7/30/2019 Academic Writing Grading Rubrics

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Academic Writing

Content and task types

The Task 1 prompt is always a type of diagram. Youhave to write about the information shown,

describing the main features, trends or differences.You have to refer closely to the diagram and, where

relevant, illustrate your main points with figures. Youare not required to give any explanation for the data,but have to describe only the information given in

the task.

Task types may involve describing information from

a graph, chart or table a flow chart orprocess diagram a plan or map a diagram showing how something works a diagram showing or comparing objects

a set of small diagrams

In Task 2 you are required to discuss an issue,question or opinion of general interest, and to giveyour own point of view. The topics do not requireyou to have specialist knowledge, but you have to beable to present ideas on general issues. The promptis usually a background statement introducing thetopic, followed by an instruction to the candidate.This instruction tells you how you should approachthe topic and it is very important that you spendtime analysing exactly what you are expected towrite about.Instruction types include:

giving and justifying opinions comparing opposing opinions evaluating advantages and disadvantages comparing arguments for and against analysing problems and suggesting solutions answering direct questions on an issue

For Task 2 you are expected to write in a formal style,appropriate for an academic exam.

Marking and assessment

Task 2 carries more marks than Task 1, so you shouldtake care to spend a full 40 minutes on Task 2.

Task 1 is assessed in terms of

Task fulfilment: how well you have

reported and illustrated the main points

of the information.

Coherence and cohesion: how well you

have organised the information across

your answer and how you have linked

the ideas within and between

sentences.

Vocabulary and sentence structure: how

appropriately and accurately you have

used a range of language.

Task 2 is assessed in terms of.

Arguments, ideas and evidence: how

well you have been able to present

relevant ideas and opinions and

develop these into a well-supported

argument or point of view.

Communicative quality: how well you

have organised and linked your points

and ideas.

Vocabulary and sentence structure: how

appropriately and accurately you have

used a range

of language.

Your scores on these criteria are combined to give youa Task Band for each task. These are then combined

to give you a Final Band for Writing.