Functional Skills Diagnostic Writing Assessment
Mark Scheme
This Writing assessment should be used alongside the Reading assessment to establish the most appropriate Functional English Level for
each learner.
Tick the appropriate description on the mark grid to indicate the level achieved by the learner in each category. These ticks indicate the
level the learner is currently working at.
The Functional English level to be studied should be challenging but must not skip levels.
For example: All E3 ticks would indicate that Level 1 Functional English is appropriate, not level 2.
A mix of E3 and L1 would still indicate Level 1 Functional English as most appropriate as the learner is still displaying Entry Level skills.
Level of Functional English recommended:
Comments:
Name of Learner……………………………………....................................... Date………………………..........
Programme…………………………………..................................................
E1
E2
Assessor…………………………
E3
L1
L2
Audience,
purpose &
effect
The writer shows little or
no awareness of the
reader.
Begins to show awareness
of audience, with some
appropriate information.
Limited clarity and detail.
Conveys meaning appropriate to
audience with reasonable clarity,
information & detail.
Writing communicates relevant
information and uses language
for specific audience
successfully, with minor lapses.
Developed level of appropriate
detail.
Able to present complex
information/ideas clearly and
concisely with occasional lapses
to sustain the reader's interest
throughout.Uses language for
the specific purpose throughout
e.g. persuasive/formal.
Format,
Features &
Layout
Only isolated statements
present
Simple opening which gets
the reader's interest. Some
idea of an ending shown,
however simple.
Ideas are sustained and in the
main, logically
sequenced/organised.
Beginnings of use of paragraphs
Reasonable conclusion.
Paragraphing is appropriate &
helpful in clarifying the
organisation of the text.
Format features mostly relevant
to task e.g. letter
Good, strong introductory
paragraph. Well organised,
sequenced middle paragraphs.
Endings are directly related to
main theme.
Sentence
Structure
Use of simple words and
phrases. Some simple
sentences.
Use of mainly simple
grammatically correct past
tense statements usually
starting with subject & verb.
Some compound sentences
using simple connectives.
Use of both simple and
compound sentences using
simple connectives. (i.e. and,
but, or).
More complex sentences are
used using a variety of
connectives (e.g. although,
however).
Simple & complex sentences
successfully interweave
dialogue, action & description.
Punctuation
Some evidence of full
stops being used but not
always correctly.
Capital letters & end of
sentence punctuation used
accurately most of the time.
No evidence of punctuation
within sentence.
Accurate use of end of sentence
punctuation e.g. !?. Evidence of
beginning to use punctuation
within sentences, but not always
used accurately.
Accurate use of end of sentence
punctuation. Commas usually
used appropriately. Speech
marks used but not always
accurately.
Mostly accurate use of all
punctuation including commas,
apostrophes, speech marks
(including punctuation within
speech marks). Minor lapses.
Grammar
Some understanding of
word order.
Writer is beginning to show
understanding of use of
tense and subject/verb
agreement. Mainly speech
conventions used.
Basic grammar is correct.
Appropriate tense most of the
time. Subject/verb agreement
(e.g. I was, we were).
Mostly correct use of grammar,
consistent use of tense and
subject verb agreement.
Use of grammar is mainly
accurate and supports meaning.
Spelling
A few key words spelt
correctly. Reasonable
attempt at other key
words. Unfamiliar words
are recognisable.
Most
common/everyday
words spelled correctly (e.g.
what, all, from, numbers to
20,days of week). Longer
words recognisable.
With few exceptions spelling of
common everyday words are
correct.
Spelling used mostly with
accuracy, with some lapses.
Accurate spelling of common
everyday words, choice of words
showing confidence to spell not
only the easiest words to spell.
Presentation
Overall, disjointed or
uneven but showing some
features of legibility. Mix of
upper & lower case letters.
Overall handwriting is legible
but with some variation in
size & position.
A legible, reasonably neat text.
A legible, neatly presented text.
A legible, neat text with a
minimum of alterations.