Assessment Rubric for Critical Thinking, Written and Oral Presentation Skills
Name: _____________________________ Date: ___________________________________
Course: ________________________________________
This Rubric will be used to assess a students critical thinking, and written and oral communication skills.
Does Not
Meet 0
Approaches 1-2
Meets 3-4
Exceeds 5
Score
Competency: Critical Thinking
Remember
No evidence
Recalls some content and
details but not always
accurately
Recalls most content and
details accurately
Identifies most
Recalls all significant
content and details
accurately
Understand
No evidence
Explains ideas, concepts
and principles with limited
accuracy and irrelevant
examples
Explains ideas, concepts
and principles with some
accuracy and relevant
examples
Explains ideas, concepts
and principles accurately
and relevant examples
Contextualizes complex
Apply
No evidence
Applies knowledge with
little consistency or
accuracy
Seeks alternative solutions
Applies knowledge with
some degree of accuracy
Seeks alternative solutions
for a problem with
Applies knowledge
consistently and accurately
Seeks alternative solutions
for a problem independently
Analyze
No evidence
Draws conclusions with
difficulty
Distinguishes relevant
from irrelevant information
with difficulty
Breaks down theories, and
arguments into their
Draws conclusions with
minimal difficulty
Distinguishes relevant
from irrelevant information
with minimal difficulty
Breaks down theories,
and arguments into
assumptions or values
Draws well-reasoned
conclusions consistently
Distinguishes relevant
from irrelevant information
easily
Breaks down theories,
and arguments into their
Evaluate
No evidence
Assesses the reliability
and comprehensiveness of
sources with limited
accuracy
Determines with a
minimal degree of
effectiveness and
Assesses the reliability
and comprehensiveness of
sources with some accuracy
Determines with some
degree
of effectiveness and
appropriateness of a specific
Assesses the reliability
and comprehensiveness of
sources with accuracy
Determines effectively the
appropriateness of a specific
process, method or theory in
solving a problem
not to unfamiliar tasks
Synthesize
No evidence
Draws inconsistent or
incomplete generalizations
from data
Generates new ideas from
existing information
and breadth
Draws generalizations that
are partially consistent and
supportable from data
Generates new ideas from
existing information with
depth and breadth
Draws generalizations that
are consistent and
supportable from data
Generates new ideas from
existing information with
/30
Competency: Written Communication
Thesis or Purpose
No evidence
Thesis demonstrates
rudimentary:
supportability
clarity
complexity
Thesis demonstrates
adequate:
supportability
clarity
complexity
Thesis demonstrates
advanced:
supportability
clarity
complexity
Organization of ideas
No evidence
clarity of purpose
logical development
supporting evidence
clarity of purpose
logical development
supporting evidence
clarity of purpose
logical development
supporting evidence
Ability to prepare
No evidence
Much of the information
collected relates specifically
written project, expands
research
Information related
specifically to written
project, explains and
Information collected
answers “so what” question
Organization demonstrates
rudimentary:
Organization demonstrates
adequate:
Organization demonstrates
advanced:
Patterns of writing,
sentence structure and
No evidence
Patterns of writing/sentence
structure/ word choice
Patterns of
writing/sentencestructure/
Patterns of
writing/sentencestructure/
Selects references and
citations according to
accepted style
manuals
No evidence
May use in text citations
with direct quotations; does
not
correctly use citations when
paraphrasing or
summarizing
Understands different uses
of MLA and APA
Uses in text citations
properly
Understands the different
uses of MLA and APA, may
sometimes substitute one for
the other
Uses in text citations
properly
Uses MLA and APA
citation properly
Demonstrates ability
to analyze,
synthesize, and
integrate ideas
No evidence
Exhibits limited ability to
integrate written
Exhibits developing
ability to integrate written
knowledge on the subject
matter
Ability to integrate
written assignments with
knowledge on subject
matter, is
able to show significance of
new knowledge
/30
Competency: Presentation Skills
Clarity of Purpose,
Timing
No evidence
Purpose (thesis) is evident
Inappropriate use of time
Purpose (thesis) is clear
Close to allotted time
Purpose (thesis) is clear
and well-developed
Completed in allotted
time
stylistic choices
appropriateness of
usage
appropriateness of
stylistic choices
appropriateness of
usage
appropriateness of
stylistic choices
Structure: Opening,
Development,
Closing
No evidence
May lack clear opening or
closing.
Organization is uneven or
confusing
Organization is clear with
an identifiable opening and
closing.
Some unevenness exists
Clear and effective
opening, development and
closing. Sequence and
relationships
Media/aids
No evidence
Communication aids are
poorly prepared or
inappropriately used
Communication aids
positively contribute to the
quality of the presentation
Communication aids
are professionally prepared
to complement and enhance
the presentation
Use of discipline
knowledge and
language
No evidence
Able to apply concepts/
theories and use examples
Able to organize ideas,
concepts, and theories and
differentiate
Shows evidence of ability
to evaluate and generate
ideas and hypotheses
/35
/5
/100
of ideas are easy to follow
errors
completely and clearly
Non-verbal: Body
supports message
strengthen message