How do I create a gradable topic in Conversations?
Depending on your permissions within the Conversations tool, you may not see all of the topic options shown below. For example, if you don't have grading permission, you won't be able to see the grade options.
Go to the Conversations tool.

Select the Conversations tool from the Tool Menu of your site.
Click Create New Topic.

Author the topic.

See How do I post a topic in Conversations? for the complete steps to posting a new topic.
Select Grading options.

If you would like to grade student posts to this topic:
- Select the check box for Grade this Topic.
- Enter a maximum point value for the topic.
- Select to Create a new Grading Item (the default option) or Associate this Topic with an existing Grading Item if you have already added a Gradebook item for this activity.
Set Due Date.

If you would like to specify a Due Date for this graded activity:
- Check the box for Set Due Date and enter a date into the calendar field below.
- (Optionally) Check the box for Accept late responses until and enter a date into the calendar field below. Choosing this option will automatically lock the topic upon the accept until date.
Click Publish.

Once you have finished editing the topic settings, click Publish to make your post available to site participants.
Optionally, you may select Save as Draft if you are not yet finished editing. Draft topics are only available to the author of the topic.