> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://help.timelygrader.ai/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://help.timelygrader.ai/d2l-support-articles/assignments/creating-rubrics.md).
# Creating Rubrics on TimelyGrader
Create, reuse and manage rubrics, either manually or generated by TimelyGrader Rubric Generator.
Ever heard of us talking about darts and the bulls-eye? Well, rubrics control the initial flight path so here's how we can help you create one. You can write a rubric manually, controlling every criterion and rating, or let us generate a starting rubric from your assignment description.
There are two places to create one:
* **The Rubrics page** is best for building rubrics ahead of time or reusing them across assignments.
* **Assignment setup** is best for a rubric specific to one assignment.
## Option 1: Create a rubric from the Rubrics page
{% stepper %}
{% step %}
### Create a new rubric
Go to the **Rubrics** tab and click **+ New Rubric**. You will be presented with three options: 1) Use Existing 2) Create with AI or 3) Create Manually.
{% endstep %}
{% step %}
### If you already have a rubric, pick 'Use Existing'
This option allows you to recreate rubrics that you have saved in a PDF. Especially helpful for instructors who don't like to put the rubric on D2L and prefer to save their rubrics in a document.
You will be able to either upload your document containing your rubric or just copy and paste it in. Hit 'Generate' and TimelyGrader will try to recreate your rubric as much as possible.
{% endstep %}
{% step %}
### Creating rubrics with AI
If you'd like us to help you get started with creating a rubric, use the Create with AI option. You will need to contribute your Assignment Title and Description so we know what the students are supposed to do. You can also customize the rubric with the number of criteria you'd like to have, the max score for each criterion, and how many rating levels you want. Once you have set the parameters you want, hit 'Generate'.
{% hint style="success" %} **Hugo’s tip:** Already know your criteria? Select **Specify my own criteria** to give each criterion a title and description.
{% endhint %}
{% endstep %}
{% step %}
### Like doing it the manual way? You've got it.
Using the Create Manually option, you will need to create all the criteria and ratings by yourself.
{% endstep %}
{% step %}
### Review generated rubrics and save.
Click **Create Rubric** and confirm you have reviewed all AI-generated information.
{% hint style="info" %}
Rubrics created on the Rubrics page are saved as templates you can use in any assignment. The Rubrics page is available from the Course Lobby and from inside every course, so rubrics are easy to reuse across courses.
{% endhint %}
{% endstep %}
{% endstepper %}
## Option 2: Create a rubric during assignment setup
{% stepper %}
{% step %}
### When assignments do not have rubrics, you will be asked to add one.
Under Assignment Rubric, you will be able to 'Add a Rubric'.
You will be prompted to select a rubric from the rubric library or create a new one.
{% endstep %}
{% step %}
### If you choose to create a new rubric
Everything is the same except for the Create with AI option. Since we already have an Assignment Description, you will not need to input that field. The other parameters will be here for you to customize.
{% endstep %}
{% step %}
### Save the rubric and you are ready to go!
{% endstep %}
{% endstepper %}
## Make a rubric that's AI friendly
The rubric sets the flight path for every grading suggestion, so a clear rubric pays off:
* Start with **3 to 5 rating levels**, and avoid levels that overlap, such as “Does a great job of X” and “Does a fair job of X”.
* Describe what each level looks like in observable terms, for every level, not just the top one. If you just describe what the top rating looks like, AI still doesn't know what a worse one looks like.
* Keep each criterion to one distinct aspect of the work.
* Try the rubric on a few submissions at different performance levels before running it on the whole class.
{% hint style="success" %} **Hugo’s tip:** If you can’t tell two bands apart, neither can a human grader, and neither can TimelyGrader. AI doesn't magically know how you think, you need to calibrate it.
{% endhint %}
More in [Building rubrics that are clear, consistent, and free of error](/user-guides-get-started-here/rubrics.md).
## Related articles
* [AI Rubric in Assignment Setup](/d2l-support-articles/assignments/ai-rubric.md)
* [Advanced: Customizing Feedback](/d2l-support-articles/assignments/customizing-feedback.md)
* [How to Grade Submissions with TimelyGrader](/d2l-support-articles/assignments/grade-submissions.md)
**Hugo’s tip:** Already know your criteria? Select **Specify my own criteria** to give each criterion a title and description.
{% endhint %}
