Identify and differentiate the

different approaches used in scoring

Identification of the approaches used
in scoring
a) Objective Approach
b) Holistic Approach
c) Analytic Approach

Objective Approach
It relies on quantified methods of evaluating
students writing.
Standardize the assessment and make a limit
on the length of the assessment. (count the
first 250 words of the essay)
Have a specific thing to be assessed. (identify
any mistakes in the first 250 words; spelling,
verb tense, vocabulary)
Make a specific score for the assessment.

Holistic Approach
The reader reacts to the students
compositions as a whole and a single score is
awarded to the writing (eg, score 1-4).
The score will have a description of ability.
This technique to grading emphasizes
functional and communicative ability rather
than discrete linguistic ability and accuracy.


Analytic Approach
Raters assess students performance on a
variety of categories which are hypothesized
to make up the skill of writing.


Components Weight
Content 30 points
Organisation 20 points
Vocabulary 20 points
Language Used 25 points
Mechanics 5 points

Differences
Scoring
Approach
Advantages Disadvantages

Holistic



Quickly graded
Provide a public standard that is understood
by the teachers and students
Relatively higher degree of rater reliability
Applicable to the assessment of many
different topics
Emphasise the students strengths rather
than their weaknesses.
The single score
may cover
differences across
individual
compositions.
Does not provide a
lot of diagnostic
feedback

Analytical
It provides clear guidelines in grading in the
form of the various components.
Allows the graders to consciously address
important aspects of writing.
Writing ability is
unnaturally split up
into components.

Objective
Emphasises the students strengths rather
than their weaknesses.

Still some degree
of subjectivity
involved.
Focused on the
negative aspects of
the learners writing
without giving credit
for what they can
do well.