Theory

Rubrics are an important tool in the writing classroom. A good rubric can provide both the teacher and the student a clear outline of proficiency and grading expectations for an assingment. It also allows the teacher to indicate to the student what the primary outcomes and focus of an assignment should be. Looking at the big picture (holistic) or focusing on a particluar feature (analytic) of the student's writing, or a combination of the two, helps both student and teacher work towards greater writing proficiency.

Analytic Approach

Teachers can use an analytic approach on a rubric to focus on particular aspects of the assignment that students should pay careful attention to. Singling out a particluar writing feature or writing process, or just a few writing features, allows for pointed practice and assessment.

Analytic Approach Rubric Example

Holistic Approach

Teachers can use a holistic approach to the rubric to focus on "big picture" aspects of the assignment. Taking a step back and assessing the general feel for an assignment, or on the larger concerns of content, cohesion, and unity, are also needed for student practice and assessment.

• Holistic Approach Rubric Example

LATs Rubric

The ELC conducts Level Achievement Tests (LATs) at the end of each semester. All students are expected to take these tests and the student's results inform administration on the general student proficiency gains over the semester. The LATs are very similar to the Placement Tests new students (or returning students) take when they are placed into a skill level at the beginning of a semester. The writing rubric that is used to rate student LAT submissions gives both administrators and teachers a good idea of the writing proficiency of the student.

The LATs writing rubric is divided into a rating scale of 0-7, with 0 showing limited or no proficiency in English writing, and a 7 showing highly developed English writing skills. To determine a numerical level, raters first look at the text type, then the content, and finally the accuracy of the writing sample. Although the LATs rubric seems to be divided into levels 0-2 for the 10-Minute Paragraph and levels 3-7 for the 30-Minute Essay, raters must use common sense when looking at both the student's writing submissions and the rubric to make a rating.

Because the student's LAT score is used for both student placement and advancement, looking at the LATs Rubric gives a writing teacher a good idea of the general writing skill level of particular students and their class as a whole at the beginning of the semester. Teachers can also use the LATs Rubric throughout the semester to focus on analytic or holistic writing features when working with the students to improve their writing proficiency.

30 min. Timed Writing Rubric

Writing under timed constraints without access to translators, grammar suggestions, or spell-check options allows students to demonstrate their writing proficiency in a particular way. UP Writing students will respond to at least two 30-minute timed writing prompts during the semester and their essay responses will be shared with the UP Linguistic Accuracy teacher for dual assessment. The Writing teacher will focus on text type and content, while the Linguistic Accuracy teacher will focus on sentence clause accuracy.

• 30-Minute Timed Writing Rubric

Drafted Writing Rubrics

Guiding students through the drafted writing process is a major focus of UP Writing and an important academic skill needed for the university setting. Students at the UP Writing level will write an Arumentative Essay every semester.

• Detailed Outline
• Draft #1
• Draft #2
• Final Draft

TOEFL Writing Tasks Rubrics

Preparing to take and pass the TOEFL English proficiency test is a predominantly major concern for students at the ELC, and along with future academic study plans, is often the number one reason why they are enrolled at the ELC to improve academic English proficiency. Being familiar with the test format, test questions, and scoring conventions of the TOEFL is not necessary for ELC Writing teachers, but will certainly help teachers provide meaningful instruction to prepare students for future academic writing expectations.

• TOEFL Writing Tasks Rubrics