Essay

MARKING CRITERIA

HIGH DISTINCTION

DISTINCTION

CREDIT

PASS

FAIL

Introduction: Introduces the topic; provides an overview of the essay

5%

Highly engaging; well developed and written; provides an excellent lead-in to the essay

Engaging; well developed and written; provides a very good lead-in to the essay

A good introduction but still somewhat limited in its scope

Adequate introduction but is limited in its development and scope

Introduction fails to adequately begin the essay; fails to provide an adequate overview; confused and unclear

Provides a definition of climate change and a discussion of its global significance

10%

Excellent definition informed by relevant and contemporary literature; clearly stated and readily understandable; excellent discussion of the ramifications of climate change at a global scale

Very good construction of the definition, informed by relevant literature; clearly stated and readily understandable; very good level of discussion

Good construction of the definition, informed by relevant literature; reasonably clearly stated and understandable; good level of discussion

Adequate construction of the definition, informed by relevant literature; adequate level of discussion

Either does not provide a clear definition informed by relevant literature or the definition used is ambiguous or unclear; poor discussion of ramifications

Description of the impacts that climate change is having and could have on the selected sector

20%

Identifies and describes at an excellent and appropriate level of detail the impacts that climate change has and could have on the sector

Identifies and describes at a very good, appropriate level of detail the impacts that climate change has and could have on the sector

Identifies and describes at a generally goo level of detail the impacts that climate change has and could have on the sector

Identifies and describes at an adequate and basic level of detail the impacts that climate change has and could have on the sector

Does not clearly describe the impacts or if it does, the description is superficial

Analysis and critical discussion of the impacts that climate change is having and could have on the selected sector

20%

Demonstrates a sophisticated ability to synthesise and analyse information taken from academic and technical publications in order to discuss the current and potential impacts on the sector

Very good level of analysis and synthesis of information drawn from academic and technical publications in order to discuss the current and potential impacts on the sector

A good level of synthesis and analysis of information drawn from academic and technical publications in order to develop discussion of the current and potential impacts

Adequate, basic level of analysis which allows for some discussion of the current and potential impacts on the sector, but tends, overall to remain at a descriptive level

Inadequate analysis and critical discussion of the current and potential impacts of climate change on the selected sector

Inclusion of appropriate examples that help develop argument

5%

Excellent use of relevant and illustrative examples

Very good use of relevant and illustrative examples

Good use of relevant and illustrative examples

Adequate use of relevant and illustrative examples

No examples included or if they are, they are not relevant or appropriate

Well researched, utilising a range of relevant academic literature that is properly referenced

10%

Essay clearly informed by an extremely well executed process of research; excellent references both academic and technical, used and referenced correctly; direct quotes to a minimum

Uses appropriate number of academic articles, book and technical publications; referenced correctly; keeps direct quotes to a minimum

Good level of research has been used though it falls short of being very good. References are appropriate and few errors in referencing

Adequate level of research that achieves the minimum standard. Some errors in referencing

Poorly researched; inadequate use of academic and technical literature; incorrectly referenced

Appropriate standard of written expression

10%

Written expression is excellent: clear, fluent, elegant

Written expression is very good: clear and fluent

Written expression is good but not very good

Written expression is adequate, though sometimes there might be poorly constructed sentences or paragraphs

Inadequate standard of written expression; difficult to understand much of the essay

Logical and systematic structure

10%

Essay has a very clear structure; there is a logical flow of ideas and the development of an argument; excellent transitions from one paragraph to the next

Essay has a clear structure; there is a logical flow of ideas and the development of an argument; very transitions from one paragraph to the next

Essay has a reasonably clear structure; there is a logical flow of ideas and the development of an argument; generally good transitions from one paragraph to the next

Adequate structure but some flaws in the flow of ideas; argument not as strong as it could be; poor transitions

Poorly and inadequately structured and organised

Reference List

10%

Reference list is correctly constructed; completely free of errors

A very good reference list, containing no significant errors

Reference list is more than adequate and mostly free of errors

Reference List is adequate and is largely free of errors but there are some errors

Reference list is mostly incorrectly constructed and contains many errors