Marking guide
Get Up and Go — Activities for Older People
Purpose
To persuade readers to take up some exercise.
Readers
Older people, perhaps interested in health.
Important Ideas
At least five of the following (encourage learners to go section by section):
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Get Up and Go is a leaflet about how older people can become more active.
It covers the benefits of taking some exercise, regardless of age and level of
fitness.
What the membership options are and how much they cost.
List of dance, gym and relaxation classes available.
Section on sports that the reader can participate in (golf, tennis, bowling,
swimming).
Information on a class especially for people with diabetes.
Information on a class especially for people who have suffered heart problems.
A map of all the leisure facilities open to the reader in Edinburgh.
Coloured photo of older people taking exercise on the front of the leaflet.
Evaluation
At least 50-70 words could be expected, clearly evaluating whether the leaflet has
met its purpose, with reference to content, style and conventions such as graphics
and layout. In this case learners need to decide whether or not the leaflet would
succeed in persuading the reader to take up exercise.
Evaluative comments might include:
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The heading Get Up and Go sounds motivational and encouraging. It also uses a
cliché which is slightly amusing.
The picture of the two people on the front cover reminds readers that exercise is
an option for everyone.
It is easy to read and understand.
The information is well-structured in different sections.
The full coloured photos and yellow boxes make it colourful and attractive.
The graphics on the front cover (and throughout) show people doing a whole
range of activities and they look like they are enjoying themselves! This
reinforces the idea of variety and fun.
The subheadings use positive language and speak directly to the reader. ‘It’s
never too late to start!’ ‘Why become more active?’ ‘More leisure for your money’.
The section on health benefits encourages exercise.
The detailed information on the classes, activities and facilities makes taking
more exercise sound possible and accessible.
FOR INTERNAL VERIFICATION ONLY
Expiry Date: July 2012
Signed by
Sample learner response 1 — Reading
Planning Sheet A
Name:
Date:
Title of what you read: Get Up and Go — Activities for older adults
Your response
Tutor feedback
What was the main
purpose of the piece of
writing?
- to maintain a fit and healthy
lifestyle.
That might be the
purpose of the
‘activities’ but what
is the purpose of a
leaflet about the
activities on offer?
What were the
important ideas?
The main ideas of this is to have a
longer healthier lifestyle. It is also
to help older adults with type 2
diabetes which doing fitness can
help prevent it from getting worse
and help maintain a healthier heart.
There are many sporting activities
that sports centres offer like
swimming, tennis, golf and much
more.
I don’t think you’ve
covered enough of
the important
information is this.
‘People with type 2
diabetes’ is one
good main idea, as
is the list of
activities that sports
centres offer. What
else does the leaflet
cover?
The layout is neat and tidy.
So why are these
images effective?
What effect might
they have on an
older adult looking
at the leaflet?
List them briefly, in your
own words.
How successful was the
piece of writing in what
it was trying to do?
Refer to conventions
such as layout, format
and language.
The images of this leaflet show
older adults participating in
sporting activities.
‘Why become more active? Did you
know that few adults meet the
recommended level of 30 minutes
of physical activity on most days,
yet the benefits of regular
exercise are well documented at all
stages of life.’
‘Everyone can benefit from
physical activity, no matter what
your age, size or fitness level’
FOR INTERNAL VERIFICATION ONLY
Expiry Date: July 2012
Signed by
Good choice of
quotation but why
do you think these
parts of the leaflet
are effective? What
is effective about the
words or the
question?
Commentary: Sample learner response 1 — Reading
The advantage of getting learners to provide initial responses in note form on
Planning Sheet A is the opportunity to provide feedback at an early stage, of either
formative or summative assessment. The writing experience of Planning Sheet B is
beneficial as it allows the development of ideas and notes into sentences and
sections. Additionally, it may provide evidence for the Writing skill.
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For this learner, a clearer idea of purpose and more focus on the intended reader
may help create a better evaluation response. Although two conventions of the
piece have been picked out, the response does not yet focus on the success or
effectiveness of the piece of writing.
Main ideas response is patchy. There is some understanding of two key parts of
the leaflet but they are not indicative of an overall understanding or a complete
reading of the leaflet.
FOR INTERNAL VERIFICATION ONLY
Expiry Date: July 2012
Signed by
Sample learner response 2 — Reading
Planning Sheet B
Report on ‘Get Up and Go!’
1 Introduction
The purpose of this leaflet is to persuade older people to do some exercise.
2 Main Ideas
It is about how older people can become more active. It covers the benefits of taking
some exercise. It says it doesn’t matter what your age is or how fit you are. It gives a
list of activities and sports you can participate in. It tells you what you can do if you
have diabetes or if you have had a heart attack.
3 Evaluation
The picture of the two people on the front cover tells you that exercise is for
everyone, it doesn’t matter what age you are. They look like they are enjoying
themselves! The names of the classes like ‘dance around the world’ and ‘get up and
go active life’ sound really fun. The names would encourage you to go. The map with
all the leisure centres on it makes you think that you would not have to go far to get
some exercise and that there is a lot of choice.
Commentary: Sample learner response 2 — Reading
In this response, the learner has given adequate coverage of the main ideas
summarised using own words fairly well. It covers the specific skill. The learner has
evaluated clearly in terms of the writer’s aim, by considering graphics and language.
This learner has satisfied the requirements for the skill of Reading at SCQF
level 4.
Using a report format to present the answers means, in theory, there is an
opportunity to provide some evidence for the skill of Writing. This report would not be
long enough to satisfy the requirements of the Writing skill, but could contribute to a
portfolio of linked pieces. Most tutors will, however, use Planning Sheet B as a
formative exercise in report writing at SCQF level 4.
FOR INTERNAL VERIFICATION ONLY
Expiry Date: July 2012
Signed by