Grade Essays

This guide walks through grading essays and other written assignments using GradingPal’s Writing & Essays assignment type.

---

​

Overview

The Writing & Essays type is designed for:

• Essays and research papers
• Reflections and journals
• Creative writing
• Short answer responses
• Lab reports and written analysis

These are assignments where students express ideas in their own words and you evaluate using a rubric.

---

​

Step-by-Step: Grading Essays

​

1. Create the Assignment

​

2. Create or Import a Rubric

Generate with AI:

1. Click Generate with AI
2. Add custom instructions (e.g., “Align with Common Core writing standards”)
3. Specify number of criteria and levels
4. Review and edit the generated rubric

Reuse an existing rubric:

1. Click Use Existing → Reuse Existing
2. Select from your previous rubrics

Import from a document:

1. Click Use Existing → Import from File
2. Upload your rubric document

Create manually:

1. Click Add Criterion
2. Define criteria like Thesis, Evidence, Organization, etc.

​

3. Configure Feedback Settings

Add Additional Instructions for context:

• “This is a persuasive essay on climate change”
• “Students have read chapters 1-3 of To Kill a Mockingbird”
• “Focus on argumentative structure and use of evidence”

​

4. Upload Student Essays

Upload submissions from:

• Your device (PDF, Word documents)
• Google Drive
• Google Classroom (if connected)

​

5. Review AI Grades

For each essay:

1. Read the AI-assigned rubric scores
2. Review feedback for each criterion
3. Look at the overall feedback summary
4. Adjust scores if needed
5. Edit feedback if you want to add personal comments

​

6. Return to Students

Once reviewed, return the graded essays so students can see their scores and feedback.

Return Submissions

Learn about returning graded work to students

---

​

Sample Essay Rubric

Here’s an example rubric for a standard essay: Each criterion typically has 3-5 levels (e.g., Exemplary, Proficient, Developing, Beginning).

---

​

Tips for Essay Grading

​

Write a Clear Prompt

The more specific your assignment prompt, the better the AI understands what to look for: Vague: “Write an essay about the book.” Specific: “Write a 3-5 paragraph persuasive essay arguing whether Atticus Finch is a hero or a flawed character. Use at least two quotes from the text to support your argument.”

​

Include Context in Additional Instructions

Help the AI understand your expectations:

• What was covered in class related to this assignment
• Specific skills you’re assessing
• Common mistakes to watch for
• Grade level expectations

​

Review a Sample First

Before grading the whole class:

1. Upload 2-3 essays
2. Review the AI grades and feedback
3. Adjust your rubric or instructions if needed
4. Then upload the rest

​

Use Targeted Feedback Style

For essays, Targeted feedback is usually best because it:

• Connects feedback to specific rubric criteria
• Shows students exactly where they earned or lost points
• Provides actionable improvement suggestions

---

​

Common Essay Types

​

Persuasive/Argumentative Essays

Key criteria:

• Clear thesis/claim
• Quality of evidence
• Counterargument consideration
• Logical reasoning

Additional instructions example:

“Evaluate whether the student effectively addresses counterarguments and whether their evidence directly supports their thesis.”

​

Analytical Essays

Key criteria:

• Depth of analysis
• Use of textual evidence
• Interpretation quality
• Connections drawn

Additional instructions example:

“Focus on whether students move beyond summary to provide original analysis of the text.”

​

Research Papers

Key criteria:

• Source quality and variety
• Proper citations
• Synthesis of sources
• Original contribution

Additional instructions example:

“Check for proper MLA citation format. Evaluate whether sources are integrated smoothly into the argument.”

---

​

Handling Special Cases

​

Very Long Essays

For lengthy research papers:

• AI processes the full document
• Consider detailed feedback length
• Review may take slightly longer

​

Creative Writing

For creative pieces:

• Use a rubric focused on craft elements (voice, imagery, structure)
• Consider Glow & Grow feedback style
• Add instructions like “Evaluate creativity and originality alongside technical skill”

​

ESL/ELL Students

Add context in additional instructions:

• “Student is an English language learner; focus feedback on organization and content over minor grammar issues”

---

​

Related Articles

• Set Up Writing & Multi-Media Assignments
• Review AI Scores & Feedback
• Reuse Rubric
• Return Submissions & Feedback