Strategy 4: Dividing assignments into multiple stages
- Katrina Casey Kosyk, Miss
- Rachel Hall
- Donna Wong
Multi-stage assignments require that two or more components of an assignment be submitted sequentially, that is, at staggered due dates throughout the term. A multi-stage assignment can mean that students submit at least one draft of a written assignment for feed back and feed forward comments before the final paper is due. It can also mean that an assignment is broken into several component parts (e.g., outline, working thesis, introduction), with each component or selected components receiving feed back and feed forward comments prior to the next submission.
In this article:
Why assign multi-stage assignments?
Allowing students to submit components of a writing assignment or whole drafts prior to submitting a single completed assignment has several benefits:
Students gain a better understanding of the writing task because the different stages of the assignment are made explicit.
Students can use comments on one component of the assignment to improve subsequent components (feed forward).
The potential for producing better quality work is enhanced when students are precluded from writing entire assignments the night before they are due.
Instructors can save time providing comments on the final submission if students have already received comments at intermediate stages.
How can this strategy be implemented?
Preparation
Itemize the different components of the writing assignment students will have to complete. For example, a research paper might include:
An introductory paragraph
A one- or two-sentence argumentative thesis
Body paragraphs that provide evidence to support the thesis
In-text citations that serve as evidence or support
A concluding paragraph
A list of references, works cited or bibliography
Consider which components will be submitted in stages. Ask yourself:
What would be most useful for your students to learn?
Where would your students benefit most from feedback?
What do your students typically struggle with?
Where do you think feed forward would have the biggest impact?
Decide which components you will give comments on and which components peers would be able to comment on. In the latter case, provide students with guidelines for this task. (Guidelines can be found in Peer assessment of other students’ assignments.)
Plan submission dates keeping in mind that students should have enough time to receive and incorporate comments before submitting a subsequent stage.
Procedure
Explain to your students what your rationale is for having them do a multi-stage assignment.
Provide students with detailed assignment instructions. (See examples below.)
Provide students with explicit grading criteria for each stage of the assignment.
Examples
We offer two examples of instructions for staged assignments—a 5-stage research paper and 2-stage essay.
Research Paper
This example illustrates instructions for a multi-stage research paper assignment. The different stages allow for various types of feedback. Note that the assignment can be tailored to your teaching context. For example, you may wish to implement only three of the five stages, such as the Pre-research, Working thesis, and Research paper stages.
Instructions for students
Rationale for this multi-stage research paper
The research paper is broken down into several stages to help you:
Learn to comfortably navigate the primary literature.
Formulate the question that you want to answer in your paper.
Contribute a research synthesis to the field of ecological science.
You will receive feedback on different stages—either from your instructor or from peers—so that you can refine your work throughout the term and produce a quality paper by the end of the term.
Stage 1: Pre-research
Select a topic. Describe the topic and known facts or information about the topic. List questions based on known information. Submit this information through the Assignments tool in myCourses by Oct. 10. You will not receive feedback, but it is a requirement to submit this stage if you would like to receive feedback and a grade on the rest of the assignment.
Stage 2: Research prospectus
A research prospectus is a preliminary plan of your investigation. Include a working research question (e.g., What are the implications of biological clocks for our daily lives?). Address why this question is important (e.g., The question is important because biological clocks can affect a person’s ability to earn a living.). Indicate sources you think will be useful for this investigation. Submit the prospectus through the Assignments tool in myCourses by Oct. 17. You will receive feedback before you submit the Annotated bibliography.
Stage 3: Annotated bibliography
An annotated bibliography offers brief descriptive and evaluative paragraphs of your sources. Examples are available in writing handbooks—hard copy and online. You can also speak to a librarian if you need help understanding what an annotated bibliography is. Include 4-5 sources in your annotated bibliography. Describe the main points and how they are relevant to your proposed question. Indicate why you think they are reliable. Submit the annotated bibliography through the Assignments tool in myCourses by Oct. 31. You will receive feedback before you submit the Working thesis.
Stage 4: Working thesis
A working thesis guides your research, but it is flexible. It evolves as you develop your ideas from the research you are doing. Example working thesis: Biological clocks affect people’s lives. The final thesis statement is likely to be more specific. You will be assigned to an online discussion group in myCourses. Post your working thesis to the discussion group by Nov. 14. Your TA, also in the discussion group, will explain a peer feedback task to everyone in the group.
Stage 5: Research paper
Use the assessment rubric posted to myCourses as a checklist to be sure you are following the criteria. Submit the research paper on Dec. 5, the last day of class. The grade for the paper will appear in myCourses. Email your instructor to set up a meeting if you would like to discuss your work and have the paper returned to you.
Ideas drawn from the following sources.[1][2]
Essay
This example* illustrates instructions for a 2-stage assignment: draft and revision. Comments can be given by peers and/or the instructor.
Instructions for students
Write an essay where you compare [insert topic]. The essay must have:
An introduction that provides readers with context for your argument.
A thesis statement that puts forth your argument.
A roadmap that explains in one or two sentences how you present your argument/organize the paper.
Body paragraphs that address the comparison according to your roadmap.
A conclusion that reiterates the main points and paraphrases the thesis statement.
Write approximately [#] words.
Submit an electronic copy of your essay by 11:59pm on Oct. 2. Follow these submission guidelines:
Your essay will be returned to you with comments. Use these comments to revise your writing. Submit the revision by 11:59 pm on Oct. 23.
*Essay instructions provided by Prof. C. Samuel, McGill University, and adapted with permission.
[1] D'Errico, J., & Griffin, J. (2001). Better student essays through staging and scaffolding. The Centre for Teaching Excellence at the University of Virginia. Retrieved from. Archived at.
[2] University of Minnesota. (n.d.). Guidelines for research paper. Multistage research paper with rubric.