The following devices/tools will help in developing rubrics for assessing student performance.

Rubric For Mastery of Tools That "Tell" The Truth
 
 

Adequate Above Average Exemplary
Find examples of Value-Laden Words in text(s) Identify emotional language which is value-laden and used to sway opinions Distinguish between Denotative and Connotative meanings.
Find examples of words with strong connotative meanings
Rewrite the passage eliminating and changing all value-laden language to state message in objective terms
Separate Facts and Opinions in text(s) Find examples of facts and opinions in the text(s) Determine if facts are accurate, supported by evidence, if opinions are justified by evidence or logical arguments Rewrite the text to replace opinions with facts or to better support either facts, opinions, or both with evidence and valid, logical arguments
Evaluate Motives, Qualifications, and Authority of Author(s) of text(s) Identify the author(s) and purpose(s) of the text(s) Identify text features that support the author's credibility, quality of writing, authority, and evidence for accuracy of content Compare and contrast text features for two or more texts that are good and poor examples of author's credibility, quality of writing, authority, and evidence for accuracy of content
Assess Validity of Claims in text(s) Find text(s) of two of the three types of claims:  empirical, valuative, or metaphysical.  Tell what evidence supports the claims identified Identify the common fallacies used in arguments for two types of claims found in the text(s) ( Bandwagon, Begging the Question, Name Calling, False Cause, and Slippery Slope) Provide examples of at least two clams and two common fallacies used in faulty arguments and rewrite the text to produce valid, logical arguments with reasons and evidence to support.

Assessment Tool for
Nothing But the Truth
Problem Report and
Presentation

Name ______________________
 
 
 

Activity  Points
Possible
Points 
Earned
Comment 
NBTT Problem 16
Group Report 16
Group Presentation 28
S-A Process and Product 20
Peer Assessment 28

 
 

Total Points Possible    108

Total Points Received  ___
 

Rubrics for the above components:

        For this tool, a subject content rubric is utilized.  It can be found at http://www.mashell.com/~parr5/techno/content.html
Exceptional Admirable Acceptable Amateur
Content An abundance of material clearly related to thesis; points are clearly made and all evidence supports thesis; varied use
of materials
Sufficient information that relates to thesis;
many good points made but there is an
uneven balance and 
little variation
There is a great
deal of information that is not clearly connected to the thesis
Thesis is not clear;
information included
that does not support  thesis in any
way
Coherence and 
Organization

 

Thesis is clearly stated and developed
specific examples are appropriate and clearly develop thesis; conclusion is clear; shows control; flows together well;
good transitions; succinct but not choppy; well organized
Most information presented in logical sequence; generally very well organized but better transitions from idea to idea and medium to medium needed Concepts and ideas are loosely connected; lacks clear transitions; flow and organization are choppy Presentation is choppy and disjointed; does not flow; development of thesis is vague; no apparent logical order of presentation
Creativity Very original presentation of material; uses the unexpected to full advantage; captures audience's attention Some originality apparent; good variety of materials/media Little or no variation; material presented with little originality or interpretation Repetitive with little or no variety ; insufficient use of multimedia
Material

 

Balanced use of multimedia materials; properly used to develop thesis; use of media is varied and appropriate Use of multimedia not as varied and not as well connected to thesis Choppy use of multimedia materials; lacks smooth transition from one medium to another; multimedia not clearly connected to thesis Little or no multimedia used or ineffective use of multimedia; imbalance in use of materials--too much of one, not enough of another
Speaking Skills Poised, clear articulation; proper volume; steady rate; good posture and eye contact; enthusiasm; confidence Clear articulation but not as polished Some mumbling; little eye contact; uneven rate; little or no expression Inaudible or too loud; no eye contact; rate too slow/fast; speaker seemed uninterested and used monotone
Audience 
Response
Involved the audience in the presentation; points made in create way; held the audience's attention throughout Presented facts with some interesting "twists"; held the audience's attention most of the time Some related facts but went off topic and lost the audience; mostly presented facts with little or no imagination Incoherent; audience lost interest and could determine the point of the presentation

      This checklist is located at http://www.bham.wednet.edu/mod8low.htm     This assessment utilizes the group presentation rubric that was given previously.  The problem rubric presents an average of
    the peer assessment rubrics.

Kathy Schrock offers some wonderful information on assessment rubrics.