Name of Centre:

Learner achievement (please circle) NB: All learner achievement is provisional until confirmed at the AVA Awards Board

Level Achieved:L2

Final Grade Achieved (Level 3 units only)P

Resubmission?Y

Title of Access to HE Diploma:(e.g. Science)

Unit title(s): Essay WritingUnit code(s):

Learner: Tutor/Assessor:

Description of Assignment:

In order to achieve this unit you need to carefully read the assessment criteria for this unit on the following page and submit:

One 1200 word essay that meets the Essay Writing unit assessment criteria on a topic connected with an ethical issue in science. For example GM crops, euthanasia, stem cell research, abortion, animal experimentation, etc. You should write your own question but it must be approved by the teacher. Remember that any question you write must be such as to invite a discursive essay.

a 500-word commentary on how your essay:introduces the topic/question/task/ requirement

explores main points with supporting evidence & balanced, objective arguments

use linked paragraphs

use formal English

conclude with a summary of arguments

use either the Harvard or Numeric system of referencing.

Date set: Date for draft submission (if applicable): Date for final submission:

Extension date (if agreed): Signed by Tutor/Assessor to agree extension:

Date submitted:

Learner declaration:

The explanations and evaluations in this work have been developed and written by me.

I have not submitted material copied from the Internet, text books or other sources in place of my own thinking and writing.

When I have referred to the work of others I have done so to discuss, comment on or argue their ideas.

I have kept quotation and paraphrasing to an absolute minimum and only to support points I have made.

I understand that referencing the names of authors whose ideas I have used without including my own interpretation of those ideas, does not meet the assessment criteria and cannot attract the Pass, Merit or Distinction grades.

I have not copied the work of my peers

Continued over

Learner comments: (please use this space to comment on any aspect of the assignment when handing in your work)

Signature:Date:

TO THE LEARNER: Please attach this assignment brief to any written work you are handing in for assessment, or submit the brief as instructed. YOUR WORK CANNOT BE ASSESSED UNLESS YOU HAVE SIGNED AND SUBMITTED THIS FORM

Level 2/3(please circle)Unit title: Essay Writing

This assignment addresses the following Assessment Criteria from the unit (or a copy of the unit may be attached, if all AC are covered):

AC noLevel 3

1.1Analyse the requirements of the question or task.

1.2Cover the main points, omitting irrelevant detail.

1.3 Include material from own research.

2.1Include an introduction which comments on the subject & describes the treatment of it to follow in the essay.

2.2Balance ideas & arguments with evidence & examples.

2.3Use linking sentences in paragraphs to set the new ideas in the context of the arguments & the essay as a whole.

2.4Provide a conclusion which sums up the arguments & considers the implications

3.1Write in a detailed, balanced & objective manner.

3.2Write formal English avoiding emotive language & colloquialisms.

4.1Acknowledge the work of other authors both during the essay & in a list of references.

4.2Use the conventions of listing sources alphabetically by surname & including the author, title, publisher, date & place of publication.

Level 3 units only:Learners achieve a Pass if they meet all Level 3 Assessment Criteria for a unit. You will achieve a Merit or Distinction by meeting the following Grade Descriptors. Your tutor will give you feedback for all three grades.

Grade Descriptor 4Merit(Choose one or more relevant grade components)

Use of InformationLearner generally synthesises information with outcomes that are accurate & appropriate.

Grade Descriptor 5Merit(Choose one or more relevant grade components)

Communication & PresentationLearner shows very good command of language (including technical or specialist language), syntax, register, spelling & punctuation.

Grade Descriptor 7Merit(Choose one or more relevant grade components)

QualityLearners work is structured in a way that is generally logical & fluent.

Grade Guidance: Learners must carefully read the guidance below which is linked to the components above

MERIT: (e.g. To achieve a Merit your work will show..)For a Merit your answer will show that you have explored a range of possible responses to the essay title. Your essay must contain complex and logical argumentation. This means that you draw on various sources of information to support your argument that is organised in a sequence of connected points. Your answer will show the ability to summarise and evaluate the qualities of the sources you use. Throughout this essay your responses will show the ability to recognise and consider implicit information in the sources. This means you comment on hints, suggestions, connotations, irony and cultural inference. Your conclusion will clearly relate to your introduction and the sequence of your argumentation. Your commentary will explain clearly how your two essays meet the above requirements.

DISTINCTION: (e.g. To achieve a Distinction your work will show..)For a Distinction your answer will show that you have explored and reflected in detail on an extensive range of sources. Your essay will show the ability to draw on conflicting evidence. You will weigh-up the strengths and weaknesses of this evidence in a sequence of connected arguments. Your answer will include as an integral part of your answer evaluative summaries of the sources you refer to. Your answer will show the ability to comprehend the implications of the emphasis and bias in the sources you use and recognise how these influence the quality of your argument. Your answer will be cogent. This means that the elaboration of your argument is consistently supported from start to finish with carefully considered evidence. Your conclusion will be based on a balanced estimation of that evidence. Your commentary will explain cogently how your two essays meet the above requirements.

Part A: Feedback on credit level

AC noCredit achieved (L2/L3)Location of evidenceTutor/Assessor comments on assessment criteria(you could also indicate on the work itself where each AC is met)

Level achievedTutor/Assessors signature:Date:

Resubmission (if applicable) If any of the assessment criteria for this assignment have not been met at Level 3, a resubmission may be permitted. Resubmission must follow the QAA guidelines and be permitted only once.

Requirements for resubmission/new Task set:

Date Set:Date due:Date Submitted:

Feedback on resubmission:

Level achieved after resubmission:Tutor/Assessors signature:Date:

Part B: Feedback on grading (Applicable only if all assessment criteria achieved at Level 3)

Grade DescriptorTutor/Assessor comments against grade descriptorsGrade indicator(P/M/D)Please enter the final grade on page 1 based on this grade profile e.g. PPM=P

GD7: Quality

Tutor/Assessors reason for final grade decision (if applicable):

Assignment Brief and Feedback form(Unit with single assignment)