Top tip #8 – know the score – criteria for assessment of the directed writing task (paper 2)

SUCCESS CRITERIA: READING (15 marks)

*Select appropriate evidence.

*Make inferences – what is being suggested or hinted at.

*All ideas must be derived from the text.

*Develop the ideas already presented by using inference; do not make things up or add additional information.

*Look for bias use the context

*Demonstrate a range of skills by looking at both explicit and implicit meanings as well as evaluating.

*Counter argument *Facts

SUCCESS CRITERIA: WRITING (25) Sophisticated techniques such as:

*Anaphora

*Repetition

*List of 3

*Short sentences for effect

*One line paragraphs

*Link between paragraphs

*Circular structure

*Rhetorical question

*Vocabulary for effect

*Connectives – link ideas *A range of different sentence types

*Effective and correct use of punctuation (at least 5) *Paragraphs

*Organisation of ideas *Links and transitions between ideas and paragraphs

*Fluency

*Topic sentences

*Accurate spelling and grammar

Finally, here’s a summary of key messages from the examiner’s report for Paper 2 from last summer:

This paper was mainly assessed for writing, although there were ten marks available for reading in Question 1.

In order to achieve high marks, candidates were required to:

• use an appropriate form, style and register in both questions
• structure ideas and organise their writing effectively to persuade and engage the reader
• produce detailed and evocative descriptions and engaging, credible narratives
• construct varied sentences accurately, with a clear attempt to influence and interest the reader
• use precise and wide-ranging vocabulary, appropriate for the task and style required.

* General comments * Good responses:

showed an understanding of the task or question a clear understanding of and engagement with the topic

Were written in an appropriate style and format for a specific audience consider both sides of the argument represented in the texts.

Include effective expression of ideas conveyed using the candidate’s own words

Demonstrate a good structure and sequence ideas into a coherent response

Comments were anchored in ideas given in the reading texts, probing or offering judgements about them.

made use of the bullet points in the question to help structure the response and the ideas in the texts were scrutinised thoughtfully

The most effective responses paid specific attention to the audience and style required for the task. These were evaluative in style, using ideas from the texts to create and structure arguments and often employing appropriate devices

Weaker responses:

tend to repeat the ideas in the texts, rather than selecting points and commenting on them. lack of cohesion and some simple reflection without comment of competing