Grading Writing Assignments
Note to Teachers:
- Grading will be easier in the long-run if you read through all of the papers first without marking them. Sort them according to your general reaction: excellent; fine; weak; and so on. Once you have a sense of the general quality of the class's work, begin the actual grading.
- When grading longer compositions and papers, consider spot-grading for grammar and accuracy. Grade a [100-] word section carefully, but stop there. The same sorts of errors tend to repeat themselves throughout a paper. It is not your job as a grader to re-write a composition that was not edited carefully.
Evaluating Writing Assignments
- Preparation and Editing. Has the writer used planning and editing guides as assigned? Has the writer presented information clearly? Has the writer carefully checked and corrected subject / verb agreements, adjective / noun agreements, and gender agreements on all drafts turned in? Has the writer carefully checked and corrected spelling (including accents) on all drafts turned in?
- Vocabulary. Is the vocabulary sufficiently precise, elaborate, and appropriate for the topic, considering the course level?
- Grammar and Syntax. Is the writer adequately applying the grammatical rules s/he has studied? Is the syntax sufficiently complex and French? Has the writer used French sentence structure learned so far, or do sentences seem to be translated directly from English into French? Do errors obscure meaning?
- Content and Style. Has the writer understood and addressed the topic assigned? Is the content interesting and rich enough for the student's level? Is the topic addressed in sufficient depth and detail? Do sentences (paragraphs, ideas) flow logically? In specific writing genres (letters, essays, reviews, explications de texte, etc.), are specific organizational elements used appropriately (topic sentences, transitions, introductions, conclusions, salutations, etc.)? Does the writer show awareness of the real and/or implied reader's needs? Are tone and register appropriate to the writing sample and its reader?
Suggested Grading Grid
(1-10 points per category)|
mid A
|
mid B
|
mid C
|
mid D
|
mid F
|
|
| Preparation and Editing |
9.5
|
8.5
|
7.5
|
6.5
|
5.5
|
| Vocabulary |
9.5
|
8.5
|
7.5
|
6.5
|
5.5
|
| Grammar and Syntax |
9.5
|
8.5
|
7.5
|
6.5
|
5.5
|
| Content and Style |
9.5
|
8.5
|
7.5
|
6.5
|
5.5
|
Total: _______
/ 40 = ________
Elementary-Level Classes
In elementary-level classes where writing assignments are relatively short and straight-forward, you may wish to emphasize accuracy over content and organization:
(1-10 points in grammar and vocabulary; 1-5 points for organization
and content)
|
mid A
|
mid B
|
mid C
|
mid D
|
mid F
|
|
| Vocabulary |
9.5
|
8.5
|
7.5
|
6.5
|
5.5
|
| Grammar |
9.5
|
8.5
|
7.5
|
6.5
|
5.5
|
| Preparation, Organization, Content and Style |
4.8
|
3.8
|
2.8
|
1.8
|
.8
|
Total: _______ / 25 = ________
For Further Information
See Descriptive Grading of Compositions.
Copyright 1998 by Cheryl Krueger
Department of French
University of Virginia
