High Distinction

85+

· 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

75–84

· 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;

· is properly referenced and well 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.

High Credit

70 – 74

· 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.

Low Credit

65–69

· 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.

High Pass

58 – 64

· 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.

Pass

50–57

· 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 errors.

Fail

Below 50

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.