What is analytic scoring in the context of writing assessment?

Analytic scoring is a method of evaluating writing that focuses on assessing specific, discrete features of a student’s work rather than providing a single overall score. This approach breaks down the writing assessment into various components such as organization, content, style, grammar, and mechanics. By doing so, it allows educators to identify the strengths and weaknesses in individual areas, which can provide more detailed feedback to students. This results in a more comprehensive understanding of a student's writing abilities, guiding both instruction and improvement efforts effectively. Instead of simply summarizing performance with one score, analytic scoring highlights particular aspects that can be targeted for growth or enrichment.