Essaywhuman?!!!??!

This post concerns two different ways of assessing written essays typically used on contemporary examinations and tests. One method is the use of analytic scoring. Analytic scoring deals largely with a key that details an ideal response in order to judge student competency or proficiency. A second method is holistic scoring, which deals with the assigning of single grade to represent the overall quality of an essay with no regard to any one specific dimension of that essay.

For example, students in a physical education class may be asked to write an essay related to two different types of racket sports after completing a unit on racket sports. The essay question may read as follows:

A friend of yours approaches you wanting to try to start playing a new type of racket sport. Consider two different racket sports covered throughout this unit to assist your friend in making up his mind. In you response, dedicate at least two complete paragraphs (5-7 sentences each) to differentiating between 2 general rules of the games, 2 pieces of equipment used, and one main objective of the games. Additionally predict 2 health (physical, mental, emotional) benefits your friend may acquire from playing one of the sports extensively.

This essay is capable of being scored analytically.

-The student notes 2 applicable (discussed/practiced/played) racket sports = 2 pts each (4 pts)

-The student states 2 differences between the general rules of the two games = 2 pts each difference (4 total)

-The student states a difference between 2 pieces of equipment used in the two games = 2 pts each (4 total)

-The student states a difference between one main objective of the two games = 2 pts

-The student states 2 health benefits (either physical, mental, or emotion) his or her friend may acquire through extensive play = 3 pts each (6 pts)

The essay, as a whole, is worth 20 points.

On the other hand, a different type of essay may require scoring in a holistic manner.

You have a female friend who rushes to the bathroom after, essentially, every meal she eats. It is evident that she also has been working out to an extreme level as of lately. As her friend, you become concerned that she is bulimic. Predict, in a complete paragraph of 5-8 sentences, what would happen if your friend continued without intervention. Include in your discussion an explanation of the physical side effects a bulimic may face with prolonged exposure to the condition and note any social side effects that may occur.

This essay could be scored holistically on a scale of 1 to 5.

1=Essay lacks any mention of the physical and social side effects of prolonged bulimia, poor grammar, spelling and organization.

2=Essay mentions very little physical and social side effects of prolonged bulimia, decent grammar, spelling and organization.

3=Essay adequately covers the physical and social side effects of prolonged bulimia, average grammar, spelling and organization.

4=Essay does an excellent job covering the physical and social side effects of prolonged bulimia, good grammar, spelling and organization.

5=Essay shows superior knowledge of the physical and social side effects of prolonged bulimia, excellent grammar, spelling, and organization.

This essay would be worth just 10 points out of the total exam points to be earned.