Essay 4 Criteria and checklist
Criteria for a good essay
The essays will be assessed according to the following criteria and the extent to which you perform across them. Criteria sheets similar to that shown in Appendix D will be used by your tutor and relevant comments returned to you attached to your marked essay. The criteria have been arranged to reflect the broad sequence of writing your essay, and is therefore divided into two broad areas:ResearchandContent.Each area has particular criteria which need to be addressed. The criteria comprise:
RESEARCH
· Interpretation of the question(understanding of the nature and context of the essay question, as well as explaining key concepts);
· Extent of research(number, variety and difficulty of the references used);
· Comprehension of source materials(ability to select relevant points from the readings; ability to distinguish between various arguments including the development/diversification of ideas; and ability to synthesize/summarise ideas)
Having completed the research phase you are now ready to construct your argument and communicate your ideas as effectively and convincingly as possible.
CONTENT
· Quality of argument(development of a logically-structured argument; use of appropriate supporting evidence; critical evaluation of ideas; and relevance in dealing with the essay topic)
· Communication of argument(writing skills; use of appropriate data presentation methods; and use of appropriate bibliographic conventions)
For each of the twelve specific criteria, a mark (tick) will show you your achievement level – High, Medium, Low, and Not Satisfactory. In some cases, your tutor may indicate inconsistency and/or make special comments for each criteria. Remember that the criteria are often interdependent e.g. a poorly researched essay will have poor content, and poor communication will spoil even the best research.
Work marked in the School of Geography & Environmental Science will be returned to yougraded according to the following system:
A grade of HD indicates a score of 80% or better. A grade of D indicates a score in the range of 70 - 79% A grade of C indicates a score in the range of 60 - 69% A grade of P indicates a score in the range of 50 - 59% A grade of P2 indicates a score in the range of 45 - 49% A grade of N indicates a score in the range of 0 - 44%.
The marker may in addition indicate by the use of + and - signs whether you are respectively at the top or bottom of the particular mark range (eg. C+ to indicate a grade probably in the high 70s).
Miscellaneous Check List
* Essays should have atitle, which should be the question asked, or topic raised for review or analysis.
* Pages should benumberedand each page should carry yourname. Your name, practical session day and time and your tutors name (if relevant) should be listed on the front page.
*Foreign expressionsshould be in italics, but as some people do not have access to italics, these expressions should be underlined (ie. a priori, inter alia, per se, etc.).
* TheHarvard (or ‘in text’) referencing systemis the preferred method of citation.
*All figures and tables must be numbered and provided with brief clear captions. Captions are placed below figures and above tables. Figures and tables must show the source of their information and these sources must be listed in the bibliography (see Appendix B).You must refer specifically to each figure/table in the text.
*Books and articles are not listed in separate bibliographies.They appear together in alphabetical order. If the same author has produced more than one work, the entries should be in chronological order. If the same author has produced multiple works in the one year they should be referred to as 1995(a), 1995(b), etc.
* Please check your essay’s spelling and written expression. If you are aware of any particular difficulties, make use of the specialist courses for first year studentsrun at the beginning of first semester in basic study methods and essay writing, etc. in all faculties. If you feel you need extra assistance just ask the friendly staff at your Faculty information desk. But don’t leave it too late - the courses are usually only in the first few weeks. Special introductory sessions are also available at all Monash libraries in the first couple of weeks of semester, but again the onus is on you to sign up and attend.
*It is most important that you retain a copy (photocopy or draft) of your essay.Essays can go astray, so this is a useful 'insurance policy' and will save you much time and effort should your essay be misplaced.
* Essays should be submitted, by 5 pm on the due date, as prescribed in the unit guide, or detailed on the unit’s moodle page. If you need an extension of time to finish your essay please see your lecturer or tutor before the due date. Penalties will apply to late essays at the rate outlined in the unit guide.VCEEnhancement studentsmay have special arrangements with their teacher and the Course Co-ordinator for the submission of tutorial/practical and essay material.
* Please note that "computer problems"and"printer problems" are not acceptable excusesfor essay extensions. Make sure that you produce a hard (paper) copy of your essay periodically so if your computer fails you can submit a hand written version of your essay.
*Do notfaxyour essayto the department. It will not be accepted under any circumstances and a late penalty will apply.
* All forms ofplagiarismwill be dealt with severely. Unauthorised copying of work without proper citation is regarded as cheating and severe penalties apply throughout the university (see Faculty Handbooks)