Economics Writing Example Rubric

Learning Outcome Component

4

3

2

1

Identification of criteria

Defines criteria for assessment of the policy issue

Clearly (correctly) defines the criteria used to assess the implications of the research question

Provides definitions of the criteria used to assess the implications of the research question, but it is unclear

Provides definitions of the criteria used to assess the implications of the research question, but at least one definition is not factually correct

Does not correctly define criteria used

Weighs the relative importance of the criteria

Indicates the relative weighting (importance) of the criteria and provides a rationale for the weighting scheme

Weighting scheme and rationale, although present, are unclear

Weighting scheme, although present, is unclear; no rationale for the weighting scheme is provided

Does not identify the relative weighting (importance) of the criteria

Theoretical analysis

Applies a production possibility diagram to the policy issue

Clearly presents and fully explains the impact of the proposed change in terms of a production possibility frontier (PPF) diagram

Presents and explains the impact of the proposed change in terms of a PPF diagram, but explanation is unclear

Presents and explains the impact of the proposed change in terms of a PPF diagram, but presentation contains factual errors

Does not present the impact of the proposed change in terms of a PPF diagram or the presentation contains serious factual errors

Applies a supply and demand diagram to the policy issue

Clearly presents and fully explains the impact of the proposed change in terms of a supply and demand diagram

Presents and explains the impact of the proposed change in terms of a supply and demand diagram, but explanation is unclear

Presents and explains the impact of the proposed change in terms of a supply and demand diagram, but presentation contains factual errors

Does not present the impact of the proposed change in terms of a supply and demand diagram or the presentation contains serious factual errors

Applies a production costs/supply diagram to the policy issue

Clearly presents and fully explains the impact of the proposed change in terms of a production costs/supply diagram

Presents and explains the impact of the proposed change in terms of a production costs/supply diagram, but explanation is unclear

Presents and explains the impact of the proposed change in terms of a production costs/supply diagram, but presentation contains factual errors

Does not present the impact of the proposed change in terms of a production costs/supply diagram or  the presentation contains serious factual errors

Empirical analysis

Analyzes economic data in support of their position

Provides an analysis of economic data that support the position; quantitative and qualitative information are presented accurately

Provides an analysis of economic data that supports the position; quantitative or qualitative information is presented accurately

Provides an analysis of economic data that support the position; discussion is unclear or contains factual errors

Does not provide an analysis of economic data that supports the position or  the analysis contains serious factual errors

Integration of analysis

Integrates analyses and stated criteria for assessment

Provides a clear link between the theoretical and empirical analyses and the assessment criteria

Provides some link between the theoretical and empirical analyses and the assessment criteria

Provides some link between the theoretical and empirical analyses, but does not provide a link between the assessment criteria and the analyses

Does not provide a link between the theoretical and empirical analyses and the assessment criteria