Criterion A

Content (receptive and productive)

Maximum 10

Criterion B

Organization

Maximum 10

Criterion C

Style and language mechanics

Maximum 10

Achievement level

Level descriptor

0

The student does not reach a standard described by any of the descriptors below.

1–2

The student demonstrates very limited understanding of the text and topic, and little or no awareness of the author’s choices. There is little or no detail, development or support.

In creative work, pieces show very limited imagination or sensitivity; the student rarely employs literary features, or employs literary and/or non-literary features that do not serve the context or intention.

The use of terminology is missing, inconsistent and/or incorrect.

3–4

The student demonstrates limited understanding of the text and topic, and sometimes shows an awareness of the author’s choices, although detail, development and/or support are insufficient.

In creative work, pieces show limited imagination or sensitivity; the student attempts to employ literary and/or non-literary features; these sometimes serve the context and intention.

The use of terminology is sometimes accurate and appropriate.

5–6

The student demonstrates a sufficient understanding of the text and topic, and an awareness of the author’s choices, using adequate detail, development and support.

In creative work, pieces reflect some imagination and sensitivity; the student generally employs literary and/or non-literary features that serve the context and intention.

Terminology is usually accurate and appropriate.

7–8

The student demonstrates a good understanding of the text, topic and the author’s choices, using substantial detail, development and support.

In creative work, pieces reflect imagination and sensitivity; the student employs literary and/or non-literary features that serve the context and intention.

Relevant terminology is used accurately and appropriately.

9–10

The student demonstrates a perceptive understanding of the text, topic and the author’s choices, consistently using illustrative detail, development and support.

In creative work, pieces reflect a lot of imagination and sensitivity; the student employs literary and/or non-literary features effectively that serve the context and intention.

The student shows a sophisticated command of relevant terminology, and uses it appropriately.

Achievement level

Level descriptor

0

The student does not reach a standard described by any of the descriptors below.

1–2

The student rarely employs organizational structures and/or language-specific conventions, or uses those that do not serve the context and intention.

The work is generally disorganized, unclear and/or incoherent.

The student employs critical apparatus inappropriately or not at all.

3–4

The student sometimes employs organizational structures and/or language-specific conventions that serve the context and intention.

The work shows the beginnings of organization but lacks coherence.

The student employs critical apparatus with limited success.

5–6

The student usually employs organizational structures and language-specific conventions that serve the context and intention.

The work is generally organized, clear and coherent.

The student generally employs critical apparatus correctly.

7–8

The student consistently employs organizational structures and language-specific conventions that serve the context and intention.

The work is usually well-organized, clear and coherent and the ideas being expressed build on each other.

The student employs critical apparatus correctly.

9–10

The student consistently employs sophisticated organizational structures and language-specific conventions that serve the context and intention.

The work is consistently well-organized, clear and coherent and the ideas being expressed build on each other in a sophisticated manner.

The student integrates critical apparatus correctly and effectively.

Achievement level

Level descriptor

0

The student does not reach a standard described by any of the descriptors below.

1–2

The student employs a very limited range of appropriate vocabulary, idiom and sentence structure. There are very frequent errors in grammar and syntax, which persistently hinder communication.

There is little or no evidence of a register and style that serve the context and intention.

There are very frequent errors in punctuation and spelling/writing, which persistently hinder communication. In oral/presentation work there is little or no competence in oratory technique.

3–4

The student employs a limited range of appropriate vocabulary, idiom and sentence structure. There are frequent errors in grammar and syntax, which hinder communication.

There is some evidence of a register and style that serve the context and intention.

There are frequent errors in punctuation and spelling/writing, which hinder communication. In oral/presentation work there is some competence in oratory technique.

5–6

The student generally employs a range of appropriate vocabulary, idiom and sentence structure. Grammar and syntax are generally accurate; occasional errors sometimes hinder communication.

The student often uses a register and style that serve the context and intention.

Punctuation and spelling/writing are generally accurate; occasional errors sometimes hinder communication. In oral/presentation work there is adequate competence in oratory technique.

7–8

The student employs a range of appropriate vocabulary, idiom and sentence structure. Grammar and syntax are accurate; occasional errors rarely hinder communication.

The student consistently uses a register and style that serve the context and intention.

Punctuation and spelling/writing are accurate; occasional errors rarely hinder communication. In oral/presentation work there is a good level of competence in oratory technique.

9–10

The student employs a wide and effective range of appropriate vocabulary, idiom and sentence structure. Grammar and syntax are accurate; very infrequent errors do not hinder communication.

The student demonstrates mastery of a register and style that serve the context and intention.

Punctuation and spelling/writing are accurate; very infrequent errors do not hinder communication. In oral/presentation work there is a high level of competence in oratory technique.