HOW TO ASSESS STUDENTS' WRITING TESTS USING "COEMA"

Isn't it possible for learners to achieve 100% in a writing test?

Marking students' writing and giving an "objective" evaluation should be a skill every teacher of English must learn to do.

I wonder why some ELT practitioners tell their students why they can't obtain an A grade or distinction in their essay exams. This statement is unethical and not professional.

Dear ELT teacher, 100% is an obtainable grade in any writing or essay examination.

These are my steps to marking students' write-ups without an atom of mood, idiosyncrasy, and fair justice.

I begin to use the marking scheme approved by the West African Examination Council (WAEC) right from my lower secondary classes. The scheme is acronymed COEMA.

The benefit is that it would help diagnose students on their strengths and weaknesses. I'll explain how!

The full meaning of the C.O.E.MA is:

👉Content (20%)

👉Organization (20%)

👉Expression (40%)

👉Mechanical Accuracy (20%)

📌 CONTENT (20 MARKS)

This is how relevant the ideas of the learners are to the topic question. For instance, if you expect the learner to state at least four ideas, then each idea should be scored 5% totaling 20%.

📌ORGANISATION (20 MARKS)

I assess paragraphing, cohesion and coherence here. Good use of link words, structures, etc. should be awarded, here too.

📌EXPRESSION (40 MARKS)

This is the point where the learners express their language use (diction) and wide range of vocabulary. While marking, don't be "unduly influenced" by mechanical errors such as spelling and punctuation. Be concerned about language and communication. For instance, if the writing is all about "health", the learner is expected to demonstrate words related to health in their essay. This carries the highest mark!

📌MECHANICAL ACCURACY (20 MARKS)

Emphasis must be laid on three aspects: GRAMMAR, SPELLING, and PUNCTUATION. Error-free essays should be awarded a full score (20%). According to the WAEC Marking scheme, a half mark should be deducted if the candidate constitutes any error either in spelling, grammar, or punctuation.

And note, only 20% can be deducted as a penalty even if the candidate constitutes beyond.

If all of these are put into consideration while marking essays, learners will understand where they need to put more effort.

Not only that, it would help teachers to give constructive feedback for the future improvement of their students' writing.

Try to avoid marking randomly without a clear statement of how you arrived at the score.

This is what I call FAIR JUSTICE in students' writing assessments!

THANKS FOR READING!!!

Hammed O. Lawal