> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://examind.gitbook.io/v1/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://examind.gitbook.io/v1/examind-platform/build/assessments/assessment-types/essay-assessments.md).

# Essay Assessments

An **Essay** assessment is a single open-response question. The student writes their answer in the **essay room** — a simple in-browser editor — and **you grade it yourself**. An optional [AI assistant](#the-ai-assistant) can help the student *while they write*; it doesn't grade their work.

## The essay room

The essay room is a straightforward writing editor with the basics:

* **Basic formatting** — bold, italic, underline, and text alignment, plus undo/redo. It's intentionally simple: there are no lists, headings, links, or images.
* **A live word count** against the limit you set; it turns red if the student goes over.
* **Time remaining**, with the student's work **auto-saved** as they go.

## The AI assistant

Alongside the editor, students can chat with an **AI assistant** as they work — to think through ideas, get unstuck, or ask questions about the task. It supports the *process* of writing; **it does not grade the work**. It's on by default, and you stay in control of it:

* **Shape its role** with an **AI system message** — for example, a brainstorming partner, a Socratic tutor that asks questions instead of giving answers, or a subject-matter expert.
* **Turn it off** with **Hide Chat** if you'd rather students work without it.
* **Review the conversations** — a student's chats are saved with their submission, so you can see how they used the assistant when you grade.

## Create an essay assessment

When you build an assessment and choose the **Essay** type, you can configure:

{% stepper %}
{% step %}

### Points & word limit

Set the **points** the essay is worth and the **maximum word count** (default 100).
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

### Instructions

Enter the **instructions** shown to the student in the essay room.
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

### AI assistant (optional)

Leave the assistant on and shape it with an **AI system message** (and choose the **AI model**), or turn it off with **Hide Chat**.
{% endstep %}
{% endstepper %}

## Grading

You grade essays yourself:

* Assign **points** and write an **overall comment**.
* Add **inline annotations** on specific parts of the student's writing.
* Leave **comments on the AI chat**, where the assistant was used.

{% hint style="info" %}
There's no built-in connection between Essay assessments and [Feedback Machines](/v1/feedback-machines/get-started.md) yet. If you'd like AI help with grading, you can still do it manually — copy a student's essay into a Feedback Machine and run it there.
{% endhint %}