The argument of whether red pen is harsher than other colors has been discussed since the color became more available in the 1950s. Ultimately red is a discouraging, inappropriate color to be using when grading students’ papers.
Studies on red pen use have concluded that, when using red pens, graders have marked papers lower and answered questions more negatively than when using pens that are colors other than red. In one study conducted by psychology graduate Michael Slepian, people were asked to give a previously graded paper an overall score; the papers were graded exactly the same, only in different colors. The study showed that the papers graded in red were given scores as low as Cs, while the papers that were not in red were given grades as high as As.
Sophomore Jack Euley said, “[Papers graded in red] have a negative effect on me; not because I’m slow but because if I see a whole bunch of red all over my paper it makes me feel … like I’m less of a person, like I’m just a percent and I’m just a grade, and I’m more than that I’m a person; I’m not just a number.”
Students are in agreement that the color red is a bad choice for grading; many places have banned the use of red pens while grading. For example, the code of Crofton Junior School in Orpington, Kent, code states, “Work is generally marked in pen—not red—but on occasion it may be appropriate to indicate errors in pencil so that they may be corrected. Teachers must be sensitive about writing directly onto pupils’ final work.”
“I think they should sell green and purple pens because they are more fun and happier colors. Red reminds you of blood, you know? It’s like someone died,” said chemistry teacher Mr. Robert Hooker.
In addition to Crofton Junior School, other British schools, including Hutton Cranswick Community Primary School in Driffield, East Yorkshire, and Uplands Manor Primary School in Smethwick, West Midlands, among hundreds more, have a ban on red pens.
After conducting a small experiment at Seminole High School, which consisted of having a teacher who usually uses red to grade use colored writing utensils to grade, and vice versa, it was concluded that students preferred the papers graded in colors other than red.
Teacher Ms. Victoria Billings said, ” They do [take more notice of mistakes], absolutely. They are much more attentive to their mistakes [when grading in color].”
Grading in red pens encourages more negative emotions, while grading while colorful pens set a more positive mood and encourage students to do better. Red pens have an overall horrible effect on students and, like many other schools, Seminole should discontinue their use.