DEPARTMENT OF ARABIC LANGUAGE AND
CULTURES GUIDE TO INTERPRETATION OF GRADES
This Guide indicates broadly the qualitative judgments implied by the various grades which may be 
awarded. A more precise evaluation of the strengths and weaknesses of individual essays will be 
provided in markers'' comments. These comments will take account of the different standards likely 
to be achieved by Junior and Senior students and, among Senior students, by second and third year 
students.

HIGH DISTINCTION: HD

85%+ (High Distinction)
•     The work demonstrates a deep and intelligent understanding of, and individual engagement with 
material;
•     presents a very close analysis of focal texts or issues;
•     addresses a specific issue and develops an independent critical or theoretical argument 
successfully;
•     indicates awareness of complexities and qualifications in argumentation;
•     demonstrates careful thought about the critical, historical and/or theoretical context of the 
texts or issues;
•     provides evidence of wide-ranging reading;
•     is properly referenced and well-presented.

The writing is characterized by creativity, clarity, and independent insight. A High Distinction is 
distinguished from a Distinction by the work''s demonstration of awareness of subtleties, nuances, 
qualifications and a possible other case. Work which is awarded a mark of over 90% in Senior level 
units of study will often contain some publishable or potentially publishable elements.

DISTINCTION: DI

75-84% (Distinction)
•     The work demonstrates an intelligent understanding of, and individual engagement with 
material;
•     analyzes focal texts or issues appositely;
•     addresses an issue and presents a well-argued, coherent case;
•     demonstrates careful thought about the critical, historical and/or theoretical context of the 
texts or issues;
•     provides evidence of reading beyond what is strictly required for the task;
•                                                          ell presented.

The writing is characterized by individuality, clarity, and independent insight. A Distinction is 
distinguished from a High Credit chiefly by the quality of theoretical understanding and the range 
of intellectual enquiry it demonstrates.

CREDIT: CR

70-74% (High Credit)
•     The work provides evidence of independent reading and thinking about focal texts or issues 
and their contexts;
•     shows some clear understanding of relevant critical and theoretical considerations and of the 
conceptual issues raised by a unit of study;
•     uses close critical analysis;
•     avoids summary;
•     indicates an intelligent attempt at a critical or theoretical argument;
•     is clearly and effectively written;
•     is well-referenced.

A High Credit is distinguished from a Low Credit chiefly by the extent of independent discussion of 
focal texts or issues, and by some obvious attempt to interpret the outcome of close analysis.

65-69% (Low Credit)
•     The work shows some understanding of relevant critical and theoretical considerations and of 
the conceptual issues raised by a unit of study;
•     demonstrates some independent reading and thinking about focal texts or issues and their 
contexts;
•     uses close critical analysis;
•     avoids summary;
•     attempts a critical or theoretical argument;
•     is clearly and effectively written;
•     is adequately referenced.

A Low Credit is distinguished from a High Pass by the extent of independent discussion of focal 
texts or issues, the clarity of the writing and the extent to which it attempts a more general 
critical and/or theoretical argument.

PASS: PS
58-64% (High Pass)
•     The work gives some evidence of ability to attempt an independent argument and to structure 
material coherently;
•     demonstrates a genuine attempt at independent reading and thinking about focal texts or 
issues though the essay may contain some oversimplification or superficiality;
•     generally avoids summary, paraphrase or unsubstantiated assertion;
•     may sometimes present quotation for illustrative purposes merely, but does also present the 
outcome of some critical analysis;
•     is adequately expressed;
•     is adequately referenced.

50-57% (Pass)
•     The work provides clear evidence of having read and thought about focal texts or issues;
•     attempts a coherent argument though there may be ellipses in argumentation;
•     uses some close critical analysis;
•     may paraphrase fairly extensively;
•     tends to use quotation for illustrative purposes only;
•     may tend towards generality in answering a question;
•     may present simplistic comment or unsubstantiated assertions;
•     is adequately expressed though there may be some weaknesses in this area;
•     may contain some referencing error
FAIL: FA
Below 50% (Fail)
Work may fail for any of the following reasons:
•     no evidence of having read the prescribed material closely;
•     sloppy, inconsistent presentation;
•     preponderance of paraphrase, mere plot summary or listing of superficial characteristics;
•     excessive use of quotation for illustrative purposes only, without any attempt at analysis;
•     excessive level of generality in answering a question;
•     inappropriate or obscure expression;
•     incoherent general structure;
•     inadequate referencing;
•     late submission of work without extension.