Which appraisal method requires the rater to compose a narrative description of employee behavior?

• A. 360-Degree Feedback Evaluation Method
• B. Rating Scales Method
• C. Essay Method
• D. Forced Distribution Method

Answer: (C)

The main idea here is a method that relies on a free-form written description of how the employee behaves at work. The Essay Method asks the rater to compose a narrative that details observed actions, interactions, and incidents, providing context and examples rather than assigning scores. This allows for rich, qualitative insight into performance and development needs.

In contrast, other methods use structured or quantified formats. The 360-Degree Feedback collects input from multiple sources and may include comments, but it isn’t defined by a single narrative written by one rater. The Rating Scales Method uses numerical or labeled scores on specific dimensions, not a narrative. The Forced Distribution Method requires ranking employees into predefined performance categories, which also excludes narrative description.