Rubric to Assess Sample Task

Levels of Performance for PRO-SLAVERY/ANTI-SLAVERY Team

Criteria 4 3 2 1 Grade:

1. Organization Completely Mostly clear and Clear in some Unclear and  

& Clarity:  clear and orderly orderly in all parts but not disorganized
presentation parts overall throughout
Main arguments and
responses are
outlined in a clear
and orderly way.
2. Use of Very strong and Many good Some decent Few or no real  
Argument:  persuasive arguments arguments, but arguments given, or
arguments given given, with only some significant all arguments given
throughout minor problems problems had significant
Reasons are given to problems
support the
continuation of
slavery in the
Caribbean.
3. Use of cross- Excellent cross- Good cross- Decent cross- Poor cross-exam or  
examination and exam and exam and exam and/or rebuttals, failure to
defense against rebuttals, with rebuttals, but point out problems in
rebuttal:  Negative team’s only minor slip- with some Negative team’s
objections ups significant position or failure to
Identification of problems defend itself against
weakness in Negative attack.
team’s arguments and
ability to defend
itself against attack. 
4. Presentation All style Most style Few style Very few style
Style:  features were features were features were features were used,
used used used none of them
convincingly convincingly convincingly convincingly
Tone of voice, clarity
of expression,
precision of
arguments all
contribute to keeping
audience’s attention
and persuading them
of the team’s case.
Grade:
 How to use the rubric

The rubric is constructed to reward the efforts of cooperation and teamwork. In order for

students to receive an exceptional score they need to work together as a team to plan and deliver

very strong arguments. The rubric is divided into 4 criteria which focuses on the information

gathered in parts 1, 2 and 3 of the task out-line. Criteria 1 and 2 looks at how the information is

organised and the groups’ ability to provide supporting information to strengthen their

arguments. Criteria 3 look assesses the teams’ knowledge of both sides of the situation to

validate their stand-point. Each criterion is divided into four marking sections which looks at the

team’s level of strength (4-1), 4 being the strongest. Each team member will be given an

individual score for each criterion and then an average grade is calculated for each criteria. The

maximum points that can be allocated to each team is 16 .