Create an exemplar

At a glance

Explore the benefits and considerations of using exemplars to clarify assessment standards for students, particularly those developing academic English skills. Discover practical tips for creating effective exemplars and see a worked scenario showing how an annotated essay introduction can be used in active learning activities.

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Exemplars illustrate assessment standards as examples of best or worst practice of an assessment. They are designed to assist students to increase their understanding of particular skills, content or knowledge.

Exemplars are a powerful tool for demonstrating assessment criteria to students who may struggle with understanding Academic language.

Benefits

  • Ensures transparent communication of criteria and standards for an assessment piece.
  • Exemplars can be used as a form of feedback to identify common misconceptions.
  • Evidence suggests there is a desire from students to have exemplars.
  • Creates a better sense of coherence and integration in complex assessment pieces.
  • Studies have shown that the use of exemplars results in improved marks

Considerations

  • Creating exemplars from scratch can be very time consuming.
  • Using past student papers requires consent and de-identification.
  • Providing exemplars may suppress creativity as students attempt to imitate rather than create.
  • Students may replicate content from the exemplar in their own responses.

Tips for creating exemplars

  • Use multiple exemplars across a range of grades.
  • Annotate the exemplar to indicate how it satisfies the stated criteria for the assessment.
  • Review the exemplars as a class activity.
  • Use past papers from students to minimise the preparation time (you will need to seek permission and de-identify the assessment).
  • Avoid the use of model answers as they may represent unrealistic and potentially unachievable expectations for current students.
  • Where a particular skill is being demonstrated the exemplar provided should not be directly related to the current course content.
  • Provide clear expectations around the use of exemplars and requirements for academic integrity.

Student Academic Success provides annotated samples of assessments within different faculties, to educate students about what to expect in the types of assignment common in each Faculty.  These also could be used as a form of exemplars.