Deputy Principal
Mr Simon Vaughan, Deputy Principal
The importance of drafting in the assessment process
Over the past four weeks, there has been a substantial number of students on Assessment Support Group for not handing in complete or late drafts. As per the Assessment Policy at St Stephen’s, drafts are compulsory. Drafting plays a crucial role in the assignment process for school students and below are some key reasons why:
- Cohesive Text Development: During the drafting stage, students expand upon their initial ideas and plans. They explore their topic, considering purpose, audience, genre, and content. This exploration leads to a more cohesive text, where ideas are organised into a meaningful sequence or flow.
- Refining Ideas and Structure: Drafting allows students to clarify and modify their content. As they write, they can refine their arguments, add supporting evidence, and adjust their structure. This process helps them create a well-organised and coherent assignment.
- Connecting with Audience: Drafting encourages students to think about their audience. When they know who will read their work, they can tailor their writing accordingly. This connection with the audience enhances the overall quality of the assignment.
- Developing Writing Skills: The act of drafting helps students hone their writing skills. They learn how to express their thoughts clearly, use appropriate vocabulary, and create engaging sentences. These skills are transferable across subjects and essential for lifelong learning.
- Problem-Solving and Creativity: Drafting allows students to encounter challenges and solve them. They might reorganise paragraphs, revise sentences, or find better examples. This problem-solving process fosters creativity and critical thinking.
- Teacher Insight and Support: Teachers can assess students' progress during drafting. They identify areas where students struggle and provide targeted feedback. This insight helps students improve their writing and overcome difficulties.
Credit must be given to a number of students who are using the Writer’s Toolbox platform to help draft their work. Writer’s Toolbox uses AI to generate feedback to students and is a very easy way for students in Yr 7 to 9 to obtain feedback before submitting their written work to their teacher. Parents can work backwards from the assessment calendar due date, so they know when drafts are due for their student. Many drafts must be submitted approximately 1.5 weeks before the due date. Overall, drafting empowers students to refine their ideas, connect with their audience, and develop essential writing skills. It's a vital step in creating assignments that demonstrate both understanding and creativity.
Please enjoy the mid year break and we look forward to seeing students back at the college in two weeks.
Best wishes,
Simon Vaughan