Step 2 - Create a workspace manually

Create a workspace manually

We've worked hard to make this easy. Follow the step-by-step instructions below to manually create a custom workspace by uploading student submissions to EssayGrader.

Select 'Manual Setup'

Manual setup is the fourth tile in the Create New Workspace section of the Dashboard and will bring up the manual workspace wizard.

Choose your structure.

When you create a new workspace, you can choose a preset to shape its structure. The table below shows the 4 preset options and examples of when you might want to use them.

Preset	Hierarchy	Best for
Yearly based	Year → Class → Assignments	Teachers who want to group assignments by school year, with classes and coursework nested inside each year.
Class based	Class → Period → Assignments	Teachers who mainly track individual classes or periods, each holding its own assignments.
Subject based	Subject → Class/Section → Assignments	Teachers who manage multiple subjects, each split into classes/sections with their own assignments.
Create Your Own	Blank canvas to build any hierarchy	A flexible option if none of the presets fit—build any custom hierarchy you need.

Create your structure

We'll use the subject-based structure as our example for this tutorial.

Step 1: Add your first subject

The wizard has already created a generic subject, class, and assignment. Type your own subject name. Example: World History.

As you move through these steps, you'll see a folder structure preview to the left of the screen. Expand and collapse folders in the preview to see the full structure.

In the right hand side of the window, you may also collapse and expand the different sections using the arrows to the far right of each label. This can help you to focus on the section you are editing.

Step 2: Add a class/section inside the subject

In the Classes area, enter the name of your class (or click + Add Class if one doesn't exist and enter the name). Example: Section 1.

Step 3: Add assignments to that class

Under Assignments, click + Add Assignment for each task. Example: Book Review, Mid-term Paper, Final Paper.

Continue adding assignments as needed by clicking + Add Assignment and entering the new information.

Step 4: Repeat for more classes (optional)

Starting back at Step 2 above, add another class and its assignments. Example: Section 2 → Book Review, Mid-term Paper, Final Paper.

You may click + Add Class to the right of the Classes label or you may duplicate your existing class for further editing by clicking the the small + icon to the right of the trashcan icon.

Step 5: Add more subjects (optional)

Use + Add New (example: English Literature), then repeat the process of adding classes and assignments as in steps 2-4 above. You may also use the + icon to the right of the trashcan icon in the subject row to duplicate your current subject structure for further editing.

Step 6: Reorder items (optional)

Drag the dotted handle beside any Subject, Class, or Assignment to change the order.

By dragging them around using the dotted handle, you can quickly organize subjects and assignments exactly the way you want.

Step 7: Rename or remove items (optional)

Click into a name to edit it.
Use the trash icon to delete an item if added by mistake.

Step 8: Create the workspace

When the preview looks correct, click Create Workspace.
The sidebar in the Dashboard will now show the Subject → Class → Assignments tree.

Example Structure

Subjects: World History, English Literature

World History → Classes: Section 1, Section 2

Section 1 → Assignments: Book Review, Mid-term Essay, Final Essay

Section 2 → Assignments: Book Review, Mid-term Essay, Final Essay

English Literature → Classes: Section 1 → Assignments: Poetry Essay, Symbolism Essay

Tips & Best Practices

Keep names short and consistent (e.g., Section 1, Section 2).
Check the Preview Structure as you build — it updates instantly.
If the structure doesn’t look right, fix it before clicking Create Workspace.

Step 9: Start uploading submissions

The walkthrough will continue in the next article where you will see how assignments are prepared for essay upload by configuring the settings and providing other materials needed to grade accurately. The first setup step is selecting or creating a rubric.

Continue the walkthrough: Set up your first assignment – Rubrics >>>

Updated on: 09/20/2025

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