Essay 4 Criteria and checklist
Criteria for a good essay
The essays will be assessed according to the following criteria and the extent to
which you perform across them. Criteria sheets similar to that shown in Appendix
D will be used by your tutor and relevant comments returned to you attached to
your marked essay. The criteria have been arranged to reflect the broad sequence
of writing your essay, and is therefore divided into two broad
areas: Research and Content. Each area has particular criteria which need to
be addressed. The criteria comprise:
RESEARCH
Research
criteria



Interpretation of the question (understanding of the nature and context of
the essay question, as well as explaining key concepts);
Extent of research (number, variety and difficulty of the references used);
Comprehension of source materials (ability to select relevant points from
the readings; ability to distinguish between various arguments including
the
development/diversification
of
ideas;
and
ability
to
synthesize/summarise ideas)
Having completed the research phase you are now ready to construct your
argument and communicate your ideas as effectively and convincingly as possible.
CONTENT
Content &
Argument
 Quality of argument (development of a logically-structured argument; use
of appropriate supporting evidence; critical evaluation of ideas; and
relevance in dealing with the essay topic)
 Communication of argument (writing skills; use of appropriate data
presentation methods; and use of appropriate bibliographic conventions)
For each of the twelve specific criteria, a mark (tick) will show you your
achievement level – High, Medium, Low, and Not Satisfactory. In some cases,
your tutor may indicate inconsistency and/or make special comments for each
criteria. Remember that the criteria are often interdependent e.g. a poorly
researched essay will have poor content, and poor communication will spoil even
the best research.
Work marked in the School of Geography & Environmental Science will be
returned to you graded according to the following system:
Grading
A grade of HD indicates a score of 80% or better. A grade of D indicates a score in
the range of 70 - 79% A grade of C indicates a score in the range of 60 - 69% A
grade of P indicates a score in the range of 50 - 59% A grade of P2 indicates a
score in the range of 45 - 49% A grade of N indicates a score in the range of 0 44%.
The marker may in addition indicate by the use of + and - signs whether you are
respectively at the top or bottom of the particular mark range (eg. C+ to indicate a
grade probably in the high 70s).
Miscellaneous Check List
* Essays should have a title, which should be the question asked, or topic raised
for review or analysis.
* Pages should be numbered and each page should carry your name. Your
name, practical session day and time and your tutors name (if relevant) should be
listed on the front page.
* Foreign expressions should be in italics, but as some people do not have
access to italics, these expressions should be underlined (ie. a priori, inter alia,
per se, etc.).
* The Harvard (or ‘in text’) referencing system is the preferred method of
citation.
* All figures and tables must be numbered and provided with brief
clear captions. Captions are placed below figures and above tables. Figures and
tables must show the source of their information and these sources must be listed
in the bibliography (see Appendix B). You must refer specifically to each
figure/table in the text.
* Books and articles are not listed in separate bibliographies. They
appear together in alphabetical order. If the same author has produced more than
one work, the entries should be in chronological order. If the same author has
produced multiple works in the one year they should be referred to as 1995(a),
1995(b), etc.
* Please check your essay’s spelling and written expression. If you are aware of
any particular difficulties, make use of the specialist courses for first year
students run at the beginning of first semester in basic study methods and essay
writing, etc. in all faculties. If you feel you need extra assistance just ask the
friendly staff at your Faculty information desk. But don’t leave it too late - the
courses are usually only in the first few weeks. Special introductory sessions are
also available at all Monash libraries in the first couple of weeks of semester, but
again the onus is on you to sign up and attend.
* It is most important that you retain a copy (photocopy or draft) of
your essay. Essays can go astray, so this is a useful 'insurance policy' and will
save you much time and effort should your essay be misplaced.
* Essays should be submitted, by 5 pm on the due date, as prescribed in the unit
guide, or detailed on the unit’s moodle page. If you need an extension of time to
finish your essay please see your lecturer or tutor before the due date. Penalties
will apply to late essays at the rate outlined in the unit
guide. VCE Enhancement students may have special arrangements with their
teacher and the Course Co-ordinator for the submission of tutorial/practical and
essay material.
* Please note that "computer problems" and "printer problems" are not
acceptable excuses for essay extensions. Make sure that you produce a hard
(paper) copy of your essay periodically so if your computer fails you can submit a
hand written version of your essay.
* Do not fax your essay to the department. It will not be accepted under any
circumstances and a late penalty will apply.
* All forms of plagiarism will be dealt with severely. Unauthorised copying of
work without proper citation is regarded as cheating and severe penalties apply
throughout the university (see Faculty Handbooks)