Marking criteria and standards

Marking criteria and standards

This essay task involves a number of distinctelements(or 'marking criteria', for your task will be marked according to how well these elements of the task are performed.) They consist in the following:

(1) You need to show that you can construct a philosophical argument, setting it out as clearly as you can (60%) (=24/40 marks)(2) You need to show that you can critically evaluate a philosophical argument, employing relevant techniques to show whether and exactly how they are good or bad (20%) (=8/40 marks)(3) You need topresentyour essay in a well-organized discussion written in good clear English (20%) (=8/40 marks)

Overall, you need to do your best to show that you have mastered the relevant discussion in the study materials, and that you are thinking about it critically yourself. And because the best way to show your understanding is to show that you can enable someone else to understand that matter, we will be assessing how well your essay would give an uninformed reader a clear grasp of the discussion. (Because of the low word limit, you may find that you cannot present your discussion as fully as you would wish if you were writing in order to make it completely clear for a genuinely uninformed reader. Nevertheless, you should regard this as what you should aim at as much as possible - especially in those parts of the discussion that are most difficult.)

Note:no extra credit will be given for additional research beyond the key prescribed readings. Indeed, in the limited words available to you, you must make sure to keep sharply focused on the prescribed topic.

The performance of the task will be graded according to the following marking scheme. All percentages will be converted to marks out of 40 for entry onto Grade Centre:HDHigh Distinction (85-100%) (=34/40 to 40/40 marks)Each of the elements 1,2 and 3 (above) has been performed outstandingly well. You have thoroughly mastered the relevant discussion in the study materials, and can present it very clearly yourself, demonstrating that you are evaluating it with some sophisticated critical independence.DIDistinction (75-84%) (=30/40 to 33.6/40 marks)Overall the task has been performed very well, but one or more of elements 1, 2 and 3 has not been performed outstandingly well. You display a good, solid grasp of the relevant discussion, and the ability to evaluate it with some real critical independence. But, for example, though you have mastered the statement and critical examination of the argument, your writing could be improved. Or, though your essay is beautifully written, your critical evaluation could be extended, or refined, or polished further. And so on.CRCredit (65-74%) (=26/40 to 29.6/40 marks)Overall the task has been performed creditably, but one or more of elements 1, 2 and 3 could be considerably improved. You show a fairly good grasp of the relevant discussion, and a fairly good attempt to assess it with critical independence. But, for example, though the meat of your discussion is good, your writing could be considerably improved. Or, your critical evaluation of the relevant argument could be substantially extended, or refined. And so on.PSPass (50-64%) (=20/40 to 25.6/40 marks)Overall the task has been performed satisfactorily, but not better than satisfactorily. You show an adequate grasp of the relevant discussion, but one or more of elements 1, 2 and 3 could be substantially improved. For example, your writing, though intelligible, needs to be considerably improved. Or your presentation or critical evaluation of the relevant argument could be substantially improved through a clearer or less confused grasp of the material, or through a clearer application of the techniques of the analysis of argument, or by being extended to include omitted points. And so on.FLFail (0-49%) (=0/40 to 19.6/40 marks)Overall the task has been performed unsatisfactorily. One or more of elements 1, 2 and 3 has been performed so unsatisfactorily that, however well the other elements have been performed, the essay is inadequate. For example, your writing is too far below the required standard. Or though you display some understanding of the material, your essay shows serious confusions. Or you have omitted major points. And so on.

NB The feedback provided on your essay will show in detail why your essay is assessed as deserving the grade as described in the scheme above.