english creative writing rubric

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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Creating and using rubrics.

A rubric describes the criteria that will be used to evaluate a specific task, such as a student writing assignment, poster, oral presentation, or other project. Rubrics allow instructors to communicate expectations to students, allow students to check in on their progress mid-assignment, and can increase the reliability of scores. Research suggests that when rubrics are used on an instructional basis (for instance, included with an assignment prompt for reference), students tend to utilize and appreciate them (Reddy and Andrade, 2010).

Rubrics generally exist in tabular form and are composed of:

• A description of the task that is being evaluated,
• The criteria that is being evaluated (row headings),
• A rating scale that demonstrates different levels of performance (column headings), and
• A description of each level of performance for each criterion (within each box of the table).

When multiple individuals are grading, rubrics also help improve the consistency of scoring across all graders. Instructors should insure that the structure, presentation, consistency, and use of their rubrics pass rigorous standards of validity , reliability , and fairness (Andrade, 2005).

Major Types of Rubrics

There are two major categories of rubrics:

• Holistic : In this type of rubric, a single score is provided based on raters’ overall perception of the quality of the performance. Holistic rubrics are useful when only one attribute is being evaluated, as they detail different levels of performance within a single attribute. This category of rubric is designed for quick scoring but does not provide detailed feedback. For these rubrics, the criteria may be the same as the description of the task.
• Analytic : In this type of rubric, scores are provided for several different criteria that are being evaluated. Analytic rubrics provide more detailed feedback to students and instructors about their performance. Scoring is usually more consistent across students and graders with analytic rubrics.

Rubrics utilize a scale that denotes level of success with a particular assignment, usually a 3-, 4-, or 5- category grid:

Figure 1: Grading Rubrics: Sample Scales (Brown Sheridan Center)

Sample Rubrics

Instructors can consider a sample holistic rubric developed for an English Writing Seminar course at Yale.

The Association of American Colleges and Universities also has a number of free (non-invasive free account required) analytic rubrics that can be downloaded and modified by instructors. These 16 VALUE rubrics enable instructors to measure items such as inquiry and analysis, critical thinking, written communication, oral communication, quantitative literacy, teamwork, problem-solving, and more.

Recommendations

The following provides a procedure for developing a rubric, adapted from Brown’s Sheridan Center for Teaching and Learning :

• Define the goal and purpose of the task that is being evaluated - Before constructing a rubric, instructors should review their learning outcomes associated with a given assignment. Are skills, content, and deeper conceptual knowledge clearly defined in the syllabus , and do class activities and assignments work towards intended outcomes? The rubric can only function effectively if goals are clear and student work progresses towards them.
• Decide what kind of rubric to use - The kind of rubric used may depend on the nature of the assignment, intended learning outcomes (for instance, does the task require the demonstration of several different skills?), and the amount and kind of feedback students will receive (for instance, is the task a formative or a summative assessment ?). Instructors can read the above, or consider “Additional Resources” for kinds of rubrics.
• Define the criteria - Instructors can review their learning outcomes and assessment parameters to determine specific criteria for the rubric to cover. Instructors should consider what knowledge and skills are required for successful completion, and create a list of criteria that assess outcomes across different vectors (comprehensiveness, maturity of thought, revisions, presentation, timeliness, etc). Criteria should be distinct and clearly described, and ideally, not surpass seven in number.
• Define the rating scale to measure levels of performance - Whatever rating scale instructors choose, they should insure that it is clear, and review it in-class to field student question and concerns. Instructors can consider if the scale will include descriptors or only be numerical, and might include prompts on the rubric for achieving higher achievement levels. Rubrics typically include 3-5 levels in their rating scales (see Figure 1 above).
• Write descriptions for each performance level of the rating scale - Each level should be accompanied by a descriptive paragraph that outlines ideals for each level, lists or names all performance expectations within the level, and if possible, provides a detail or example of ideal performance within each level. Across the rubric, descriptions should be parallel, observable, and measurable.
• Test and revise the rubric - The rubric can be tested before implementation, by arranging for writing or testing conditions with several graders or TFs who can use the rubric together. After grading with the rubric, graders might grade a similar set of materials without the rubric to assure consistency. Instructors can consider discrepancies, share the rubric and results with faculty colleagues for further opinions, and revise the rubric for use in class. Instructors might also seek out colleagues’ rubrics as well, for comparison. Regarding course implementation, instructors might consider passing rubrics out during the first class, in order to make grading expectations clear as early as possible. Rubrics should fit on one page, so that descriptions and criteria are viewable quickly and simultaneously. During and after a class or course, instructors can collect feedback on the rubric’s clarity and effectiveness from TFs and even students through anonymous surveys. Comparing scores and quality of assignments with parallel or previous assignments that did not include a rubric can reveal effectiveness as well. Instructors should feel free to revise a rubric following a course too, based on student performance and areas of confusion.

