The sweetness of lips increases learning... Proverbs 16:21

What is Evaluation?

Goals of Evaluation

Evaluation Tools

Pre-requisites for Effective Evaluation

1. Recognize elements of good writing.
2. Understand and teach that writing is communication.
3. Provide models of good writing for your students.

Learn to Recognize Good Writing

Read well-written essays and books. Syndicated editorial columnists provide excellent essay models in your daily newspapers (local writers are not necessarily as competent).

Read Strunk and White's Elements of Style once a year with your students.

Writing is Communication

Writing is a conversation between readers and writers.

Teach with Models

You must SHOW, don’t just tell!

Your student should own a writers handbook and know how to use it (Write for College, Writers, Inc., or other)

The Charlotte Mason Teaching Sequence-

You'll find this sequence outlined in my Teaching Language Arts audio workshop . It works for any age!

• Copywork
• Narration
• Dictation
• Composition
  Each builds upon the other, for a strong writing foundation.


Important: Teach essay writing step by step-- don't expect essays if you haven't laid a foundation!

• My favorite resource for teaching essay writing: The Elegant Essay by Lesha Myers
• Student sample papers can be found at: www.thewritesource.com/models.htm

Standards Make Evaluation Simple

1. Ideas and Concepts
2. Organization
3. Voice
4. Word Choice
5. Sentence Fluency
6. Mechanics
7. Presentation

The Evaluation Sequence

There should be two evaluations-

Rough Draft

Evaluate only first two traits for the rough draft.

Do a quick read-through to get an overall impression.

Five things to check:

• Assignment details (word count, essay question answered…)
• Overall impression
• Thesis, Body, Conclusion
• Quality of content
• Clarity of organization

Second/Final Draft

• Check everything you checked for the first draft.
• Check style and mechanics traits.

Remember the goals!

*If you're still unsure about how to evaluate, you may want to find an Independent Writing Evaluator through www.NAIWE.com - the National Association of Independent Writers and Editors. If you are an editor or independent writing evaluator, you may want to join NAIWE so that prospective clients can easily find you.

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A Sample Rubric for High School Writing

Ideas and Content

• Strong thesis
• Holds reader’s attention
• Relevant anecdotes; details enrich central theme

Organization

• Enhances and showcases thesis
• Is compelling and moves reader through the text
• Text support (quote blending) is smooth

Word Choice

• Words convey the intended message.
• Words are precise, interesting, and natural; also powerful and engaging.

Sentence Fluency

• Sentences have an easy flow, rhythm, and cadence.
• Sentences are well built, with strong, varied structure.

Voice

• Speaks directly to reader.
• Individual, compelling, and engaging.
• Shows awareness of and respect for the audience and purpose of the writing
  

Conventions

• Shows a good grasp of standard writing conventions (e.g., spelling, punctuation, capitalization, grammar, usage, paragraphing).
• Uses conventions effectively to enhance readability.
• Errors tend to be few; minor touch-ups needed.