Introduction: Why Easy Grading Matters
When I began teaching writing, I didn’t grade student work. I didn’t want my students paralyzed by the prospect of a bad grade or afraid to try something new and potentially exciting in their writing. So I didn’t grade. I gave copious feedback and coaching and relied on — well — the desire of the student to learn.
Ask me how that turned out.
Let’s just say that I now have a grading system.
It quickly became apparent that kids used the looming grade as motivation to complete their work and implement the feedback they received in strong revisions. There was just no getting around it: grades were here to stay.
I created rubrics for every assignment so that there would be a less subjective quality to the resulting grade. I wanted my students to feel empowered and more in control of the outcome.
The Benefits of Easy Grading for Writing
Despite having a grading system in place, I still don’t believe in traditional grading for written work. To foster growth, a writing student needs to feel free trying new things and discovering what suits their style best. Experimentation and discovery are critical — but they rarely happen when students worry that a poor grade might result.
Key benefits of easy grading for writing include:
- Encouraging experimentation: Students feel free to play with voice, word usage, and style.
- Focusing on learning over perfection: Students prioritize growth and development instead of stress over points.
- Recognizing effort and improvement: Points for improvement ensure students see the value of persistent work.
- Maintaining motivation: Grades still provide accountability without stifling creativity.
How I Implement Easy Grading
- Virtually impossible to fail unless directions are not followed.
- Points always given for “improvement and effort.”
- Most students hover at a high B or low A when they put in honest effort.
This generous approach has worked well. Students are happy to try new classes, communicate openly about their assignments, and engage with feedback. The result? I see progress in almost every student I work with.
Why I Prefer Easy Grading in Writing
While strict grading might have a place in math or science, where consistency is key, I am all in for easy grading for writing. This method fosters creativity, experimentation, and meaningful learning. Most importantly, it allows students to see the connection between effort, improvement, and personal growth rather than being paralyzed by the fear of a low grade.