Writing Assessment

A teacher reads a student’s essay and gives it a single overall score based on the general impression of quality rather than specific features.

• Analytic assessment

• Holistic assessment

• Primary trait assessment

• Portfolio assessment

A rubric divides writing into several components—organization, grammar, vocabulary, content, and mechanics. Each is rated separately, and the total score is the sum.

• Analytic assessment

• Holistic assessment

• Portfolio assessment

• Self-assessment

In a timed essay test, students are asked to argue for or against a topic. The teacher grades only how effectively each student presents an argument, ignoring grammar or vocabulary.

• Analytic scoring

• Primary trait assessment

• Holistic scoring

• Self-assessment

Throughout the semester, students collect drafts, peer feedback, revisions, and final essays to show their progress over time.

• Holistic assessment

• Analytic assessment

• Portfolio assessment

• Primary trait assessment

After completing an essay, students reflect on their strengths and weaknesses using a checklist about grammar, structure, and coherence.

• Peer assessment

• Self-assessment

• Analytic assessment

• Holistic assessment

Students exchange drafts and use a rubric to give each other comments on organization, grammar, and clarity before final submission.

• Peer assessment

• Self-assessment

• Holistic assessment

• Primary trait assessment

The teacher observes students during prewriting, drafting, revising, and editing stages, giving feedback on their progress at each step.

• Product-based assessment

• Process-based assessment

• Portfolio assessment

• Holistic assessment

A teacher evaluates only the final version of an essay without considering previous drafts or revisions.

• Product-based assessment

• Process-based assessment

• Analytic scoring

• Self-assessment

While assessing a student’s writing, the teacher provides prompts and guidance to see how much help the student needs to improve the text.

• Formative assessment

• Dynamic assessment

• Holistic scoring

• Peer assessment

During the writing course, the teacher gives ongoing written and oral feedback on drafts to help students improve before the final grade is assigned.

• Formative assessment

• Summative assessment

• Holistic scoring

• Primary trait assessment