Author an essay question
An essay question is typically authored for:
- Mathematical proofs
- Long answer questions
- Essays
TIP: You can include an algorithm in your essay question! Check out Author an algorithmic question.
TIP: All questions are authored using the Question Editor. Check out Author a question to learn how to access the Question Editor.
To author an essay question
To author an essay question from the Question Editor:
Enter the question statement in the Question Text pane of the Question Editor.
TIP: Check out Use the Visual Editor for details on how to use this toolbar to the fullest to control the visual appearance of your essay question text.
Click Möbius component to select the type of student response for this part of the question.
NOTE: A question can have multiple parts, with each question part using a different type of component. Example — A question could contain two components; the first part using a document upload student response, and the second part a multiple choice student response component.
Click Essay from the list of student response components.
Assign a weight to the component. The default weighting is 1.
TIP: The weight of the component can be any integer greater than 0, and is calculated proportionate to the total of all weights across the question. Example — A question with two components could have the first weighted as 2, and the second weighted as 4. This means that the second component will be worth twice as much as the first when calculating the total grade for the question.
(Optional) Define the maximum number of words that are permitted for the student's essay response. The default maximum word count is 0 (unlimited).
TIP: Explicitly define a maximum word count value, or leave the default value of 0 to permit an unlimited word count.
(Optional) Click the add keyword icon
to define keywords and synonyms. These words are then highlighted within the student's response when you're viewing it from the Gradebook.
TIP: You can define as many keywords and comma-separated synonyms as needed. Define your entries in their respective fields and click Done to add them to your reference list for this essay question.
Click on the keyword to edit it or to edit its associated synonym(s).
Click the remove keyword icon
to delete the defined keyword and its associated synonym(s).
NOTE: Möbius automatically highlights your defined keywords and synonyms while reviewing your student's response through the Gradebook.
This keyword and synonym highlighting is also visible when the student is viewing their graded response from within their Gradebook.
TIP: You can add keywords and synonyms from the Gradebook while reviewing student responses, but keywords and synonyms submitted through the Gradebook don't persist once you've exited the Gradebook. It's recommended that you generate your keywords and synonyms in step 6 while authoring the essay question through the Question Editor.
Click Insert to add this student response component to the question.
The component is inserted into your question.
Click Preview to trial your new question to ensure that it behaves as expected.
TIP: You first have to click the save icon
if you're creating this question from within an Activity Editor. After the question has been saved, you can then click the preview icon
to ensure that your new question behaves as expected.
NOTE: You'll see from the preview that the word count of the essay response is displayed in the bottom right corner. If a maximum word count is configured for the essay question and is reached by the student, the student won't be able to add any additional words to their response.
Click Save to save your new question. Your new question is now stored in the Questions pane of the Content Repository.
TIP: Click the save iconif you're creating this question from within an Activity Editor. This saves your question to the activity and the Content Repository.
Grading details for essay questions
Essay questions appear in the Gradebook but must be manually graded; these question types can't be automatically graded by Möbius.
The Gradebook has a number of grading tools to support you in your review of essay responses.
TIP: Check out Manually grade an essay question.
TIP: You aren't able to author a correct answer or feedback in the essay component. Feedback for the whole question can still be added through the Question Editor.