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Assessment rubrics from tables
Start generic, adapt to specific prompts

You can easily make your own generic assessment rubrics. If you make a generic matrix in sections using the Table function in Microsoft� Word� or a similar table generator in another word-processing program, creating course- or assignment-specific assessment instruments is a snap.

Screen shot of Table menu

1) Make a file containing all sections

Instead of creating an entire table all at once, first make a table for each section of the matrix in a single file. By creating each separately, you'll be able to use different numbers of columns and rows in different sections easily.

Some recommendations:

Start by creating a table with the maximum number of columns you will need anywhere in the your assessment rubrics.
Do not delete columns; that messes up the table width and makes combining the sections a nightmare.
Keep the same width for each section you are going to merge into the completed rubric. (If you create each template section in a single file originally this should not be an issue.)
Use the merge cells command to give room to write.
Include only labels that will not change from assignment to assignment, like the label for the student�s name in your master files.
Leave space between sections of your matrix as you create your template. (If you accidentally merge the table sections, use the page break function to separate them again.)

When you finish creating all the sections, you should have created space for every writing component you need to include in assessment rubrics for evaluating student writing performance.

2) Save each section in its own file

After you are satisfied with your matrix layout, use the Save As command to save the sections in individual files each with its own distinctive file name.

For forgetful people, like me, the Save As process has two steps. First, since I have five sections for most writing assignments, I save the original matrix five times, each time with a distinctive name, like “rubric section 1” and “rubric section 2”. Then I open each of the files in turn, delete all the material except the section I want to keep, and save it again.

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Section 1: header

For my writing assignments, Section 1 is always the top of the assesment rubrics where I put the student’s name, the date, assignment, and similar identifying material. The section below is made using a 5 column, 2-row table.

rubric header section

Section 2: content

Section 2 is for the paper’s content. This is where I’ll consider the organization and development of ideas. If there are certain elements that students must include in the assignment(s) for which I'm creating the rubric (a clear thesis statement or a definition, for example), I list them here.

rubric content section

Sometimes, I make a grade checkoff instead of a comment box in the content sections. That allows me to distinguish between items that either are included or not, and items whose can vary. In the sample below, I can indicate whether the student has achieved competence (C = Competent), not achieved competence (-C), or gone beyond competence (C+ or C++).

rubric content with grade check-off

Section 3: mechanics

Section 3 of my assessment rubrics is for writing mechanics. Here I list “counts off” problems and specify the maximum number of errors I will accept and still consider the work competent. If I’m preparing a rubric for something like a research paper, I may insert a second copy of the third matrix section to use for citation, bibliography, and formatting considerations.

writing mechanics section of rubric

Section 4: style

Section 4 is for stylistic elements such as fluency and idiomatic correctness. style section of rubric

Section 5: general comments.

Section 5 is always a “general comments” section in my assessment rubrics. This is where I suggest resources or options for tackling one or two major problems in the student's paper. I also put comments here about areas in which the student is showing improvement, particularly if the improvements don't result in instant grade increases.

comments section of rubric

3) Combine the sections as needed

When you are ready to make a table, open the file that contains your top section (mine is rubric 1) and save a copy of it under a name you'll recognize.

Put in any changes you need.

Put your cursor below that table. Use the insert file command to insert a copy of your second rubric section. If you need more or fewer rows, use the appropriate add or delete commands in the drop-down Table menu.

Type in whatever information is needed.

Put your cursor below that second table. Use the insert file command to insert a copy of your third rubric section. Again adjust the number of rows and type in necessary information.

Keep inserting files and updating the information until you have copies of each of your rubric sections in a single file. Delete any space between the table sections.

Voila! A complete assessment rubric, tailored to your specific needs in no time at all; you still have the untouched files to use for other projects.

Click to see a completed instructor evaluation instrument made using this this DIY assessment rubrics system.

Preparing your own rubrics may take more time than downloading someone else’s material; however, it’s a better use of your time than shooting at someone else’s target.

created 12-Apr-2008; updated: 06-Sep-2008