TYPES OF ESSAY ITEMS

Reporter: Jonathan B. Bulawan BSE-Social StudiesChrist the King College, Calbayog City

• Extended Response Essay

• Restricted Response Essay

TWO TYPES OF ESSAY ITEMS

An essay test that allows the students to determine the length and complexity of the response.

-Kubiszyn & Borich 2007

Extended Response Essay

Extended Response Essay Advantages

Demonstrate learning outcomes at the synthesis and evaluation levels.

Evaluate the answers with sufficient reliability to provide useful measures of learning.

Provides more freedom to give responses to the question and provide creative integration of ideas.

Extended Response Essay Disadvantages

More difficult to construct extended response essay questions.

Scoring is time consuming than restricted response essay.

Examples of Extended Response Essay

Questions:1. Present and describe the modern theory of evolution and discuss how it is supported by evidence from the areas of (a) comparative anatomy, (b) population genetics.

2. From the statement, “Wealthy politicians cannot offer fair representation to all people.” What do you think is the reasoning of the statement? Explain your answer.

An essay item that places strict limits on both content and the response given by the students.

Restricted Response Essay

In this type of essay the content is usually restricted by the scope of the topic to be discussed and the limitations on the form of the response is indicated in the question.

Examples of Restricted Response Essay

Questions:1. List the major facts and opinions in the first state of the nation address (SONA) of Pres. Benigno Aquino, Jr. Limit your answer to one page only. The score will depend on the content, organization and accuracy of your answer.

2. Point out the strengths and weaknesses of a multiple choice type of test. Limit your answer to five strengths and five weaknesses. Explain each answer in not more than two sentences.

GUIDELINESS in CONSTRUCTING ESSAY TEST ITEMS

1. Construct essay questions used to measure complex learning outcomes only.

2. Essay questions should relate directly to the learning outcomes to be measured.

3. Formulate essay questions that present a clear task to be performed.

4. An item should be started precisely and it must clearly focus on the desired answer.

5. All students should be required to answer the same question.

6. Number points and time spent in answering the question must be indicated in each item.

7. Specify the number of words, paragraphs or the number of sentences for the answer.

8. The scoring system must be discussed or presented to the students.

CAN YOU GIVE AN EXAMPLE OF ESSAY ITEMS?

Hello, My Name is Baymax.

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On your book, page 63, see:

TYPES of COMPLEX OUTCOMES AND RELATED TERMS for WRITING ESSAY QUEASTIONS TABLE

Advantages of Essay Test#Essay Test

It is easier to prepare and less time consuming compared to other paper and pencil tests.

It measures high-order thinking skills. (analysis, synthesis and evaluation).

It allows students’ freedom to express individuality in answering the giving question.

The students have a chance to express their own ideas in order to plan their on answer.

It reduces guessing answer compared to any of the objective type test.

It presents more realistic task to the student.

It emphasizes on the integration and application ideas.

Disadvantages of Essay Test#Essay Test

It cannot provide an objective measure of the achievement of the students.

It needs so much time to grade and prepare scoring criteria.The scores are usually not reliable most especially without scoring criteria.

It measures limited amount of contents and objectives.

Low variation of scores.

It usually encourages bluffing.

#Essay Test

Some Suggestions for Grading Essay Test

1. Decide on a policy for dealing with incorrect, irrelevant or illegal responses. 2. Keep scores of the previously read items out of sight.3. The student’s identify should remain anonymous while his/her paper is being graded.

6. Read and evaluate each students answer to the same question before grading the next question.

5.Use analytic scoring or holistic scoring.

4. Write your comments on theirpapers.

#Essay Test

Checklists for Evaluating Essay Questions

YES NO

The test item is appropriate for measuring the intended learning outcomes.The test item task matches with the learning task to be measured.The questions constructed measure complex learning outcomes.

YES NO

It is stated in the questions what is being measured and how the answers are to be evaluated.Te terminology used clarifies and limits the task.All students are required to answer the same question.

YES NO

There is an established time limit to answer each question.Provisions for scoring answers are given (criteria, for evaluating answers)

End!!!Thank You! ;)

#daydreamer26

Source: Assessment of Learning -

1By: Yonardo A. Gabuyo