Chat GPT Prompt: No Rubric? No Problem!

Sometimes, figuring out exactly what your professor wants from an assignment can feel like trying to solve a puzzle without all the pieces. Assignment prompts can be vague, and rubrics—if they exist at all—might lack the detailed information you need to understand what constitutes a strong submission. In these moments of uncertainty, tools like ChatGPT can be surprisingly helpful. By using the right prompts, you can gain insights into what your professor might expect, even when those expectations aren’t clearly laid out.

In this post, I’ll walk you through a specific ChatGPT prompt you can use to clarify assignment expectations, especially when rubrics are unclear or absent. This prompt will help you look at your assignment from your professor's perspective, giving you a better sense of what skills they’re likely assessing and how they’ll evaluate your proficiency in these areas.

The ChatGPT Prompt

Here’s the blank prompt that you can use:

Blank Prompt:
"I have set my students the topic 'Insert Topic' for their academic assignment.
• List the specific criteria I should use to assess their work.
• I want these criteria to be explicit and focus specifically on what I should expect to see in terms of content.
• Please include examples of things I should be looking for where necessary.
• Generate this in the form of a table, and list in great detail what I should expect to see in an excellent assignment on this topic and explain why these things should be present.
• Additionally, generate a detailed list of what I can expect to see in assignments that do not demonstrate the proficiency of an excellent assignment. Provide detailed explanations as to why these shortcomings indicate the assignment is not excellent."

How This Helps

This prompt helps you step into the shoes of your professor and think about what they’re looking for. It allows you to view the assignment through the lens of the skills being assessed and how your professor might determine whether you’ve demonstrated proficiency in those skills. By considering this, you can adjust your approach to the assignment to make sure you’re hitting the key points that matter most.

For example, you’ll get a clearer idea of:

• The specific criteria your professor is using: What content needs to be included? What level of analysis or critical thinking is expected?

• What distinguishes excellent work from average work: Knowing the difference helps you focus your efforts on the areas that will elevate your assignment.

• How to avoid common mistakes: By understanding what can detract from your assignment’s quality, you can take steps to ensure your work is polished and aligned with expectations.

Using this prompt effectively will give you a detailed blueprint of what to include and what to avoid, helping you produce work that not only meets but exceeds your professor’s expectations.

Final Thoughts

Remember, while ChatGPT can be a helpful tool for clarifying expectations, it’s not perfect. It’s essential to use this as a guide, not a replacement for your course materials or direct communication with your professor. Always double-check with your teacher and review your assignment’s instructions to ensure you’re on the right track.

By thinking from your professor’s perspective and focusing on the skills they are assessing, you’ll be better prepared to approach your assignment with confidence and clarity.