Grading Criteria for Essays
(a) the central organizing presence of an argument which addresses the particular topic
question chosen. This is the bottom line. Your essay mark is drastically reduced if you dont
fulfil this requirement, no matter how well you fulfil the other criteria.
(b) competence in written expression and citation practices.
(c) demonstration of familiarity with relevant prescribed course content i.e. the set readings
and substantive lecture material.
(d) demonstration of familiarity with elements and positions of the relevant thematic debates
present within course content and readings (and to which the lectures/tutorials provide a
critical guide).
The more your essay fulfils these criteria, on a continuum from (a) to (d), and the greater the
argumentative skill with which you fulfil them, the higher your essay will be graded. I will
allude to these criteria, possibly in shorthand, in feedback comments.