Essays & Writing Assignments

Papers and essays are one of those activities that easily cross the line from face to face classes to online courses. At first all that seems to change is how students are turning in their work.

However, papers and essays present new challenges in online courses, where you don’t see your students to clarify expectations or answer questions. For that reason, in online classes, the paper or essay prompt is even more vital.

One good idea in online courses is to break paper components down into milestones (outline, source list, draft, final paper, revision). This ensures you get your eyes on your students’ work prior to the submission of the final paper and can offer corrective guidance if students are off track.

Information and examples below provided by Dr. Meghan Barnes, Assistant Professor in the Department of English at UNC Charlotte.

When to use essay prompts as an assessment tool:

  • To assess students’ knowledge of course content.
  • To assess students’ ability to solve problems, make inferences, draw conclusions, and/or form judgments.
  • When there are a number of possible correct or acceptable answers.

An effective essay prompt should:

  • Set a clear and specific context.
  • Indicate what students are to explain or describe.
  • Point the way to an appropriate response: this should include information about the content of the response, as well as the writing style and/or format.

Sample Essay Prompts

Example #1:

We have been studying the significance of Young Adult Literature (YAL) and its evolution over the past few decades. Based on your understanding of the development of the genre, describe why this evolution is significant and how this changing genre has shaped societal perspectives of adolescence. Be sure to include the following in your response:

  • A clear description of how and when YAL developed as a literary genre.
  • A clear overview of at least four of the major developmental shifts in the genre.
  • A thorough discussion of at least three ways in which the social construct of adolescence has developed in relation to the development of YAL.

Your response should be organized into paragraphs and include references to the texts and topics we have studied in this course.

Breaking down the example:

Criteria

Sample

Set a clear and specific context.

We have been studying the significance of Young Adult Literature (YAL) and its evolution over the past few decades.

Indicate what students are to explain or describe.

Based on your understanding of the development of the genre, describe why this evolution is significant and how this changing genre has shaped societal perspectives of adolescence.

Point the way to an appropriate response.

Be sure to include the following in your response:

  • A clear description of how and when YAL developed as a literary genre.

  • A clear overview of at least four of the major developmental shifts in the genre.

  • A thorough discussion of at least three ways in which the social construct of adolescence has developed in relation to the development of YAL.

Your response should be organized into paragraphs and include references to the texts and topics we have studied in this course.

Example #2:

There are those who contend that global climate change is a naturally occurring phenomenon and others who contend it is caused by the actions of humans. Analyze the evidence we have studied to support each claim. Decide who you think has the stronger argument. Defend your judgment with reasons. In doing so, consider the evidence from geological history, the history and levels of emissions, and the political and economic interests of each side. Your response should be organized into paragraphs and include references to the texts and topics we have studied in this course.

Breaking down the example:

Criteria

Sample

Set a clear and specific context.

There are those who contend that global climate change is a naturally occurring phenomenon and others who contend it is caused by the actions of humans.

Indicate what students are to explain or describe.

Analyze the evidence we have studied to support each claim. Decide who you think has the stronger argument. Defend your judgment with reasons.

Point the way to an appropriate response.

In doing so, consider the evidence from geological history, the history and levels of emissions, and the political and economic interests of each side. Your response should be organized into paragraphs and include references to the texts and topics we have studied in this course.

Reference

Chappuis, J., & Stiggins, R. (2020). Classroom assessment for student learning: Doing it right–using it well (3rd ed.). Pearson Education.