5. Writing Assessment
Assessment is important in writing; writing assessment refers to the assessment conducted towards writing product. In other word, Assessment means
making judgment towards writing product whether it is good or not, correct or wrong. It evaluates and judges the quality of writing by using assessment
methods and appropriate criteria. There are several ways to assess writing. The most common method is to
use some sort of rubric. Items on the rubric range from the contents, organization until the mechanical aspect. Other forms of writing assessment include checklists
or rating scale. In assessing writing there are several criteria that can be evaluated, for
instance, content, and organization of the idea, punctuation as well as language used in writing. Sara Cushing Weigle in her book, Assesing Writing, wrote 5
criteria of writing assessment, namely: 1.
Content The content of writing should be relevant with the topic of writing. Most
importantly, the idea must be clear and understandable. 2.
Vocabulary To be a writer, they should be able to use the vocabulary correctly. The
vocabulary chosen should be appropriate and easy to understand by the reader.
3. Usage
The grammatical is one of the essential parts in writing because the grammar error can cause the reader misunderstanding of the content and the meaning
of the text. Therefore, good grammar is obviously important to be assessed. 4.
Organization Well organized idea, coherence, cohesive is essential in writing. Ideas must
be clear, supported and organized.
5. Mechanics
Punctuation, capitalization, spelling and paragraphing are the criteria in mechanics of writing.
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The criteria mentioned above are important in writing that should not be ignored in assessing writing. Those criteria have their own sub categories to be
assessed. To sum up, many ways and methods that can be used to assess writing
such as using assessment rubric, rating scale, checklist and etc. Those instruments can be modified with the criteria of assessment based on the rater want and what
aspect wants to be assessed. The instrument chosen should be able to evaluate and assess the writing correctly, reliably and responsibly. More importantly, credible
rater is must to result reliable judgment.
6. Argumentative Writing
Argumentative writing is a genre of writing that allows writers to express their opinion on a topic and support that opinion with strong logic and evidence.
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The main purpose of argumentative writing is to convince the readers that the writer‟ particular view or opinion on a controversial issue is correct and to
persuade the audience to take some sort of action.
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In argumentative writing, a writer attempts to support or defend a position or difference point on with his her
logical arguments, idea and opinion. In order to convince the audience in an argumentation essay, it is important
to provide them with a clear main point and plenty of logical evidence. In writing argumentative, there are some strategies to convince the readers with writers‟
words. Langan gives five strategies for argumentation: a.
use tactful, courteous language b.
point out common ground c.
acknowledge differing viewpoints
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Sara Cushing Weigle, Assessing Writing, New York: Cambridge University Press, 2002, p. 116.
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Suzanne Sweat, Argumentative Essay: Definition, Format Examples, retrieved from: http:study.comacademylessonargumentative-essay-definition-format-examples.html
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Langan, op. cit., p. 326.
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