> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.gradingpal.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Create a writing or essay assignment

> Set up work that is graded against a rubric: essays, reflections, research papers and other written work.

export const updated_0 = "19 September 2026"

export const page_0 = "/teachers/create/writing"

export const label_0 = "Open your dashboard in GradingPal, then select New assignment"

export const href_0 = "https://app.gradingpal.ai/teacher"

export const who_0 = "Teachers and co-teachers"

export const plans_0 = "All plans"

export const where_0 = "New assignment, then the Writing & Essays card"

<Card title="Who can use this?" icon="user-check">
  * **Who:** {who_0}
  * **Plans:** {plans_0}
  * **Where:** {where_0}
</Card>

### Before you start

Have the instructions you gave students, as text or a file. A rubric helps; if you don't have one, the AI drafts it from the instructions and you edit it.

## What you provide, and what you get

You give GradingPal three things: a title, the instructions, and a rubric. The AI returns a level and points per criterion, overall feedback in the style you chose, and comments placed on the student's text. Turn on **Check grammar** and it also lists spelling, grammar, punctuation and capitalisation findings, which never change the score.

The student gets the score, the rubric levels, the feedback and the comments. They never see the AI's analysis.

## Which steps you'll see

In Guided, the steps are **Type**, **Details**, **Rubric**, **Feedback** and **Student work**.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Type">
    Choose **Writing & Essays** under **Open response**.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Details">
    Type an **Assignment title**. Under **Instructions**, choose **Generate with AI** to draft them from a description, **Upload an assignment** to read them from a file, or **Write it yourself**. Students see the instructions on the assignment, and the AI reads them to grade in context.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Rubric, Feedback and Student work">
    These steps are the same for every open-response type. [Set up an assignment with Guided](/teachers/create/guided-setup) walks through them.
  </Step>
</Steps>

In Instant, paste or upload the instructions in **1. Assignment**, add the rubric in **2. Rubric / answer key** or leave it blank, and add the work. [Set up an assignment with Instant](/teachers/create/instant-setup) has the form.

## How to tell it worked

The assignment opens on its **Submissions** tab. Its **Assignment** tab shows the instructions and the rubric, ready to edit.

## If something goes wrong

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="The AI couldn't draft instructions from my file">
    "We couldn't find instructions in that file." Try a cleaner file, or choose **Write it yourself** and paste them.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="The rubric the AI drafted isn't what I meant">
    Edit any criterion or level on the **Rubric** step, or start over with **Reuse existing** from your library or **Import a file**.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

## Related tasks

* [Build a rubric](/teachers/create/build-a-rubric)
* [Set grading rules and feedback](/teachers/create/grading-rules-and-feedback)
* [Grade a writing, presentation or art assignment](/teachers/review/open-response)

<Card title={label_0} icon="arrow-up-right-from-square" href={href_0} horizontal>
  Opens GradingPal on the screen this page describes.
</Card>

<hr />

<p style={{ fontSize: "0.875rem", opacity: 0.75 }}>Last updated {updated_0}</p>

<p>
  <strong>Was this page helpful?</strong>{" "}
  <a href={"mailto:support@gradingpal.com?subject=" + encodeURIComponent("Help page feedback (helped): " + page_0)}>Yes, this helped</a>

  {" · "}

  <a href={"mailto:support@gradingpal.com?subject=" + encodeURIComponent("Help page feedback (problem): " + page_0) + "&body=" + encodeURIComponent("Which of these fits? Couldn't find the step / Didn't match what I see / Missing information / Out of date / Other\n\nTell us more:\n")}>No, something's wrong</a>
</p>

<p style={{ fontSize: "0.875rem" }}>
  <a href={"mailto:support@gradingpal.com?subject=" + encodeURIComponent("Problem with help page: " + page_0)}>Report a problem with this page</a>
</p>