Rubric for Assessment of Communication Skills
Communication Skills Criteria
Uses written language effectively
 Presents the literature in concise manner
 Demonstrates knowledge and uses fielddomain-specific language appropriately
 Produces written communications that are
legible, sensitive, clear, comprehensible, organized, succinct and at a level appropriate
for intended readers/audience
Uses spoken language effectively
 Clear, comprehensible, organized
 Audience-appropriate diction
Delivers information effectively
 Conveys information accurately
 Explains content fully
 Elicits degree to which communications
were understood
 Invites questions, clarification, reactions
 Utilizes effective education strategies
Uses computer technology effectively
 Uses bibliographic databases as a resource
for research and problem solving
 Demonstrates knowledge of and uses word
processing effectively
 Uses computer for communication
Communicates with audience effectively
 Attentively
 Non-judgmentally
 Patiently
 Accurately interprets the questions and responses from audience
Beginner
The beginner/novice
student will satisfy criteria for effective communication in written
communications of an
informal nature, such as
descriptive reports and
notes. The student will
demonstrate competence
in oral communications
in one-on-one settings,
such as with an individual team member or
faculty member. In
those settings, the content of the encounter
should be relatively free
of highly charged issues.
Levels of Achievement
Intermediate
The intermediate student will meet the criteria for effective communication in written
communications of a
formal nature, such as
essay exams, term papers, and formal reports.
The student will demonstrate competence in
oral communication in
the context of small
groups. The student
should be able to integrate critical reasoning
into the work and show
effective communication skills. The student
should be able to make
associations, analysis of
the content, and evaluation of eventual results.
Advanced
The advanced student
will meet the criteria for
effective communication in written communications of publication
quality, such as a manuscript, dissertation, or
grant proposal. The student will demonstrate
competence in oral
communication in the
context of large groups
and formal presentations, such as a professional meeting. In those
settings the student
should show analytical
and critical thinking
abilities, evaluation and
creation of new
knowledge.