About Rubrics
A rubric is a criterion referenced assessment tool used to score assignments or performances. Work is scored/graded based on how well the finished product lines up with the criteria listed on the rubric. A rubric is a very powerful device for performance-based assessments, such as oral presentations or projects, but also makes grading essay questions and narratives quick and easy.
Rubrics list the criteria for an assignment and describe these criteria in varying levels of quality. Most often an analytic rubric is in a grid or table format. The criteria are listed along one side and the performance ratings along the adjacent side.
- Building a rubric for your HBI course assignments
- Grading with your own rubric scale
- Submitting Assignments that use rubrics
- Grading an assignment that has a rubric scale
Consider this simple chart for selecting the best cookies as a rubric:
Best Cookie Rubric:
| Winner! 3 Points |
Possible Contender 1 Points |
No, Thank You 0 Points |
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|---|---|---|---|
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Appearance
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Looking at the cookie makes my mouth water. The cookie appears professionally crafted.
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The cookie looks like a homemade baked good. There might be some overdone or underdone parts, but I want to eat it.
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Is that a cookie? “Object” is lumpy in the wrong ways, flat, or burned.
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Taste
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Delicious! I just want to eat more and more.
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Solid taste. I’ve had better cookies, but I would eat this again.
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This has a… strange flavor. One bite was too many.
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Texture
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Cookie is soft, but not crumbly or Cookie is crispy, but not hard |
Cookie is soft, but crumbly or Cookie is crispy, but breaks up |
Cookie falls apart at first bite or Cookie breaks my teeth |
In the simple example below, the criteria are “Factual Information,” “Use of a Visual,” and “Speaking for a Presentation.” The performance ratings can be either numerical, descriptive, or both. This rubric divides quality of performance into three parts: 3 – Excellent, 2 – Satisfactory, and 1 – Needs Work, but other rubrics can be more complex. Each criterion needs to be described for each of these performance ratings.
Oral Report Rubric:
| Exceptional 3 Points |
Satisfactory 2 Points |
Needs Work 1 Points |
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|---|---|---|---|
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Factual Information
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All information presented was factually correct.
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Most information about the state was correct, but there were 1-3 major errors.
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Little to no correct information was presented on the state.
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Use of a Visual
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Visual was eye-catching and interesting. It enhanced the presentation.
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Visual was relevant to the presentation, but did not grab the audience’s interest.
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Visual did not enhance the presentation or was missing.
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Speaking for a Presentation
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Excellent oral delivery! Maintained eye contact with members of the audience throughout most of the presentation. Spoke clearly and loudly enough to be heard. Presentation was interesting and engaging for the audience.
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Student did at least two of the following: made eye contact, spoke loudly and clearly, delivered an easy-to-follow presentation.
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Student did at least two of the following: made little to no eye contact, had poor diction, or spoke at a low volume.
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Rubric Assessment Ideas
Rubrics can be used to assess many, many different assignments or activities. Here are only a few ideas:
| Performance | Written | Other |
|---|---|---|
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