Advantages of Analytic Rubrics

Provide useful feedback on areas of strength and weakness.

Criterion can be weighted to reflect the relative importance of each dimension.

Disadvantages of Analytic Rubrics

Takes more time to create and use than a holistic rubric.

Unless each point for each criterion is well-defined raters may not arrive at the same score

Advantages of Holistic Rubrics

Emphasis on what the learner is able to demonstrate, rather than what s/he cannot do.

Saves time by minimizing the number of decisions raters make.

Can be applied consistently by trained raters increasing reliability.

Disadvantages of Holistic Rubrics

Does not provide specific feedback for improvement.

When student work is at varying levels spanning the criteria points it can be difficult to select the
single best description.

Criteria cannot be weighted.

Example Analytic Rubric

Articulating Thoughts Through Written Communication—Final Paper

Needs Above Average

  Developing (2) Sufficient (3)
Improvement (1) (4)

Clarity (Thesis The purpose of the The central The central The central
supported by student work is not purpose of the purpose of the purpose of the
relevant well-defined. student work is student work is student work is
information and Central ideas are identified. Ideas clear and ideas are clear and
ideas.) not focused to are generally almost always supporting ideas
support the thesis. focused in a way focused in a way always are
Thoughts appear that supports the that supports the always well-
disconnected. thesis. thesis. Relevant focused. Details
details illustrate are relevant,
the author’s ideas. enrich the work.

Organization Information and Information and Information and Information and

(Sequencing of ideas are poorly ideas are ideas are ideas are
elements/ideas) sequenced (the presented in an presented in a presented in a
author jumps order that the logical sequence logical sequence
around). The audience can which is followed which flows
audience has follow with by the reader with naturally and is
difficulty following minimum little or no engaging to the
the thread of difficulty. difficulty. audience.
thought.

Mechanics There are five or There are no There are no more There are no
(Correctness of more misspellings more than four than three more than two
grammar and and/or systematic misspellings misspellings misspelled words
spelling) grammatical errors and/or systematic and/or or grammatical
per page or 8 or grammatical grammatical errors errors in the
more in the entire errors per page or per page and no document.
document. The six or more in the more than five in
readability of the entire document. the entire
work is seriously Errors distract document. The
hampered by errors. from the work. readability of the
work is minimally
interrupted by
 errors.

Example Holistic Rubric

Articulating thoughts through written communication— final paper/project.

4. Above Average: The audience is able to easily identify the focus of the work and is engaged by
its clear focus and relevant details. Information is presented logically and naturally. There are no
more than two mechanical errors or misspelled words to distract the reader.

3. Sufficient: The audience is easily able to identify the focus of the student work which is
supported by relevant ideas and supporting details. Information is presented in a logical manner
that is easily followed. There is minimal interruption to the work due to misspellings and/or
mechanical errors.

2. Developing: The audience can identify the central purpose of the student work without little
difficulty and supporting ideas are present and clear. The information is presented in an orderly
fashion that can be followed with little difficulty. There are some misspellings and/or mechanical
errors, but they do not seriously distract from the work.

1. Needs Improvement: The audience cannot clearly or easily identify the central ideas or purpose
of the student work. Information is presented in a disorganized fashion causing the audience to
have difficulty following the author's ideas. There are many misspellings and/or mechanical
errors that negatively affect the audience's ability to read the work.