Commenting On & Grading Student Writing: A Workshop for Teaching Assistants

Teaching assistants new to grading and commenting will have opportunities to become familiar with strategies and resources supporting effective and efficient practices. Seasoned teaching assistants looking for a tune-up are welcomed as well.

Wednesday, August 28 - Thursday, August 29
1:00 - 4:00 p.m. - Location TBA
Cost: FREE

Important information related to registration:

• registration is required


• registrants are expected to attend both afternoon sessions


• TAs must register themselves


• a letter of participation will be provided for those who complete the workshop

Participants will...

• become familiar with the attributes of MINIMAL marking


• practice commenting on a diverse sampling of student writing


• recognize the functions of comments in provoking revision


• discuss methods for identifying and using fair grading criteria and for working with criteria supplied by others


• practice assigning grades to an array of of student writing from social sciences sciences, humanities, etc.


• learn strategies recommended by a panel of experienced TAs

This workshop has been well received by graduate students in the past; many indicate that it provided them with pragmatic, foundational response practices.

Please forward this message to any interested graduate student TAs.