Professors use essay rubrics to grade the essays they assign, typically noting content, organization, mechanics, and overall understanding. Writing evaluation grids. Some instructors view rubrics as an incredible tool for communicating instructor expectations and grading student written work. Critics complain that the rubrics are rigid, unworkable, and do a disservice to student writing. It appears that, as a teaching and grading tool, rubrics are a controversial way of assessing student work. Assessment rubrics. Rubrics allow for faster and more consistent grading. This can be extremely helpful in thinking, which can feel like it needs to be evaluated purely by instinct. A well-defined rubric will make marking reflections systematic and will support you and the reflectors. Rubric.