In an authentic assessment, the student not only completes or demonstrates the desired behavior but also does it in a real-life context. “Real life” may be in terms of the student (for example, the classroom) or an adult expectation. The significant criterion for the authenticity of a writing assessment might be that locus of control rests with the student; that is the student determines the topic, the time allocated, the pacing and the conditions under which the writing sample is generated.