R:  Rare, exceptional, sophisticated work!

A:  Advanced work–high standard, with some minor blemishes.

G:  Good work overall—moves beyond basic competence.

S:  Satisfactory work—shows basic competence.

M:  More work needed in this area to reach an acceptable academic standard.

I:   Incomplete or needs much more work in this area.

Content

Paper has an advanced, well-chosen topic that is clearly stated in the opening paragraph; appropriate, concrete details support the central idea and show originality and focus.

Paper includes a well-chosen topic and the writer successfully maintains complex idea(s) throughout.

Paper includes a clear topic and the topic or central idea is maintained throughout.

Organisation

Paper reflects a purposeful organisation of complex ideas, concepts, and information that clearly contributes to the reader’s understanding of the topic; and provides a concluding statement or section that follows from and supports information or explanation.

Paper reflects a purposeful organisation of complex ideas, concepts, and information; and provides a concluding statement or section that follows from and supports information or explanation.

Paper reflects an organisation of complex ideas, concepts, and information, and provides a concluding statement or section that follows from and supports information or explanation

Development

Paper clearly demonstrates consistent development of complex ideas, concepts, and information so that each new element builds upon that which precedes it to create a united whole; the writer also makes clear the important connections and distinctions between them; transitions are appropriate and varied

Paper demonstrates consistent development of complex ideas, concepts, and information so that each new element builds upon that which precedes it; the writer also makes clear the important connections and distinctions between them; transitions are appropriate and advanced.

Paper demonstrates consistent development of complex ideas, concepts, and information and makes clear the important connections and distinctions between them; transitions are appropriate and varied.

Support

Paper includes well-chosen, and the most significant and relevant facts, extended definitions, concrete details, or other information and examples, appropriate to the reader’s knowledge of the topic.

Paper includes well-chosen, relevant and sufficient facts, extended definitions, concrete details, or other information and examples appropriate to the reader’s knowledge of the topic.

Paper includes relevant and sufficient facts, extended definitions, concrete details, or other information and examples, appropriate to the reader’s knowledge of the topic.

Style

Sentences are extremely clear, effective, and coherent; vocabulary is broad and domain-specific to manage the complexity of the topic. Tone, word choice, and syntax are appropriate for the paper’s audience and purpose

Sentences are clear, effective, and coherent; vocabulary is broad. Tone, word choice, and syntax are appropriate for the paper’s audience and purpose

Word choice, sentence structure, and tone are generally successful at communicating the writer’s intentions and are appropriate for university-level writing.

Sources

Source citations are used well. Attribution phrases, if appropriate, are used effectively; source material is effectively integrated into and synthesised in the writer’s own writing.

Source citations are used appropriately. Attribution phrases, if appropriate, are used effectively; source material is well integrated into the writer’s own writing.

Source material appropriately supports the writer’s claims or ideas. Source citations are used correctly although occasional errors may occur.

Outstanding academic standard. Exceptional in every respect. Comprehensive, critical, balanced, & stimulating approach that demands full reader engagement.

Advanced work—almost reaches exceptional standard. Confident, thoughtful, detailed approach that maintains high reader engagement.

Very good work—communicates its message to the reader quite effectively but has some gaps or inconsistencies that need attention.

90+

85-90

80-84

75-80

70-74

65-70

Generally satisfactory work that shows a basic grasp of the task and some willingness to communicate with the reader, but some aspects need more attention.

Task shows a basic level of understanding but needs more work in key areas to engage the task comprehensively and communicate effectively with the reader.

Task needs much more work in most areas, or task is wrongly conceived and executed, or work is incomplete.

60-64

55-60

50-55

Less than 50