How to develop a high stakes writing assignment:

  • Make sure your high-stakes formal written assignment(s) is aligned with your course goals.
  • Review the College-wide assessment page to see what competencies your course is responsible for depositing into e-Portfolio, then check to see that your assignment can be read against the relevant rubric(s).   
  • Provide a written explanation of the assignment that includes: the topic or question; the due date and penalty for lateness; the required length; the documentation style; and formatting requirements.
  • Be specific: test the clarity of your assignment by drafting a response and / or reflecting on what "successful" work looks like.
  • Use low-stakes exercises to build student competency towards the expectations of the formal assignment.
  • If possible, show students examples of an "A" paper from a prior semester.
  • Revise your assignments if you are dissatisfied with the quality of the work you received.

Please see the select samples of high-stakes assignments provided by former faculty participants.