GREAT EXPECTATIONS: ESSAY MARKING CRITERIA
Your work will be marked on the following criteria, *laid out on the Feedback coversheet in exactly this order
1. Structure: A clear answer to the question and well structured argument with NO MORE than 3 main points. This should all be laid out in the introduction (e.g clear answer to the question followed by a sentence or two summarising how you will prove your argument).For any essay question there are numerous possibilities for an answer: YOU CHOOSE the argument and the evidence that you find most compelling (and explain why). I do not have a set or a checklist for evidence. If try to cover too many points, this will result in a general argument and superficial assessment of the evidence.
2.Primary Evidence:In each argument, you should support your point with a thoughtful analysis primary source materials (ancient sources), which shows that you have researched the materials (beyond what has been discussed in lecture). Be selective: there are dozens of sources but only need one or two of these to support/ illustrate each argument. Your careful consideration of one vase, inscription, sculpture is more informative rather than a general quote from Sir John Boardman summarising of all Classical sculpture < This is not what I want.
3.Secondary Sources:Overall, I need to be able to see not only the structure of your argument and how you have used the evidence to support it (points 1 & 2) but also from whence your evidence and information have come.Secondary sources are places to check your analysis of a primary source against a professional scholar, but be careful that your ideas and interpretations remain independent. These sources seldom need to be quoted as long as their views are referenced in a footnote. To achieve this, particularly the last criteria, you need to use a system of footnoting, provide a bibliography and references to images and websites (consult the student handbook or look at how passages are cited on Lecture handouts, bibliographies).
4. Presentation/ References:There are numerous different ways to cite things, what matters most is that you choose a system and employ it consistently. A good footnote is one that can be followed (Author, date or title, and page no). If I cannot find the passage (e.g. there is no page number, title/date or author) then it is a BAD reference.
5. Appropriate and inappropriate resources:Fundamentally, I want to see how you have taken materials and ideas we discuss in lecture (or those that you've formed independently), engaged directly with the primary & secondary sources, and formulated an argument.For the avoidance of doubt, Wikipedia, Wordpress, dictionaries & documentaries are places to start research, they should never be referenced as a authoritative source in written work except as an image credit (wiki images can be very good). On citing images, consult the essay writing handbook.
6. Originality/Sophistication:This last criteria is often underrated. If you are just reiterating what other scholars have said or basing your points on their conclusions (not an analysis of the evidence itself) you will miss the point of the essay, which is NOT ONLY to show that you have read compulsory reading, but that you have engaged directly and profoundly with the evidence itself. If you find yourself quoting Boardman, ask:are these quotes for his glory or for yours? Do they show how YOU are a critical thinker? Sometimes you will agree, other times not, remember: a secondary source is often is supplemental, so direct quotes should not often be necessary.