Assessment grid - English

Analysing texts / Using evidence / Understanding context / Awareness of impact / Structure & coherence / Grammar
Working towards / Some simple inference at a basic level with some recognition of high frequency words; feature spotting / Some awareness & understanding of simple meaning / Some awareness of when and where a text was produced / Some awareness of writing for an audience and purpose / Simple connections between ideas and events, sometimes in order / Begins to show awareness of basic punctuation and usually correct spelling of simple words
Sometimes / Straightforward inferences based on unrelated ideas; begins to make simple comments on language features / Identification of the main points with some textual references / Able to make straightforward connections between the text and its context / Purpose is beginning to be established with some attempt to match style to appeal to reader / Attempts to organise logically, but paragraphing inconsistent / Basic grammatical structures are usually used correctly and understood; high frequency words are usually spelt correctly
Secure / Explanation of relevant language, structure ideas without teacher support / Able to clearly identify most relevant points using a range of quotations and textual references / Understanding that texts reflect their time and culture and fit into historical and literary traditions / Purpose is clear, constantly maintained, and adapted for a range of audiences / Paragraphing & sentence structure is coherent, clear and well-developed, with links generally maintained / Range of punctuation (including speech) usedaccurately and understood; spelling of more complex words are generally correct
Confident / Explores multiple and developed interpretations of language, structure & ideas / Relevant points summarised and synthesised through well chosen textual references / Making connections between texts from different times and cultures and being aware of personal cultural bias / Imaginative treatment of material to sustain interest with some adaptation of style and register / Structure is integral to a coherent sequence of ideas and information is skilfully shaped / Employsand understands a full range of punctuation accurately and for effect; spelling of irregular words is generally accurate
Exceptional / To be able to zoom in on language, structure & ideas, and zoom out to judge relevance and impact of inference / Precision in selection and application of evidence, fully and concisely synthesised and embedded into perceptive commentary / Understanding the impact of texts and exploring the ways texts have influenced literature and society / Creative selection and adaptation of a wide range of forms using a well judged, instinctive voice to explore different perspectives / A wide variety of structures are used for deliberate effect / Punctuation is recognised and deployed to craft meaning; spelling and grammatical features are accurate
Beyond / To question and criticise interpretations and synthesising ideas from a range of texts including literary criticism / Subtlety in using evidence to critique and challenge accepted viewpoints / Challenging assumptions about the cultural value of texts / Convincingly take on different perspectives and personas Including parody, pastiche, irony and satire / Cross referencing in order to develop counter-arguments and to take readers outside of confines of a text / Punctuation is understood and executed highly imaginatively to enable subtle distinctions of meaning

David Didau @LearningSpy, 2014