Self and Peer Assessment: Macbeth essay

Name of writer:
Name of marker:

Question: ‘Macbeth’ is a play about the dangers of unrestrained ambition. Discuss this
statement in a structured essay, with detailed reference to the play to support
your argument.

Criteria Marks
 Composes a sophisticated response to the ideas in the play and to
the essay question
 Demonstrates a sophisticated ability to evaluate the play’s dramatic
and literary features 17-20
 Demonstrates a sophisticated ability to organise, develop and
express ideas using written language appropriate to purpose and
form
 Composes an effective response to the ideas in the play and to the
essay question
 Demonstrates an effective ability to evaluate the play’s dramatic and
13-16
literary features
 Demonstrates an effective ability to organise, develop and express
ideas using written language appropriate to purpose and form
 Composes a sound response to the ideas in the play and to the essay
question
 Demonstrates a sound ability to explain the play’s dramatic and
9-12
literary features
 Demonstrates a sound ability to organise, develop and express ideas
using written language appropriate to purpose and form

Comments:
Elaborating on the criteria

Circle any that you think need attention. Once you receive a form back from your peer reviewer,
consider also using the points to review your own essay.

Composes a response to the ideas in the play and to the essay question

 Intro: The essay features a clear thesis statement that interprets the question
 Introduction is long enough to encompass the usual elements and establish a clear
sense of the text and the arguments
 MB: Clear arguments that address the question in topic sentences
 MB: The arguments are developed across the paragraph

Demonstrates an ability to explain the play’s dramatic and literary features

 MB paragraphs feature sustained analysis (rather than too much discussion or plot)
 Analyses according to specific scenes wherever possible
 Essay encompasses the five acts (eg. doesn’t just focus on first half of play)
 Analyses a range of literary features
 Includes quotes to support analysis
 Analyses a range of dramatic features
 When analysing, comments on the audience – the impact on us

Demonstrates an ability to organise, develop and express ideas using written language
appropriate to purpose and form

 Formally introduce text: composer, title, form (Tragedy), date.

 Title is always identified through underline or italics or ‘’ (especially important
when main character same as title)
 Main Body paragraphs are of equal and reasonable length.
 The grammar is accurate
 Topic sentences are clear and fluent.
 The rest of the expression is clear and fluent
 The vocab is effective