UU114 Research Essay Marking Criteria

NAME:__________________________________ ID:___________________

Facets Elements Academic Excellence - 4
Embark and Introduction Establishes the context to the
subject and presents the issue
clarify and thesis as a clear and
effective unit
Research Wide range of wholly
appropriate and relevant
references, fully integrated
Find and into the text with a sound mix
generate of direct and indirect
quotations. Quotations wholly
support thesis. Citations
wholly
accurate; bibliography
complete and accurate
Quality of Controlling theme soundly
maintained; thoughtfully
Evaluate and analysis evaluated ideas and research.
reflect
Conclusion Thoughtful final perspective
with mature closing thought
Plan Clear identification and
separation of relevant ideas
Organise and with details
manage Paragraphing SEXI pattern effectively
developed
Milestone - 3 Benchmark - 2 Below Benchmark - 1 Not assessable work - 0 Mark
Establishes the context to Establishes the context to the Attempts to link the context to Introduction incomplete,
the subject and presents subject and presents the issue the subject and presents the flawed or missing
the issue and thesis as a and a relevant thesis issue and thesis statement but
developed unit held together ineffectually
A range of appropriate An attempt made to apply Applications of research to No evidence of research
and relevant references, research to the essay; the essay is uncertain; heavy
generally well-integrated balance of direct and indirect reliance on one source;
into the text with a mix quotation is uneven, and relevance of material is very
of direct and indirect relevance is sometimes questionable and/or balance
quotations. Quotations questionable. Quotations of direct and indirect
support thesis. Most occasionally replace student quotation is poor. Quotations
citations correct; input. Citations show several often replace student
bibliography good, errors; bibliography input. Citations show many
only minor errors satisfactory errors; bibliography poor
Controlling theme Controlling theme maintained; Controlling theme weakly Analysis weak;
reasonably maintained; applicable ideas and research maintained; poor or unsubstantiated
appropriately analysed undifferentiated ideas and
ideas and research research
Appropriate final Relevant, modest final A final perspective with weak New material included in
perspective with a logical perspective; satisfactory or unsubtle closing thought concluding paragraph or no
closing thought closing thought conclusion offered
Clearly showing relevant Limited grasp of or distinction Ideas do not reflect the issue. No plan provided
ideas with details of ideas Major elements missing
SEXI pattern clear SEXI pattern mostly reflected; One or two elements of SEXI No attempt to write coherent
some inconsistencies pattern missing paragraphs

Logical Effective sequential pattern Appropriate sequential Relevant pattern that supports Attempt made to create a Poor organisation of ideas
that enhances the effect of the pattern that enhances the analysis reasonable pattern, but the weakens the analysis
Analyse and organisation analysis the effect of the analysis effect is not sustained
synthesise Development of Analysis develops effectively; Analysis develops Analysis inconsistent; some Analysis does not develop; lack No attempt to develop an
appropriate language; apt logically; appropriate relevant language; limited of suitable language; weak analysis; not enough cohesion
analysis cohesion and transitions language; sound cohesion and transitions cohesion and transitions evident.
cohesion and transitions
Grammar Grammar wholly accurate Grammar mostly Errors minor but consistent Errors impede Errors seriously compromise
accurate comprehensibility comprehensibility
Accurate writing Vocabulary wide and accurate; Vocabulary wide; Vocabulary adequate with Vocabulary simplistic or Errors of vocabulary, spelling
Communicate spelling and punctuation error- occasional errors in word several errors in word choice; pretentious with frequent and punctuation compromise
and apply conventions free; neutrality of tone choice; spelling and spelling and punctuation word choice errors; errors of comprehensibility; neutrality
sustained punctuation mostly errors noticeable; neutrality of spelling impede of tone uncertain
correct; neutrality of tone mostly sustained comprehensibility; neutrality
tone sustained of tone inconsistent
Abstract Abstract accurate in format, Abstract accurate in Abstract unclear, some Abstract inaccurate in format No abstract
clear and thorough format and clear; some elements missing
elements may be weak
Presentation* (+1 mark) TOTAL (out of 45)
*Assignment must be typed, font 12, double spaced; with cover sheet format shown on Moodle; correct marking schedule; abstract placed before essay

Late Penalty: 20% of total mark for each late day ©UU114 2012