

Sources Association of American Colleges and Universities. “Written Communication Value Rubric.” value@aacu.org “Grading and Performance Rubrics.” Eberly Center, Teaching Excellence and Innovation. Carnegie Mellon University, n.d. Web. 20 Sept. 2016. Stevens, D. & Levi, A. Introduction to Rubrics: An Assessment Tool to Save Grading Time, Convey Effective Feedback and Promote Student Learning. Sterling, VA: Stylus, 2005. Print.