It is that time in the semester when I have to grade writing assignments. I am still refining this process and would like to ask if you can share some of your best practice tips for getting the job of grading writing assignments accurately and timely.
Many thanks,
Debra
Evaluating writing is complex and subjective. Writing must be scrutinized from multiple perspectives. This means using a rubric with multiple categories of evaluation.
I am very fond of the "6plus1 Traits" model, which I have attached. I have adapted this model to evaluation of other skills also. The categories are determined by your outcome goals for the project, and then you define what different point levels mean.
In my opinion, it's important to check whether he/she got the goal or purpose of writing assignments.
I usually employ 10 items to grade my writing assignments:
1. If the main claim is clearly specified at the beginning and the end of the work.
2. The quality of the data (information: books, magazines, what other people think or beleieve, observation). employed to build arguments.
3. If the topic (main idea) of each paragraph is related to the main topic or claim.
4. The evidence-based claims: if each argument (what it is believed) is properly supported.
5. The evidence-based claims are relevant.
6. Vocabulary.
7. Coherence
8. Cohesion.
9. Spelling.
10. Originality of the ideas or in expressing them.
I follow and use a generic Rubric among many available out there. The way I apply may vary. For example, if my students are not native English speakers and their studies are not in humanities, I give less importance to grammar.
Even so, it seems impossible to be 100% objective. For example, from the example of Luisa Isabel, take "Coherence". Suppose that you your Rubric has 0 to 5 points. Point 3 must indicate 50% of coherence. But this task of assigning an exact mark cannot escape my subjective judgement.
check
1) whether the content conveys the actual answer/solution of the question
2) vocabulary, spelling and clarity of writing
3) whether the context is supported with proper diagram if needed
4)whether the data is validated with other reliable sources (if it can be validated)
5)If it is a numerical assignment, check whether the student has used any new method or any other efficient method to solve the problem
6) whether the context is written in proper order
7)whether the context is supported with proper examples
8)whether the context reflects any idea that can be applied to real life problems
9)originality of the writing
My strategy is to act in advance:
clearly stating within the text of the assignment not only what are the goals of it but also the criteria that I will be using for the evaluation (some people might want to declare how the criteria get weighted too). In this way the students will understand the rationale of the evaluation and, most important thing, I can increase the possibilities to get assignment aligned with the expectations.
Then, what I do is to prepare a table within an excel sheet: one assignment per line and the criteria as columns and a final column for the total score. In addition to this, one or two additional columns explaining the main rationale of the grading (why it deserved a good grade or why there's a need to improve). In this way, I can easily handle requests from the students questioning their evaluation even though a big time has passed by.
I hope you guys may find this approach useful for your assignments too.
Regards
Ilaria
I think it is important to check if the student knows how to write well. To see the level of achievement, I always use rubrics
I tend to use a small number of criteria and mark holistically. You have enough experience to be able to use your judgement consistently and need to trust yourself on that. An example of the statements used to achieve excellent is below - in the attachment you can see the whole assessment as issued for context:
· The essay introduction identifies and clearly articulates unambiguous aim(s) and draws relevant conclusions fully addressing the aim(s), covering in depth all the issues in resolving the problem ensuring sound assumptions where required with an extremely robust and detailed justification for the proposed solution.
· The essay is presented with a logical structure and to a professional standard including correct spelling and typing, appropriate use of language and extremely thorough proof reading.
· Correct citation of references is used when supporting observations and comments from further reading to support arguments using Harvard; wide range of relevant and authoritative reading sources and all references correctly linked to citations within the text.
Answers of A+ will demonstrate exceptional achievement in at least one of the above
For the online assessment the rubrics is works great.
Hope it helps
Thanks
- Badges
- Science topic
- Similar topics
- Theoretical Physics
- Time