What characteristic best defines a holistic rubric vs. analytical rubric?

• A. Focus on detailed error analysis
• B. Judgment based on an overall impression
• C. Strict adherence to multiple criteria
• D. Assessment of individual components separately

Answer: (B)

A holistic rubric is defined by its focus on providing a general assessment of a student's work based on an overall impression, rather than evaluating specific components in detail. This approach allows teachers to judge the quality of the work as a whole, providing a broader perspective on the student's abilities and performance. Holistic rubrics often provide a single score or descriptive feedback that captures the essence of the work rather than breaking it down into individual parts.

In contrast, analytical rubrics emphasize the assessment of different criteria separately, evaluating specific aspects of the performance individually. This means that while a holistic rubric seeks to capture an overall impression within a single score, an analytical rubric provides a more detailed breakdown of strengths and weaknesses across multiple dimensions of the assignment. Consequently, the choice highlighting judgment based on an overall impression accurately encapsulates the primary characteristic that distinguishes holistic rubrics from analytical ones.