How to create a grading rubric for a writing assignment

When you’re working on a research-based writing assignment, one of the biggest challenges is understanding exactly how your work will be evaluated. Without clear expectations, you may end up spending time polishing details that won’t carry much weight, or missing critical elements that could cost you marks.

That’s where QuadC’s AI Tutor Grading feature comes in. Not only can it provide instant feedback on your drafts, but it can also use the available grading rubric to help you improve exactly what your instructor will be evaluating.

But… What if your professor doesn't provide a rubric? You can create one!

Why a Rubric Matters for Students

A grading rubric breaks down your assignment into key criteria, assigns a point value to each, and explains what’s needed to earn those points. For a research-based writing assignment, this might include:

• The quality and relevance of your research sources
• How well you organize and present your ideas
• The strength of your argument or thesis
• Proper citations and formatting
• Clarity, grammar, and overall writing quality

When you use QuadC’s AI Tutor, you can ask it to generate a custom rubric based on your professor’s instructions. This takes the guesswork out of what’s expected and teaches you how to self-assess like an experienced writer.

How to Use QuadC’s AI Tutor to Create and Apply a Rubric

1. Upload Your Assignment Guidelines – Paste your professor’s instructions into the AI Tutor.
   
   
2. Ask for a Rubric – Request: “Generate a grading rubric for this research-based writing assignment.”
   
   
3. Review and Adjust – Make sure it matches your course’s requirements.

Example: AI-Generated Grading Rubric for a Research-Based Writing Assignment

The Benefit for Students

By grading yourself before submission, you’ll improve your work and build valuable self-assessment skills that will help you in future assignments.

With QuadC’s AI Tutor Grading feature, you’re not just checking boxes, you’re learning how to think like your instructor, spot weaknesses in your work, and submit with confidence.