2021 Year 9 and 10 ENGLISH Common Marking Key

Section 1 – Comprehending

Criteria Standard Mark

Comprehension Thorough analysis/comparison of text/s with carefully chosen evidence and appropriate terminology relating to the 6-7
of Text/s question.
Good analysis/comparison of text/s with appropriate evidence and terminology relating to the question. 4-5
Somewhat limited understanding of text/s with minimal analysis/comparison; retell of text with limited engagement with 1-3
the question.
Not attempted or entirely irrelevant analysis. 0

Structure and Succinct and coherent; sophisticated vocabulary and expression; few minor errors 3
Expression Clear and logical; vocabulary and expression; a few errors 2
Unstructured and/or underdeveloped expression; frequent errors 1
Does not demonstrate control over grammar and expression; ideas unstructured. 0

Section 3 - Creating

Criteria Standard Mark

Engagement Sustained content that addresses the nuances of the question. 8 – 10
with Question Competent response that addresses the demands of the question. 6–7
Limited, predictable or clichéd engagement with the question. 3–5
Response that does not address the question; irrelevant but interesting content. 0–2

Control of Fluently written with effective vocabulary, highly developed personal voice and flair; few minor errors. 8 – 10
Language and Competently written with relevant vocabulary and emerging voice; some errors. 6–7
Expression Uncontrolled writing with somewhat limited or inappropriate vocabulary and/or tone; frequent errors. 3–5
Insufficiently developed or displayed writing skills; two or three points with little structure or development. 0–2

Structure and Deliberate manipulation of conventions of chosen form for chosen audience and purpose. 8 – 10
Expression Good control of conventions of chosen form for an audience and/or purpose. 6–7
Limited understanding and/or use of conventions of chosen form with little consideration of audience or purpose. 3–5
Insufficiently developed or displayed use of conventions of chosen form. 0–2

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2021 Year 9 and 10 ENGLISH Common Marking Key
Section 2 – Responding

Criteria Standard Mark

Question Presents a detailed thesis in relation to the question that addresses the key ideas; sustains reference to the thesis 9 – 10
Engagement throughout the response.
Presents a clear thesis in relation to the question that addresses the key ideas or most of the key ideas: attempts to make 7–8
reference to the thesis throughout the response but may need more focus and direction.
Attempts to present a thesis in relation to the question proposition. Either needs to make reference to the thesis more 4–6
consistently or has misconception of the question or key ideas in question.
Presents a limited engagement with the question and the key ideas. 1–3
Does not engage with the question. 0

Knowledge Presents a sound understanding of the studied text(s); shows good critical awareness. 9 – 10
of Text Presents a general understanding of the studied text(s); shows some critical awareness. 7–8
Shows some understanding of the studied text(s); demonstrates little critical awareness. 4–6
Shows little understanding of the studied text(s); demonstrates limited critical awareness. 1–3
Shows no understanding of the studied text(s). 0

Critical Consistently supports argument with relevant details, including techniques and text conventions. 9 – 10
Literacy Supports most of argument with some relevant details, including techniques and text conventions. 7–8
Supports some of argument with some relevant details, techniques and/or text conventions: may misuse some evidence. 4–6
Attempts to support argument with details, techniques and/or text conventions, but misuses evidence often or uses very 1–3
little evidence.
Does not attempt to support argument 0

Written Sustains a fluent and articulate response and demonstrates a sustained control of grammar, vocabulary, spelling and 5
Expression punctuation.
Presents a readable response, mostly controlling grammar, vocabulary, spelling and punctuation. 4
Expresses some ideas clearly. Some areas of the response may be difficult to follow. 3
Shows little control of mechanics of grammar, vocabulary, spelling and punctuation and demonstrates somewhat limited 2
control of language conventions.
Shows no control of mechanics of grammar, vocabulary, spelling and punctuation and demonstrates limited control of 0-1

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2021 Year 9 and 10 ENGLISH Common Marking Key
language conventions.

Structure Presents a sustained and coherently developed structure that introduces, organises and concludes points of argument in 5
clear topic sentences in linked paragraphs
Presents a clear structure that introduces, organises and concludes points of argument in clear topic sentences in linked 4
paragraphs.
Presents a structured response; introduces, organises and concludes most points of argument in clear topic sentences in 3
linked paragraphs.
Presents a response with some structure; attempts to introduce, organise and conclude argument, but needs to do so more 2
consistently; may need dearer topic sentences and/or linked paragraphs.
Presents a response with little structure; needs to structure paragraphs more clearly. 1
Presents a response that lacks any structure. 0

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