Example: Use an essay answer in a math question

Updated 28 Aug 2023

To create an essay question:

1. When you open the Create Custom Question wizard, choose to start with an empty template.
2. Select Top/Bottom as the format and click Next.
3. In the Custom Question Builder, enter the following in the problem statement section of the question-and-answer area:

   When graphing the solutions of an inequality, what is the difference between an open dot and a closed dot?

4. Put your cursor in the answer area and click Essay Answer under Student Interactions.

   The Edit Essay Answer window opens.

5. Enter the following paragraph in the sample answer box provided:

   Use an open dot to plot the endpoint of the graph if the endpoint is not a solution of the inequality. This occurs when the inequality symbol is < or >.

   Click Insert Symbol to select the inequality symbols from the symbol palette.

6. Enter this second paragraph in the sample answer box:

   Use a closed dot to plot the endpoint of the graph if the endpoint is a solution of the inequality. This occurs when the inequality symbol is <= or >=.

7. Click OK to close the Edit Essay Answer window and return to the Custom Question Builder.
8. Click Save to save your question.