Rules For Constructing Essay Questions
1. Use essay questions to measure complex learning outcomes only. The essay test should be reserved for those situations that require the student to give reasons, explain relationships, describe data, formulate conclusions, or in some other way produce the appropriate answer. Where supplying the answer is vital, a properly constructed restricted-response question is likely to be most appropriate. At the synthesis and evaluation levels of learning, the essay answer provides unique information. It is difficult to write an appropriate question right at the beginning of an essay. Usually, students can formulate the correct inquiry only when the whole essay is complete. You may offer best dissertation writing services to help your students polish their skills in constructing essay questions.
2. Relate the questions as directly as possible to the learning outcomes being measured. One practical solution is to indicate to the students the criteria (the rubric) to be used in evaluating the answer. For example, a parenthetical statement such as the following might be added: “Your answer will be evaluated in terms of its comprehensiveness, the relevance of its arguments, the appropriateness of its examples, and the skill with which it is organized.” This clarifies the task to the students without limiting their freedom, and makes the item easier to relate to clearly defined learning outcomes. It is hard to overestimate the value of correctly set criteria. This is relevant not only for questions but the whole task too. When a student feels confused, it is natural for them to ask someone more proficient: “make a essay for me,” and they will be eligible to do that.
3. Formulate questions that present a clear task to be performed. Complex achievement is most apt to be called forth by such words as “why,” “describe,” “explain,” “compare,” “relate,” “ contrast,” “ interpret,” analyze,” “criticize,” and “evaluate.”
4. Provide ample time for answering and suggest a time limit on each questions. Time
must be allowed for thinking as well as for writing and generous time limits should be
provided. It may also be desirable to indicate page or word limits. Anything that will
clarify the form and scope of the task without interfering with the intended outcomes is
likely to contribute to more effective measurement. The better clarification of the task will be, the more students will avoid frustration and exclaims like: “someone, please write my essay for me!” which will contribute to the understanding of the subject. Make sure that everyone understands the task properly.
5. Make the assessment criteria explicit. It is useful to identify in advance the characteristics of a good response so that students know what they have to aim for. The criteria should be clear, concise and specific. They should also be achievable so that students feel they have a chance of success. Criteria that are too vague or too demanding are likely to lead to discouragement and a feeling of unfairness. To avoid bad grades and for your essay you should use custom writing service. This will give you a great learning advantage and a chance to improve your writing skills.
6. Make the instructions for completing the assessment task as clear as possible even if you decide to use the services college paper writing. Students should know exactly what is required of them and how their work will be judged. This includes specifying the format in which the task is to be completed (e.g. essay, report, oral presentation, portfolio) and any required elements (e.g. reference list, bibliography, appendices).
Essay Question Checklist
- An essay question is the most appropriate method for measuring the intended learning outcome (e.g., organize, integrate, and express ideas).
- The item task matches the learning task being measured (e.g., “using appropriate examples…”).
- The question measures complex learning outcomes (e.g., “compare,” “analyze,” or “explain”).
- The question makes clear what is being measured and how the answer will be evaluated.
- Terminology clarifies and limits the task (e.g., “describe” not “discuss,” and “in one sentence”).
- Ample time has been allowed for each question.
- The limited sampling and time-consuming scoring of the essay topic is offset by the in-depth information obtained about student understanding.
- The question has clear criteria for evaluating the answer (e.g., scoring key, model answers, or standards).