This document discusses rubrics, which are scoring tools that lay out the criteria and standards used to assess performance or products. Rubrics can be holistic, providing one overall score, or analytic, scoring different dimensions separately. They can also be general, using the same criteria across tasks, or specific, tailored to a single task. Rubrics benefit students by clarifying expectations, providing feedback, and allowing self-assessment. When used for assessment, rubrics should be shared with students beforehand and can provide both grades and guidance for improvement.