Additional Resources

Cox, G. C., Brathwaite, B. H., & Morrison, J. (2015). The Rubric: An assessment tool to guide students and markers. Advances in Higher Education, 149-163.

Creating and Using Rubrics - Carnegie Mellon Eberly Center for Teaching Excellence and & Educational Innovation

Creating a Rubric - UC Denver Center for Faculty Development

Grading Rubric Design - Brown University Sheridan Center for Teaching and Learning

Moskal, B. M. (2000). Scoring rubrics: What, when and how? Practical Assessment, Research & Evaluation 7(3).

Quinlan A. M., (2011) A Complete Guide to Rubrics: Assessment Made Easy for Teachers of K-college 2nd edition, Rowman & Littlefield Education.

Andrade, H. (2005). Teaching with Rubrics: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly. College Teaching 53(1):27-30.

Reddy, Y. M., & Andrade, H. (2010). A review of rubric use in higher education. Assessment & Evaluation in Higher Education, 35(4), 435-448.

Sheridan Center for Teaching and Learning , Brown University

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A Teacher’s Guide to a Short Story Writing Rubric

A short story writing rubric can your students become fantastic short story writers! Today, we’re going to dive into the world of short story writing rubrics—a tool that can make your teaching journey smoother and your students’ writing skills shine.

What’s a Short Story Writing Rubric, Anyway?

Before we dive in, let’s clear the air about what a short story writing rubric is. Think of it as your trusty roadmap for assessing and guiding your students through the process of crafting awesome short stories. It’s like a checklist, a set of guidelines, or even a secret recipe for creating engaging tales.

Why Do You Need a Short Story Writing Rubric?

You might be wondering, “Why should I bother with a rubric when grading short stories?” Well, here’s the scoop:

• Clarity : A rubric lays out your expectations for students in a clear and understandable way. No surprises!
• Consistency : It helps ensure that all your students are judged fairly and consistently, no matter who’s doing the grading.
• Feedback : Rubrics provide a structured way to give feedback. Instead of writing a novel on each paper, you can pinpoint areas for improvement efficiently.
• Growth : By using a rubric, you give students a roadmap for success, helping them see where they excel and where they need to improve.

Creating Your Short Story Writing Rubric

Step 1: Determine Your Criteria

Decide what aspects of short story writing are most important to you and your curriculum. Here are some common criteria to consider:

• Plot : Is the story engaging? Does it have a clear beginning, middle, and end?
• Characters : Are the characters well-developed and relatable?
• Setting : Does the story transport the reader to a specific time and place?
• Dialogue : Is the dialogue natural and does it advance the plot?
• Grammar and Style : Is the writing clear, and are there few grammatical errors?
• Creativity : Does the story stand out, offering fresh ideas or unique twists?

Step 2: Define Levels of Proficiency

For each of your criteria, create different levels of proficiency . Let’s use a four-level rubric as an example:

• Beginning : This level represents a starting point where students are just beginning to grasp the concept.
• Developing : At this level, students are making progress and showing improvement.
• Achieving : Achieving level indicates that students have reached a satisfactory level of proficiency.
• Mastering : This is the highest level, reserved for students who have demonstrated exceptional mastery of the criterion.

With these four levels, you can provide a more nuanced assessment of your students’ short stories and better guide their development.

Step 3: Describe Each Level

Now, describe what each level means for each criterion. Be specific! For example:

• Plot (Level 3) : The story’s plot is engaging, with a clear beginning, middle, and end. It includes unexpected twists that captivate the reader.
• Plot (Level 2) : The story has a good plot with a clear structure. While it’s engaging, there’s room for a bit more creativity.
• Plot (Level 1) : The story lacks a clear structure, making it difficult to follow.

Repeat these descriptions for all your criteria.

Using Your Short Story Writing Rubric

Alright, you’ve got your rubric ready , but how do you use it effectively?

• Share It : Start by giving your students the rubric before they start writing. This way, they know what you’ll be looking for.
• Self-Assessment : Encourage students to assess their own work using the rubric before turning it in. It’s a great way for them to identify areas they can improve.
• Peer Review : Have students exchange their stories and use the rubric to assess their classmates’ work. It promotes collaboration and helps students see different writing styles.
• Provide Feedback : When grading, use the rubric as a guide. Be sure to provide specific feedback on each criterion to help students understand where they excelled and where they can improve.
• Goal Setting : After grading, discuss the rubric with your students. Help them set goals for their next short story based on your feedback.

Final Thoughts

In the world of teaching short story writing, a rubric is like your secret sauce. It helps you create consistency, provide meaningful feedback, and guide your students toward becoming top-notch storytellers.

So, go ahead, create your short story writing rubric , and watch your students’ writing skills soar to new heights. Happy teaching, and may your classrooms be filled with captivating short stories!

That’s a wrap on our guide to short story writing rubrics for grade 7 teachers. We hope you found this information helpful and can’t wait to see the amazing stories your students will produce.

