Create Written Response Questions in the Question Library

Written response (WR) questions require respondents to write detailed answers in response to open-ended questions. Instructors can enable students to respond in multiple sentences, paragraph answers, or mathematical explanations and calculations. Students can also respond in HTML code.

Note: HTML code is sometimes stripped from saved written responses if a student refreshes the page while taking the quiz. As a best practice, encourage students to save a version of their HTML response locally in case they need to refresh the page.

Written response questions are not auto-graded.

Watch how to add an answer key to a written response question

1. On the nav bar, select the Activities menu, then click either Quizzes, Surveys, or Self Assessments. In the example below, we selected Quizzes.
   
2. From the tool navigation, click Question Library.
   
3. Select New.
   
4. Select the question type: Written Response (WR).
5. In the Question Text field, enter your written response question details.
6. If you want students to be able to format their answer, select the Enable HTML Editor for student responses check box.
7. In the Default Points field, enter the points students will receive for answering the whole question correctly.
   
8. From the Options drop-down list, do one of the following:
   
   • To add feedback for the answer, select Add Feedback. Learn about Quiz Question Feedback.
   • To add a hint to the question, select Add Hint. Learn about Quiz Question Hints.
   • To add a short description to the question, select Add Short Description.
   • To add an answer key to assist evaluators in their marking, select Add Answer Key.
     
   • To add a custom size to the response box, select Add Custom Response Box Size.
     
   • To add Initial Text that would appear at the top of the answer box when a student answers the question, select Initial Text.
     
9. To verify your question, click Preview.
10. Click Save.