Creating an Effective Informational Writing Rubric: Tips and Examples
As a teacher or an educator, it’s crucial to provide students with clear expectations and guidelines to foster their success in writing informational content. An effective rubric serves as a powerful tool to accomplish this, providing students with a roadmap to success while also setting clear parameters for assessment. In this article, we’ll explore the best practices for creating an effective informational writing rubric.
Introduction
An informational writing rubric serves as an essential tool to help both students and educators. With an effective rubric in place, writers can identify the key components of a quality piece of writing, helping them to organize their thoughts and communicate their ideas effectively. Additionally, rubrics provide educators with a formula for consistent, reliable assessment.
Tips for Creating an Effective Informational Writing Rubric
1. Identify the purpose of the writing assignment
The first step in creating an effective rubric is identifying the purpose of the writing assignment. Is the goal to inform, persuade, or entertain? The purpose of the assignment will influence the criteria included in the rubric.
2. Determine the key components of successful writing
Next, it’s essential to identify the key components of successful writing. Common elements of informational writing include a clear introduction, a well-defined thesis statement, supporting evidence and analysis, and a conclusion that ties everything together.
3. Establish clear criteria
Once you’ve identified the key components of successful writing, it’s time to establish clear criteria for assessing each component. For example, criteria for assessing the thesis statement might include the clarity of the argument, its alignment with the purpose of the assignment, and its relevance to the topic.
4. Use clear language
Using clear, descriptive language is essential when creating an informational writing rubric. Avoid jargon or confusing terminology, making the rubric accessible to all students.
Examples of Effective Rubrics
To better understand how an effective rubric works, let’s look at an example.
Thesis Statement Rubric
0 – The thesis statement is absent or incomplete.
1 – The thesis statement is unclear or irrelevant.
2 – The thesis statement is somewhat clear and relevant.
3 – The thesis statement is clear, concise, and relevant, providing a strong argument that reflects the purpose of the assignment.
Conclusion
An informational writing rubric serves as a valuable tool for both students and educators. By identifying the key components of successful writing and providing clear assessment criteria, students can produce high-quality writing that reflects their learning objectives while educators can ensure consistent, reliable assessment. By following the best practices outlined in this article, you can create an effective rubric that supports learning and achievement.
