SCORING ESSAY

QUESTION
R E P O RT E R : E LV I E J A N E M A L U B AY

Decide which would likely be more reliably scored.

Example 1:
Some economics recommend massive tax cuts as a
means of controlling inflation. Identify at least two
assumptions on which such a position is based, and
indicate the effect that violating each assumption
might have on inflation. Limit your response to onehalf page. Organize your answer according to the
criteria discussed in class. Spelling, punctuation, and
grammar will be counted in your grade. (8 points)
Example 2:
What effect would massive tax cuts have on inflation?
(100 points)

If you chose the first one, you are catching on.

The first example is different. The task is spelled

out for the students; limits are defined; and the
policy on spelling, punctuation, and grammar is
indicated.
The task for the scorer is to determine whether the
student has included(1) at least two assumptions
underlying the proposition and (2) the likely effect
on inflation if each assumption is violated.

Scoring Extended Response and Higher Level

Questions

Tuckman (1975) has identifies three components that we feel

are useful in scoring high-level essay items: content,
organization, and process.
Content
The information included in an essay-its content-can and
should be scored specifically for its presence and accuracy.
Organization
The essay must have an introduction, body, and conclusion.
You should also decide on a spelling and grammar policy and
develop there criteria.
(table 7.2 in your fact sheet illustrates how organization will
be scored in the sample essay)

 process
The process criteria should attempt to assess both
the adequacy of the solution or decision and the
reason behind it.
Some additional clarification of the criteria follows.
Accuracy and Reasonableness
Completeness and Internal Consistency
Originality and Creativity

General Essay Scoring Suggestions

1. Write good essay items.

2. Use mostly restricted response rather that
extended response item, for in-classroom
assessments.
3. Use a predetermined scoring scheme.
4. Use the scoring scheme consistently.
5. Remove or cover the names on the papers
before beginning scoring.
6. Score each students answer to the same
question before going on to the next answer.

7. Try to keep scores for previous items hidden

when scoring subsequent items.
8. Try to re-evaluate your papers before returning
them.

Well, there you have it ! Eight suggestions for

improving the reliability of essay scoring.

Activity
Directions:
Write G if it is good written essay item otherwise,
write P if it is poorly written essay item.
1. "Americans are a mixed-up people with no
sense of ethical values. Everyone knows that
baseball is far less necessary than food and
steel, yet they pay ball players a lot more than
farmers and steelworkers."
WHY? Use 3-4 sentences to indicate how an
economist would explain the above situation.
2. Identify research methods used to study the S-R
(Stimulus-Response) and S-O-R (StimulusOrganism-Response) theories of personality. (5
pts. 10 minutes)

3. What are the issues in climate change?(100

points)
4. Explain the difference between the S-R
(Stimulus-Response) and the S-O-R (StimulusOrganism-Response) theories of personality.
Include in your answer (a) brief descriptions of both
theories, (b) supporters of both theories and (c)
research methods used to study each of the two
theories. (10 pts. 20 minutes)
5.State the formula for the area of a circle.