How to Grade Writing Assignments

We know good writing when we read it, but trying to explain why we like it is like trying to explain why we like a particular flavor of ice cream. Good writing engages the reader and makes him or her want to keep reading. It covers the subject well and uses proper mechanics (spelling, grammar, and punctuation). Good writing informs and sometimes even challenges the reader. Above all, good writing says something of significance.

Because defining good writing is difficult, giving a grade to a writing assignment can be a subjective process. What is the difference, for example, between an A paper and a B paper? One student might write the best that he or she can, and it still might not be as good as what another student writes with less effort. What grade should you assign to that first student’s work?

In addition, how can the grades you give reflect a student’s improvement over the course of a year? After all, we hope that the student will be writing better at the end of the year than at the beginning. Writing grades usually have two elements: one is mechanics and the other is coverage of the subject matter. Noting errors in spelling and punctuation is relatively easy. Misused words and awkward sentences may be more difficult to detect. What is most difficult to grade is how well the writer makes his or her point, the organization of the paper, and whether the paper adequately covers the topic.

Beginning with a grade of 100, you might want to take a point off for every misspelled word, punctuation error, or grammatical error. An awkward sentence might count two or three points off. A paragraph that does not flow well or have a clear purpose might cost five to eight points. You can also consider whether the paper is well-expressed but has mechanical errors as opposed to its being poorly expressed but mechanically good. We suggest not giving a grade on the writing assignment until the student finishes the final version of the assignment. Use the rough draft as a teaching opportunity. It is fair to have higher expectations later in the course.

You will probably find it helpful to have an objective person read one or more of your child’s essays and give constructive feedback. You might also consider having your child take a course in writing under someone you trust. If your child does take such a course, you might want to skip the writing assignments in our course for that period of time.

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