The Rubric

The Rubric

Teachers grade with a rubric for the following reasons:

To ensure that there is a standard way of grading

So students know why they got their gradeSo students know how they can improveSo students in different classes get grades in

a similar waySo different essays can be graded in a similar

way

Task Response

This is the part of the rubric that relates to the content of the essay. Task response has to do with how on-topic the essay is and how well-supported statements are.

Task Response: Good

Sufficiently addresses all parts of the assessment

Presents a well-developed essay with relevant, extended and supported ideas You need to support with examples and related

informationExcellent and original ideas and topic

“Original” means that you have said something new about the topic

Task Response: Poor

Barely responds to the assessmentDoes not express a thesis May attempt to present one or two ideas but

there is no development Misunderstanding of task

That is, the student didn’t really understand what he/she was supposed to write about

Coherence/Cohesion

Coherence/cohesion relates to the flow of the essay and how everything flows and fits together. Here, organization is important.

Coherence/Cohesion: Good

sequences information and ideas logically manages all aspects of cohesion well uses paragraphing sufficiently and

appropriately

Coherence/Cohesion: Poor

Does not organise ideas logically May use a very limited range of cohesive

devices, and those used may not indicate a logical relationship between ideas

has very little control of organisational features

Lexical Resources

The term “lexical resources” refers to the vocabulary that is being used and whether it is being used effectively.

Lexical Resources: Good

uses a wide range of vocabulary fluently and flexibly to convey precise meanings Vocabulary is used in a fluent and accurate way

skillfully uses uncommon lexical items but occasional inaccuracies in word choice and collocation Uncommon words are used appropriately

rare errors in spelling and/or word formation

Lexical Resources: Poor

uses only a very limited range of words and expressions with

very limited control of word formation and/or spelling

errors may severely distort the message

Grammatical Range

Grammatical range refers to the grammar and structures used in the essay.

Grammatical Range: Good

uses a wide range of structures the majority of sentences are error-free makes only very occasional errors or

inappropriacies

Think, Pair, Share

What is one important reason to use a rubric for grading papers?

In your own words, what does task response mean?

What does it mean if an essay is coherent?

What are lexical resources?

What does it mean if an essay shows good grammatical range?