Rubric generator for clear, fair grading
Vague rubrics lead to grade arguments and feedback students cannot use. This prompt has your todo.is agent write an analytic rubric for your assignment, with criteria that match your objectives, four levels described in observable terms, point values, and a student-friendly version you can hand out before they start.
The prompt
- Create a grading rubric for [ASSIGNMENT] for [GRADE OR COURSE]. The learning goals are [LEARNING GOALS]. Use [NUMBER OF CRITERIA] criteria and 4 levels (Exceeds, Meets, Approaching, Beginning), with a point range for each, totaling [TOTAL POINTS]. Describe each level with observable things a student did, not words like "good" or "poor", and keep the wording parallel across levels. Add a student-friendly version written as "I can…" statements, and 3 short feedback comments for each criterion I can reuse. Give me the rubric as a Word table and an Excel sheet that adds up the score, and email both.
What to change
- [ASSIGNMENT]: E.g. "a 5-paragraph argumentative essay", "a science lab report", "a group presentation". Attach the assignment sheet if you have one.
- [GRADE OR COURSE]: E.g. "10th grade English" or "first-year nursing".
- [LEARNING GOALS]: E.g. "clear claim, evidence from 2 sources, counterargument, MLA citations".
- [NUMBER OF CRITERIA]: E.g. "5". 4 to 6 is easy to grade.
- [TOTAL POINTS]: E.g. "100" or "20".
Example result
- Argumentative essay rubric: 10th grade English (100 points)
- 1. Claim (20 points)
- • Exceeds (18–20): states a specific, arguable claim in the introduction and returns to it in every body paragraph
- • Meets (14–17): states a clear, arguable claim; most paragraphs connect to it
- • Approaching (10–13): claim is present but broad or partly a fact; some paragraphs drift
- • Beginning (0–9): no clear claim, or the essay only summarises the topic
- 2. Evidence (25 points)
- • Exceeds (23–25): uses 3 or more relevant quotes or data from at least 2 sources, each introduced and explained
- • Meets (18–22): uses evidence from 2 sources; most of it is explained
- • Approaching (12–17): evidence from one source, or quotes dropped in without explanation
- • Beginning (0–11): little or no evidence, or evidence does not support the claim
- 3. Counterargument (20 points)
- • Exceeds (18–20): presents a fair opposing view and rebuts it with evidence
- • Meets (14–17): names an opposing view and responds to it
- • Approaching (10–13): mentions another view but does not respond
- • Beginning (0–9): no counterargument
- 4. Organisation (20 points)
- • Paragraphs with topic sentences, transitions, a conclusion that does more than repeat
- 5. Conventions and MLA (15 points)
- • In-text citations and a Works Cited page in MLA format; few errors that do not affect meaning
- Student version ("I can")
- • I can write a claim someone could disagree with.
- • I can use and explain evidence from two sources.
- • I can explain the other side and show why my side is stronger.
- Reusable feedback (Evidence)
- • "Strong quote. Add two sentences on how it proves your claim."
- • "You rely on one source. Find one more that supports paragraph 3."
- • "This statistic needs a citation."
How to do it with todo.is
- Fill in the assignment, the course and the goals, or attach your assignment sheet.
- Send the to-do to your agent in todo.is or on WhatsApp.
- You get a Word rubric, a student version and a scoring sheet in Excel.
- Ask for a single-point rubric, a holistic version, or a rubric for the next assignment in the same style.
Tips for a better result
- Describe what you can see in the work ("uses 2 sources") rather than quality words ("good use of sources").
- Weight criteria by what matters most. If the goal is argument, conventions should not be worth as much as evidence.
- Give students the rubric before they start. It works as a checklist and cuts questions later.
- Keep 4 to 6 criteria. More than that is slow to grade and hard for students to use.
rubric generator: FAQ
- What is the difference between an analytic and a holistic rubric? An analytic rubric scores each criterion separately, which gives clearer feedback. A holistic rubric gives one overall score, which is faster to use for short tasks.
- How many levels should a rubric have? Four levels is common: it avoids a vague middle option and still separates strong work from weak work. Three or five also work.
- What is a single-point rubric? It lists only the "meets" description for each criterion, with space for notes on where a student went beyond or fell short. Ask your agent for one if you prefer it.
- Can it use my existing rubric? Yes. Attach it and ask your agent to rewrite the levels, change the points or adapt it to a new assignment.
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