ASSESSMENT GUIDELINES

QN:________________________________________________________________________
N/
S
A

Elements of an essay

Questions to ask

First Impression of
essay/essay outline

Introduction

Paragraphs in the body

Topic Sentence

What is my preliminary assessment of this piece of

work based on cursory reading?
Is it interesting/predictable/intellectual/humorous/
average? Messy/confusing/little effort put in?
1. Is there a context given: the world,
Singapore, various groups of stakeholders?
2. Who or what are the stakeholders?
3. Characteristics?
4. Any idea of what the key words mean from
reading the context?
5. Is it broad with various possible and yet
relevant perspectives?
6. Is there a contention presented between 2
relevant perspectives?
7. Is the thesis balanced and reasonable?
8. Is it contradictory or irrelevant?
1. Is there a topic sentence? Locate it.
2. Does it answer the qn clearly, directly,
logically and support the thesis?
3. Is it a reason or argument as opposed to an
example?
4. If you disregard the example in the topic
sentence/paragraph, will this argument still
make sense?
5. Rewrite the topic sentence [but it must be a
better version that is more direct than the
original]

Elaboration

Evidence

Linking and coherence

6. Where is the explanation? Does it explain the

topic sentence or it just rambles on
meaninglessly?
7. Does the expl. ans the why, how, what, who,
when, and where? How about outcomes,
consequences and implications?
8. Is the explanation therefore systematic and
detailed , building up to an answer that
supports the thesis?
9. If not, rewrite to make it more systematic
and relevant.
10.Does the evidence have a point and is it
stated? Is the pt. relevant and supports the
T.S. & expl.?
11.Is the evidence accurate, credible and

current?
12.If not, state how you will add to its credibility
and currency.

3.

Counterargument

4.

Rebuttal

Conclusion

13.Are there good linking words in this

paragraph? At the end of the parag, is there
a linking sentence to answer the qn?
1. Are there proper signals to show that it is a
counterargument?
2. Is there a relevant and logical topic sentence
that argues on behalf of the opposition?
3. Is it a strong opposing argument with few or
no assumptions that can be defeated?
4. Does the expl .hark back to the topic
sentence of this CA or it discusses sthg else
or several other points in one paragraph?
5. Is the evidence strong or weak? Credible,
current?
6. Does the linking sentence signal that it is the
opposing side speaking and not the writer?
7. Does the linking sentence tie back to the
opposing viewpoint or it argues for sthg
else?
1. Are there proper signals to show that it is a
rebuttal /the writer is speaking?
2. Is there a relevant and logical topic sentence
that argues on behalf of the writers thesis
and yet engages/confronts head-on the main
point of the CA?
3. Is it a stronger rebuttal that tackles the
assumptions of the counterargument? Or the
CA remains undefeated?
4. Does the expl. hark back to the topic
sentence of this rebuttal or it discusses sthg
else or several other points in one
paragraph?
5. Is the evidence strong or weak? Credible,
current?
6. Does the linking sentence signal that it is the
writer speaking and not the opposition?
7. Does the linking sentence tie back to the
thesis and qn or it argues for sthg else?
1. Is there a signal that it is the conclusion?
2. Does it sum up only the salient points in an
interesting and economical way?
3. Are there
quotations/allusions/analogies/further
intelligent questions asked?
4. Further insights that probes beneath the

Overall Assessment:
Please circle your choice
below.
Band A+/A/ABand B+/B/BBand C+/C/CBand D+/D/D-

surface?
5. Extensions to solutions, new vistas in
perspective?
6. Does it end in a pleasing way, tying back to
the introduction?
1. Would you change your preliminary
assessment?
2. What band would you place this essay in?
[see bands] Is it on the high end or low? Pl.
circle on the left side.
3. Why?
-Is it structured well [with distinct
introduction, body and conclusion]with good
linking words and proper signalling?
-are the paragraphs structured well with
PEEL?
-Is the thesis rational and supportable? Or It
is lunatic and suicidal to choose such a
stand?
-do the T.S. offer good reasons/showing
knowledge and research or they are
missing/unclear?
-is the expl. clear and in-depth, answering all
the whys until there is no more to ans? [ that
is, reasonably within the time given and still
relevant?]
-Is the expl. simplistic and
exaggerated/childish/trivial/immature?
-Is the evidence impressive showing
knowledge and research/very current up to
the minute/very interesting/ predictable or
outdated/boring?
-Is the introduction attention-catching?
-Is the conclusion a good reminder of what
was said in the essay without being
repetitive and adds an extra touch of
originality so as to leave a good impression?
-Does the whole essay have the X factor: a
strong point of view, fully convicted,
humourous, witty, capable of irony, able to
evoke emotions and atmosphere? [Language
has to be good too to be awarded an A]