What is the difference between assessment and grading, when it comes to writing? Grading is used to measure student performance but it is not necessarily an accurate indicator of student learning. Assessment and feedback go beyond grading, looking at patterns of student learning and using that data to help students learn more effectively, improving their overall performance in writing.
Good writing skills can be developed over time and with practice, and regular formative assessment plays an important role in this process. Grading is used to measure student performance but it is not necessarily an accurate indicator of student learning. Assessment goes beyond grading, not only looking at patterns of student learning across genres and topics, but also using that data to enhance teaching practices. Evaluation can be carried out by teachers, but students can also evaluate their own performance. They need to understand what they are being evaluated on as well as their own strengths and weaknesses. Combining teacher assessment, peer assessment and self-assessment is a good idea, since this can make teaching writing more interesting and engaging. As a consequence, assessment and feedback helps students learn more effectively, improving their overall performance in writing. The main assessment criteria and detailed descriptors in the writing assessment subscales of the most commonly used genres at CEFR Level B2 and most international exam boards will be presented and analysed.