75 minutes for whole paper. 15 minutes for planning, 60 minutes for writing.
Criterion A: Understanding and Interpretation
- References to the text.
- Very specific quotes and references to the texts (specific words, sentences, etc).
- All the references are linked to the main point of the text.
- A good number of quotes, but not too many to evaluate.
Criterion B: Analysis and Evaluation
- Analyse what the authorial choice is, how it is used, why it is used and what effect it creates.
- Why the author did something, what it is and how they did it, and the effect on the audience, and any implications of its usage.
- Evaluate the meaning and effect.
- Should be in-depth.
Criterion C: Focus and Organization
- 5 paragraph essay, introduction, three bodies, conclusion.
- Essay should be well-structured and cohesive.
- Ideas, and thus paragraphs should be linked together.
- Signposting: use of clear guiding phrases.
- Paragraphs should not be able to be moved around and still be coherent.
- Introduction has a clear and concise thesis statement.
- The thesis statement should function as an answer to the guiding question.
- It can be a rewording of the guiding question, but not a direct restating of it.
- Guiding question: How is some effect achieved in the text?
- Thesis statement: Some effect is achieved in the text using something, something and something.
- Should use the guiding question as a basis, but focus on a specific idea.
- Focus on the guiding question, and use its vocabulary continuously.
- Focus on following the essay structure, not on following the order in the text.
- There should generally be about 3 to 4 body paragraphs, each with around 4 authorial choices mentioned.
- Each body paragraph should focus around a specific idea.
Introduction
- Hook, refer to the topic and the author and target audience.
- Purpose and bibliographic (all the provided information on the text and publisher).
- Thesis statement (language of the guiding question).
- Transition into the body.
Body
- Should start with a clear point that supports the thesis statement.
- Explanation and evaluation.
- Evidence.
- More explanation and evaluation.
- Link to then next paragraph.
- A body paragraph should have two or more quotes, only one won't suffice.
Conclusion
- Restate thesis statement.
- Synthesize (connect points made in the body paragraphs) and summarize points in body paragraphs.
- Transition to final conclusion.
- Explain the meaning and implications of the text.
- So what?
- Short addition of personal opinion and view on the topic.
Criterion D: Language
- Language should be clear and varied.
- Appropriate register and varied terminology.
- No contractions, or informal language.
- Proper spelling and word structure.
- Refer to the author as they, especially if the gender is unclear.
- Concise, but varied sentences.
- Varied language.
- Terminology and jargon: properly name any literary techniques.