Examiners bear in mind a number of different criteria when determining what mark to award. One relates to the coverage of the particular topics or questions addressed: relevant issues should be identified and implications addressed. You are expected to display an understanding of relevant criticism. Argumentation is expected to be clear, consistent and balanced, and should be supported by relevant evidence and exemplification. Depending on the nature and difficulty of the topic, an appropriate level of originality, imagination, insight or ingenuity in exemplification, argument, approach, problem statement or solution is expected. From a presentational point of view, work should be neat and tidy, clearly structured, well written, precise and directly relevant to the topic, without unnecessary digression or errors in spelling or grammar, with proper attention to presentation of examples, citation and the form in which bibliographical information is presented. Technical terms should be used correctly. Conciseness is important (e.g., length restrictions should be adhered to).

Not all of the criteria below apply equally to all kinds of assignments (essays, exercises, transcriptions, practical projects, sequence analyses, etc.). In general, weakness in one area may be compensated by extra strength in another. A brief outline of the qualities expected of a piece of work in a non-language module at a given level is presented below:

Work of A-grade Standard: A piece of work will normally be awarded an A grade, and be considered of excellent standard, if it displays the following:

  1. Follows the assignment brief; is confident in handling key terms and concepts; may also productively challenge and question key terms and concepts
  2. Excellent knowledge/understanding of the topic of the assignment; excellent knowledge/understanding of the wider subject area, including relevant theoretical/critical approaches; the assimilation and integration of additional material not directly covered in the module
  3. A coherent line of argument throughout the assignment backed up with excellent analysis; an ability to go beyond the arguments presented in the critical literature; evidence of independent and/or original thinking
  4. An appropriate and elegant structure that ensures excellent organisation of material and detail
  5. Excellent command of language, including accurate spelling, grammar and punctuation; the use of a suitable scholarly register; fluency, flair and an assured use of difficult and specialised terminology
  6. Impeccable referencing and bibliography presented according to the School of Languages, Linguistics and Film's preferred referencing system
  7. Excellent presentation of work (word processed in at least 11 point font, one and a half line spacing, pages clearly numbered, etc.).

Work of A-grade standard will be marked in the range 70% to 100% according to the following bands:

90-100              Exceptional

This work significantly exceeds the threshold for grade A. It is exceptional in its understanding of the relevant material and its analysis is sophisticated, original and authoritative. Presentation is immaculate and arguments draw on an impressive range of primary and secondary reading as appropriate. At the highest end of this range, the work would benefit from no further improvement.

80-89               Outstanding

This work clearly exceeds the threshold for grade A. It shows unusually thorough understanding of the relevant material, and its analysis is sophisticated and original. Presentation is logical, clear and elegant, and arguments draw on a range of primary and secondary reading as appropriate. Work in this band will still contain minor elements that would benefit from further improvement.

70-79               Excellent

This work meets or exceeds the threshold for grade A. It shows thorough understanding of the relevant material, and its analysis is sophisticated. Presentation is logical and clear, and arguments draw on primary and secondary reading as appropriate. Work in this band will still contain elements that would benefit from further improvement or development.

 

Work of B-grade Standard:  A piece of work will normally be awarded a B-grade mark, and be considered good, if it displays the following:

  1. Follows the assignment brief; is confident in handling key terms and concepts
  2. Good knowledge/understanding of the topic of the assignment; good knowledge/understanding of the wider subject area, including relevant theoretical/critical approaches
  3. A coherent line of argument throughout the assignment backed up with good analysis; good understanding and synthesis of the arguments presented in the critical literature
  4. An appropriate structure that ensures good organisation of material and detail
  5. Good command of language, including accurate spelling, grammar and punctuation; the use of a suitable scholarly register
  6. Good referencing and bibliography presented according to the School of Languages, Linguistics and Film's preferred referencing system
  7. Good presentation of work (word processed in at least 11 point font, one and a half line spacing, pages clearly numbered, etc.).


Work of C-Grade Standard:  A piece of work will normally be awarded a C-grade mark, and be considered satisfactory, if it displays the following:

  1. Follows the assignment brief; satisfactory handling of key terms and concepts
  2. Satisfactory knowledge/understanding of the topic of the assignment; satisfactory knowledge/understanding of the wider subject area, including relevant theoretical/critical approaches
  3. An identifiable line of argument throughout the assignment backed up with satisfactory analysis; some problems understanding and synthesising the arguments presented in the critical literature
  4. A functional structure that ensures satisfactory organisation of material and detail
  5. Satisfactory command of language, including reasonably accurate spelling, grammar and punctuation; the use of a suitable scholarly register
  6. Satisfactory referencing and bibliography presented according to the School of Languages, Linguistics and Film's preferred referencing system
  7. Satisfactory presentation of work (word processed in at least 11 point font, one and a half line spacing, pages clearly numbered, etc.).


Work of D-grade Standard:  A piece of work will normally be awarded a D-grade mark, and be considered weak, if it displays the following:

  1. Does not always stick to the assignment task set; problems handling key terms and concepts
  2. Weak knowledge/understanding of the topic of the assignment; weak knowledge/understanding of the wider subject area, including relevant theoretical/critical approaches
  3. Weak argument throughout the assignment not well integrated with weak analysis; problems understanding and synthesising the arguments presented in the critical literature
  4. A weak and incoherent structure that does not ensure satisfactory organisation of material and detail
  5. Weak command of language, including inaccurate spelling, grammar and punctuation; failure to use a suitable scholarly register
  6. Inconsistent and/or incomplete referencing and bibliography; does not follow the School of Languages, Linguistics and Film preferred referencing system
  7. Weak presentation of work (not word processed, illegible font, pages not numbered, etc.).


Work of E-grade Standard:  A piece of work will normally be awarded an E-grade mark, and be considered poor, if it displays the following:

  1. Does not always stick to the assignment task set; problems handling key terms and concepts
  2. Poor knowledge/understanding of the topic of the assignment; poor knowledge/understanding of the wider subject area, including relevant theoretical/critical approaches
  3. Poor argument throughout the assignment not well integrated with weak analysis; problems understanding and synthesising the arguments presented in the critical literature
  4. A poor and incoherent structure that does not ensure satisfactory organisation of material and detail
  5. Poor command of language, including inaccurate spelling, grammar and punctuation; failure to use a suitable scholarly register
  6. Inconsistent and/or incomplete referencing and bibliography; does not follow the School of Languages, Linguistics and Film preferred referencing system
  7. Poor presentation of work (not word processed, illegible font, pages not numbered, etc.).

 

Work of less than E-grade Standard:  A piece or work will normally be awarded a fail if it shows a number of significant shortcomings, such as the following:

  1. Does not stick to the assignment task set; severe problems handling key terms and concepts
  2. Little or no knowledge/understanding of the topic of the assignment; little or no knowledge/understanding of the wider subject area, including relevant theoretical/critical approaches
  3. No argument throughout the assignment and no analysis; no understanding or synthesis of the arguments presented in the critical literature
  4. Non-existent structure that leads to disorganised presentation of material and detail
  5. Very poor command of language, including inaccurate spelling, grammar and punctuation; failure to use a suitable scholarly register; the marker may find it impossible to actually read the assignment
  6. No references or bibliography; does not follow the School of Languages, Linguistics and Film preferred referencing system; may contain plagiarised material.
  7. Extremely poorly presented.


Note - narrative or descriptive (rather than analytical) essays will not normally be given a grade higher than C.

 


Last modified: Tuesday, 7 September 2021, 9:35 AM