“It is better to try and fail rather than fail to try. Be wise.

” @MasterChris 2023

‘A’ LEVEL HISTORY ESSAYS MARKING GUIDE

The marking of ‘A’ Level history essays consider three (3) levels of response rather than the
length of the answer.

1) Level of preparation – Shown by:

a) the number of relevant points and supporting factual material highlighted in the essay
b) the citing of relevant sources of the history and or scholars who wrote on the topic
c) the quality of details within the essay (correct names of people; correct names of places;
accurate statistics / figures where necessary; accurate dates; etcetera).
d) the coherence or smooth flowing of the argument demonstrated by the candidate.
2) Level of presentation – Shown by structuring the answer into distinct parts shown below:
a) Introduction – that informs readers what the essay is about together with a summary of
the main ideas to be included in the answer (showing a balanced argument – two-sided
response) and a judgement (Just like the O Level part c answer.
b) Body with several paragraphs – Each paragraph should have a topic sentence derived
from the introduction, detailed elaborations of the topic sentence, and well thought
explanations of the history that the candidate is writing about (Remember that why, why,
and why of what you write is considered as analysis of historical information). Each
paragraph should end with sentences or an argument that perfectly links the information in
the paragraph to the question asked (This is the part of the paragraph that addresses the
question). All paragraphs to have the same format / structure.
c) Conclusion – sums up the whole essay in one or two sentences (the conclusion is the
summary of the introduction). Other points relevant to the answer may be put in the
conclusion clearly and as briefly as possible to make sure that every point from the area
examined is included in the essay.
NB: Points highlighted in the introduction form body of the essay, while all other points
missing in the introduction are put in summary form after the concluding remarks.
3) Quality of English – The essay must be free from grammatical errors. The candidate uses
proper tenses and correct spellings. The language must be active, argumentative language
that avoids passive statements at all costs. Sentences well constructed using English
language writing (literary) skills.

1
 “It is better to try and fail rather than fail to try. Be wise.” @MasterChris 2023

MARK ALLOCATIONS

21 – 25 [Marks] – The essay has evidence of high levels of preparation, excellent presentation,
and very good English writing skills (Essay is as highlighted in page 1 above with limited errors).
The essay is balanced, consistently analytical, factual, and coherent.

18 – 20 [Marks] – The essay is relevant to the demands of the question, mostly analytical, and
coherent though there are some weaknesses (very few) in level of preparation, level of
presentation, and quality of English language. Overall, there will be a good solid response to the
question.

16 – 17 [Marks] – The essay show that the candidate understood the question asked and show his
or her line of argument with appropriate factual knowledge. The candidate attempts to provide an
essay that adheres to tenets of the levels of preparation, levels of presentation, and quality of
English (though there are notable weaknesses inherent in all the three levels of responses).

14 – 15 [Marks] – The candidate attempts to respond according to the dictates of an A Level

history essay answer with an appropriate structure but the answer has limitations. There is little or
no analysis and arguments (mainly narrative or descriptive). The factual information presented
will be adequate but does not address the question directly or effectively.
11 – 13 [Marks] – The essay has some appropriate elements of an A level answer but there is little
or no attempt to link factual information to the demands of the question. The essay lack analysis.
The essay is dominated by sufficient narratives or descriptions that will not be effectively linked
to a line of argument and there are frequent errors in presentation as well as in the quality of the
English.
8 – 10 [Marks] – The essay is not focused to the requirements of the question. Assertions are not
supported. Comments lack sufficient factual support. Arguments are irrelevant to issues asked.
The candidate show confusion with regards to the implications of the question. The essay has many
weaknesses.
0 – 7 [Marks] – The essay is characterized by predominantly irrelevant material or arguments.
The essay is incorrigible, fragmentary, and incoherent to a large extent with very few significant
points. The candidate show lack of understanding of the question or answers a question that has
nothing to do with what is asked.

@MasterChris (real name Christopher Chingwaro) is a highly experienced and regular award-
winning A level history teacher from EPMAFARA district, Harare. He is an expert (face-to-face
and online) examination techniques coach.
Contact details: +263773156964 (Calls only); 0718194356 (Calls & WhatsApp)