Try our Rubric Builder for Teachers! 

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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.

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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

Example of a holistic rubric for a final paper, single-point rubric, 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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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

• Sample Essay Rubric for Elementary Teachers
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• Tips to Cut Writing Assignment Grading Time
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• How to Create a Rubric in 6 Steps
• ESL Essay Writing Rubric
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• Rubric Template Samples for Teachers
• Grading for Proficiency in the World of 4.0 GPAs
• How to Calculate a Percentage and Letter Grade
• A Simple Guide to Grading Elementary Students
• Holistic Grading (Composition)
• How Dyslexia Impacts Writing Skills

Two ESL Writing Rubric Templates

Providing timely and high-quality feedback to students is key to ensure they make consistent progress, but grading (English as a Second Language) ESL writing assignments is time-consuming. An ESL writing rubric can make the process significantly easier for you and transparent for your students.

In this blog post, we will show you two ESL writing rubric templates that you can use to grade your student’s writing. But first, let’s understand what is an ESL writing rubric.

What is an ESL Writing Rubric?

Grading written essays objectively and consistently is difficult without standardized rubrics. With an ESL writing feedback rubric teachers can provide detailed, personalized, fair and unbiased feedback to their students.

Rubric-based feedback is helpful for students because it clearly communicates their instructor's expectations and how they measure against it, so don’t forget to craft a rubric that very clearly captures expectations and your feedback for the assignment.

ESL Writing Rubric Template

Esl essay writing rubric template.

Thank you for submitting your assignment. You can read my feedback below: Purpose {formtoggle: name=Clearly defined; default=yes}Purpose is clearly defined; includes many details that connect talking points and develop the assignment; may include minor irrelevant information.{endformtoggle: trim=yes} {formtoggle: name=good, not well supported; default=no}Purpose is comprehensible and defined; includes some details, although not all points are adequately supported; some irrelevant information.{endformtoggle: trim=yes} {formtoggle: name=not comprehensible, loose connections; default=no}Purpose is defined, but may not be comprehensible for readers who don’t know the writer; few details included; loose connections; a lot of irrelevant information.{endformtoggle: trim=yes}{formtoggle: name=no supporting details; default=no}Attempts to define the purpose; few to no supporting details.{endformtoggle} Organization {formtoggle: name=coherent and logical; default=yes}Coherent and logical throughout the assignment; clear beginning, middle and end; smooth transitions used to connect ideas.{endformtoggle: trim=yes} {formtoggle: name=follows a logical sequence; default=no}Assignment follows a logical sequence; contains a beginning, middle and end.{endformtoggle: trim=yes} {formtoggle: name=beginning or end is unclear; default=no}Attempts to follow a logical sequence; beginning or ending is unclear or ends abruptly.{endformtoggle: trim=yes} {formtoggle: name=incoherent, disconnected ideas; default=no}No coherent order; written with sentence fragments or disconnected ideas.{endformtoggle} Vocabulary {formtoggle: name=wide vocab; default=yes}Wide variety of vocabulary used; words help expand the topic; minor inaccuracies that do not affect the reader's ability to comprehend the assignment.{endformtoggle: trim=yes} {formtoggle: name=good vocab, few errors; default=no}Variety of words related to the topic; few errors.{endformtoggle: trim=yes} {formtoggle: name=basic vocab, unrelated words; default=no}Uses basic vocabulary; some words are not related to the topic.{endformtoggle: trim=yes} {formtoggle: name=limited vocab, very inaccurate; default=no}Uses a limited vocabulary that is below the expected level; vocabulary is largely inaccurate.{endformtoggle} Grammar/Punctuation/Conventions {formtoggle: name=excellent; default=yes}The writer demonstrates an excellent understanding of English conventions; limited errors that do not affect the reader’s ability to comprehend the assignment.{endformtoggle: trim=yes} {formtoggle: name=average; default=no}Demonstrates an average understanding of English conventions; errors are unlikely to affect reader comprehension; low amount of errors.{endformtoggle: trim=yes} {formtoggle: name=frequent errors; default=no}Shows some understanding of English conventions; frequent errors; errors hinder reader’s ability to comprehend the assignment.{endformtoggle: trim=yes} {formtoggle: name=incomprehensible; default=no}Demonstrates lower than expected knowledge of English conventions; the piece is nearly incomprehensible.{endformtoggle}

Fluency {formtoggle: name=noticeable effort to write; default=yes}The writer does not use translation; puts noticeable effort to write like a native speaker.{endformtoggle: trim=yes} {formtoggle: name=very few errors; default=no}Very little translation is used in the assignment; effort to write like a native speaker; errors are few.{endformtoggle: trim=yes} {formtoggle: name=hard to understand; default=no}Heavy translation throughout the document; writing is hard to understand.{endformtoggle: trim=yes} {formtoggle: name=incomprehensible; default=no}Writing is incomprehensible.{endformtoggle}

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