Economics Writing Example Rubric

Learning outcome: Students will be able to apply economic theory and empirical data to analyze policy issues.
Work product: Writing Assignment
Learning Outcome 4 3 2 1
Component

Identification of
criteria
Defines criteria for Clearly (correctly) Provides definitions of Provides definitions of Does not correctly
assessment of the policy defines the criteria used the criteria used to the criteria used to define criteria used
issue to assess the assess the implications assess the implications
implications of the of the research question, of the research question,
research question but it is unclear but at least one
definition is not factually
correct

Weighs the relative Indicates the relative Weighting scheme and Weighting scheme, Does not identify the
importance of the criteria weighting (importance) rationale, although although present, is relative weighting
of the criteria and present, are unclear unclear; no rationale for (importance) of the
provides a rationale for the weighting scheme is criteria
the weighting scheme provided

Theoretical analysis
Applies a production Clearly presents and Presents and explains Presents and explains Does not present the
possibility diagram to the fully explains the impact the impact of the the impact of the impact of the proposed
policy issue of the proposed change proposed change in proposed change in change in terms of a
in terms of a production terms of a PPF diagram, terms of a PPF diagram, PPF diagram or the
possibility frontier (PPF) but explanation is but presentation presentation contains
diagram unclear contains factual errors serious factual errors

Applies a supply and Clearly presents and Presents and explains Presents and explains Does not present the
demand diagram to the fully explains the impact the impact of the the impact of the impact of the proposed
policy issue of the proposed change proposed change in proposed change in change in terms of a
in terms of a supply and terms of a supply and terms of a supply and supply and demand
demand diagram demand diagram, but demand diagram, but diagram or the
explanation is unclear presentation contains presentation contains
factual errors serious factual errors

Applies a production Clearly presents and Presents and explains Presents and explains Does not present the
costs/supply diagram to fully explains the impact the impact of the the impact of the impact of the proposed
the policy issue of the proposed change proposed change in proposed change in change in terms of a
in terms of a production terms of a production terms of a production production costs/supply
costs/supply diagram costs/supply diagram, costs/supply diagram, diagram or the
but explanation is but presentation presentation contains
unclear contains factual errors serious factual errors

Empirical analysis
Analyzes economic data Provides an analysis of Provides an analysis of Provides an analysis of Does not provide an
in support of their economic data that economic data that economic data that analysis of economic
position support the position; support the position; support the position; data that supports the
quantitative and quantitative or discussion is unclear or position or the analysis
qualitative information qualitative information is contains factual errors contains serious factual
are presented accurately presented accurately errors

Integration of analysis
Integrates analyses and Provides a clear link Provides some link Provides some link Does not provide a link
stated criteria for between the theoretical between the theoretical between the theoretical between the theoretical
assessment and empirical analyses and empirical analyses and empirical analyses, and empirical analyses
and the assessment and the assessment but does not provide a and the assessment
criteria criteria link between the criteria
assessment criteria and
the analyses

Rubric is a modification of one presented by: Walvoord, B. (2004). Assessment clear and simple: A practical guide for institutions,
departments, and general education. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass Publishers.
http://academics.lmu.edu/spee/officeofassessment/assessmentresources/rubrics/examplerubrics/economicswritingexamplerubric/