• Writing Assessment

    Stop wondering if you can be a writer—complete this free assessment to qualify to work with a one-on-one mentor at the Institute.

  • Answer questions and prompts with your natural responses. Your answers to assessment questions help your instructor to tailor your writing program to your individual needs and goals.

    As you fill out your answers, please be aware that you can pause and save your work at any time, by adding your email address at the bottom of this form and clicking the SAVE button. When you are finished, please click SUBMIT.

  • Prompt 1: Focus on Your Expression

    Show us your feeling for words. By filling in the blanks in the paragraph below with your own word choices, you can make it sound like almost anything you want. You might treat it as a mystery or a nature story, happy or sad, for adults or children, all based simply on the words you choose.

    There is no "correct" answer to this section; we are mainly interested in seeing how you express yourself.

    Please fill in the blanks.

  • Prompt 2: Think Like a Child

    A young person would not use the formal style and the same vocabulary as an adult might, when speaking. Answer the question as you imagine a young person would, and give each imaginary speaker an age.

    Example:
    Question: Do you enjoy hiking?
    Age: 8

    Answer: Hiking? Not me. I ride my bike everywhere. I'd ride in the house if my mom would let me. Why would I want to hike anyplace?

  • Question: What is the funniest thing that ever happened to you?

  • Prompt 3: Write from Your Life

    In 250-500 words, tell us about an experience from your childhood. It can be important, amusing, or anything you feel might be interesting. If you do not wish to write about your childhood, write about anything you think would be of interest to a young reader. (No poetry, please.)

    Suggestion: Outline your idea and write the first draft in a separate document; then copy your final draft in the space provided or you can upload your document.

    Grammar and punctuation are important, of course, but our main interest in this prompt is originality, style, and your aptitude for conveying ideas.

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  • Enter your info below so we can let you know your Assessment results. Please note these assessments are reviewed by professional educators (real, live people!); results are not instantaneous.

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  • Please note: The Institute's policy holds that "No sexually explicit, pornographic, or gratuitously violent entries will be accepted." This stands for our contest submissions, assessment submissions, and course assignment submissions.

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