Argumentative Essay Marking Scheme (Modified@2021 English Teaching Course)
Name of Student: ________________________
Level 5 (or above)
-A wide variety of sentence structures, with
Tone & Vocabulary (25%)
minimal errors
Grammar &
-Very few syntactic or grammatical errors even
in complex sentences.
-Wide range of vocabulary always correctly used.
-Appropriate use of a range of cohesive devices
Cohesion,
Register
and conjunctions
(25%)
-Appropriate tone and register (e.g. use of
hedging) throughout.
-Focus very clear and content very relevant
throughout the whole essay, representing the
argument very accurately and appropriately.
Content
(40%)
-Arguments are very well explained and
supported with effective examples/conditional
phrases
-Counter-argument dealt with very effectively.
-Introduction progresses from general to
Organization
specific and provides highly relevant and
(10%)
adequate background information.
-Sound conclusion rounds off with a highly
relevant final thought.
-Clear and effective paragraphing throughout.
Basic Requirements Achieved: __________________
i. Between 400 to 1000 words
ii. No repetition of words or phrases, consecutively
excluding proper names and technical terms
iii. Clear organization, wordings. Reader able to understand
the piece in a clear manner
Total Marks: _______________/21 Possible Grade:
Section no.:________________
Level 4
-A variety of sentence structures but some noticeable
syntactic or grammatical errors in complex sentences.
-Good range of vocabulary mostly correctly used.
-Mostly appropriate use of cohesive devices
-Tone and register (e.g. use of hedging) mostly
appropriate, with only occasional minor lapses.
-Focus clear but content contains lapses in relevance.
-Most arguments are explained adequately but with
minor lapses that can lead to misunderstanding of
situation
-Counter-argument dealt with fairly effectively.
-Introduction progresses from general to specific and
provides relevant background information but not
adequate.
-Appropriate conclusion rounds off with a somehow
relevant final thought.
-Paragraphing generally appropriate.
Comments Section:
Level 3
-Limited range of sentence structures.
-Incorrect use of complex sentences and
syntactic or grammatical errors.
- Complex vocabulary rarely used or
sometimes wrongly used.
-Occasional overuse/under use of cohesive
devices, with minor usage errors.
-Constant changes in tone and register, not
sticking to one particular tone
-Focus unclear or content contains omissions
and irrelevances.
-Arguments are not adequately, overall content
is rather weak in supporting the writer’s
points.
-Rebuttal or counter is irrelevant or weak.
-Introduction does not progress from general
to specific or it contains either irrelevant or
inadequate background information.
-Conclusion contains irrelevancies or
unnecessary repetition.
-Unprincipled and messy paragraphing
Marks
Level 2 or below
-Restricted to basic sentence structures.
-Frequent grammatical errors, even in basic
sentences, misuse of grammatical techniques
-Errors even in basic vocabulary.
[e.g. Parts of Speech, word choice]
/7
-Inappropriate use/ under-use or over-use of
cohesive devices.
-Inconsistent in tone and register
-Focus is unclear and there are obvious
omissions and lapses in relevance of content.
-Arguments are not adequately explained and
often irrelevant to the writer’s points. /7
-Counter-argument not dealt with at all.
-Introduction does not progress from general
to specific and provides inadequate and
irrelevant background information. /7
-Conclusion is illogical and weak.
-Paragraphing confusing and requires
concentration to follow.
Expository/Descriptive Essay Marking Scheme (Modified@2021 English Teaching Course)

Marks
Level 5 (or above) Level 4 Level 3 Level 2 or below
-A wide variety of sentence structures, with -A variety of sentence structures but some noticeable -Limited range of sentence structures. -Restricted to basic sentence structures.
Vocabulary (25%)

minimal errors syntactic or grammatical errors in complex sentences.

Grammar &

-Very few syntactic or grammatical errors even
in complex sentences.
-Wide range of vocabulary (descriptive
language) always correctly used.
-Appropriate use of a range of cohesive devices
Cohesion,
-Good range of vocabulary mostly correctly used.
-Mostly appropriate use of cohesive devices
-Incorrect use of complex sentences and
syntactic or grammatical errors.
- Complex vocabulary rarely used or
sometimes wrongly used.
-Occasional overuse/under use of cohesive
-Frequent grammatical errors, even in basic
sentences, misuse of grammatical techniques
-Errors even in basic vocabulary.
[e.g. Parts of Speech, word choice]
/7
-Inappropriate use/ under-use or over-use of

Register
Tone &

and conjunctions - Tone mostly consistent with the genre and theme of devices, with minor usage errors. cohesive devices.
(25%)

-Tone consistent with the genre and theme of the the question
question

-Focus very clear and content very relevant
throughout the whole essay, representing the
argument very accurately and appropriately.
Content
(40%)
-Focus clear but content contains lapses in relevance. -Focus unclear or content contains omissions -Focus is unclear.
and irrelevances.
- largely clear descriptions of events and details, minor - extremely vague storyline/timeline. No
errors or inconsistent with story/passage, but still able - vague timeline/storyline, can understand consistencies

- creative content, with clear descriptions of to understand the passage as a whole. several details of story/descriptive essay /7
events and details.

-Clear and effective paragraphing throughout. -Paragraphing generally appropriate. - contains either irrelevant or inadequate -Provides inadequate and irrelevant
Organization

Relevant ending, creative ending. Able to link - Relevant ending, however in a simple manner. Able to background information. background information.
(10%)

back to the story itself. link back to the story itself. - Ending of story/passage contains -Ending of story/passage is illogical and weak. /7
irrelevancies or unnecessary repetition. -Paragraphing confusing and requires
-Unprincipled and messy paragraphing concentration to follow.

Basic Requirements Achieved: __________________ Comments Section:

1. Between 400 to 1000 words
2. No repetition of words or phrases, consecutively
excluding proper names and technical terms
3. Clear organization, wordings.

Total Marks: _______________/21 Possible Grade: