Foundation Year: Study Skills for Higher Education

Marks Awarded

(70%+)

(60-69%)

(50-59%)

(40-49%)

(30-39%)

Discuss seven of the features of academic writing mentioned in the article above. (LO1)

The work discusses seven of the features of academic writing mentioned in the article and provides a wide variety of reasons for why they are important. It shows very thorough interpretation and analysis.  

The work discusses 5 or 6 of the features of academic writing mentioned in the article and provides a decent variety of reasons for why they are important. It shows some competent interpretation and analysis.  

The work discusses at least 5 of the features of academic writing mentioned in the article. However, the work is mostly descriptive and little analysis is provided.

The work shows some awareness of academic writing but is descriptive rather than analytical. It may not focus sufficiently on the features mentioned in the article.

There may be some errors or misunderstandings.

The work shows some awareness of academic writing

but lacks detail and relevance. There are significant errors and misunderstandings.

Essay style and referencing 

The work competently analyses and evaluates a range of academic sources in order to identify and develop a wide range of relevant conclusions. References are correctly provided following Harvard style. The work is clearly structured with well written sentences and paragraphs throughout.

The work shows some evaluation and analysis of a variety of sources in order to identify and develop some relevant conclusions. References are provided following Harvard style. The work is clearly structured with mostly well written sentences and paragraphs throughout.

The work shows some analysis of several sources in order to identify some relevant conclusions. References are provided following Harvard style though there may be errors and omissions. The work shows some organisation and sentences, and paragraphs are relatively clear. There may be some errors and misunderstanding or the arguments may not be sufficiently relevant.

The work shows some understanding but little attempt to utilise sources. There is an attempt at referencing but with serious errors and omissions. The work lacks organisation and sentence and paragraph structure need development. There may be some errors and misunderstanding or the arguments may not be sufficiently relevant.

The work lacks organisation and there is poor sentence and paragraph structure. There is no evidence of research or attempt at referencing. The work makes some suggestions but these lack relevance with frequent errors and misunderstanding.

Identify seven key skills which are commonly taught in this course and discuss why they will help students succeed in their university career. (LO3)

The work accurately identifies seven key skills that are taught in the course and discusses why they will help students succeed in their university career. It provides competent interpretation and analysis.

The work accurately identifies 5 or 6 key skills that are taught in the course and discusses why they will help students succeed in their university career. It provides some interpretation and analysis.

The work identifies some of skills that are commonly taught in the course but lacks evaluation in some parts.

The work identifies some of the skills but is descriptive rather than analytical. There may be errors or misunderstandings.

The work attempts to discuss skills however there are significant errors or misunderstandings.

Use of academic writing and drawing conclusions

(LO4)

The work draws relevant conclusions based on competent interpretation and analysis. There is a high level of academic writing throughout, and the report is highly readable and well-structured.

The work draws some relevant conclusions based on interpretation and analysis. There is a good level of academic writing throughout, and the report communicates effectively, with only minor lapses.

The work shows some competent interpretation and analysis. There is a good attempt at academic writing though with some omissions. The report communicates relatively effectively but with some lapses.

The language is mostly descriptive, and the English is not sufficiently academic. The report structure needs improvement.

The writing style is not academic. There is little attempt to follow the structure of a report.

Quality of referencing

(LO4)

The work utilizes a very expansive range of sources and theorists which are relevant to the task and organises material effectively. Harvard referencing is correctly applied throughout.

The work utilizes a good range of sources and theorists which are relevant to the task and mostly organises material effectively. Harvard referencing is correctly applied through with occasional exceptions.

The work utilizes a range of sources and theorists which are mostly relevant to the task and shows some organisation. Harvard referencing is mostly applied correctly though errors occur.

The work provides some evidence of a few sources and theorists though relevance to the task is limited, and the material is not well organised. Harvard referencing may be attempted but there are frequent errors.

There is little evidence of sources and Harvard referencing is not attempted.