2020 Year 11 and 12 ATAR ENGLISH Marking Key

Section 1 – Comprehending

Criteria Standard Mark

Comprehension Detailed and sophisticated analysis/comparison of text/s with carefully chosen evidence and appropriate terminology 6-7
of Text/s relating to the question.
Thorough analysis/comparison of text/s with appropriate evidence and terminology relating to the question. 4-5
Limited understanding of text/s with minimal analysis/comparison; retell of text with limited engagement with the 1-3
question.
Not attempted or entirely irrelevant analysis. 0

Structure and Succinct and coherent; sophisticated vocabulary and expression; few minor errors 3
Expression Clear and logical; vocabulary and expression; a few errors 2
Unstructured and/or underdeveloped expression; frequent errors 1
Does not demonstrate control over grammar and expression; ideas unstructured. 0

Section 3 - Creating

Criteria Standard Mark

Engagement Sustained and innovative content that addresses the nuances of the question. 8 – 10
with Question Competent and thoughtful response that addresses the demands of the question. 6–7
Limited, predictable or clichéd engagement with the question. 3–5
Response that does not address the question; irrelevant but interesting content. 0–2

Control of Fluently written with sophisticated vocabulary, highly developed personal voice and flair; few minor errors. 8 – 10
Language and Competently written with effective vocabulary and emerging voice; some errors. 6–7
Expression Uncontrolled writing with limited or inappropriate vocabulary and/or tone; frequent errors. 3–5
Insufficiently developed or displayed writing skills; two or three points with little structure or development. 0–2

Structure and Deliberate and specific manipulation of conventions of chosen form for chosen audience and purpose. 8 – 10
Expression Effective control of conventions of chosen form for an audience and/or purpose. 6–7
Limited understanding and/or use of conventions of chosen form with little consideration of audience or purpose. 3–5
Insufficiently developed or displayed use of conventions of chosen form. 0–2

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2020 Year 11 and 12 ATAR ENGLISH Marking Key
Section 2 – Responding

Criteria Standard Mark

Question Presents a sophisticated thesis in relation to the question that addresses the key ideas, thoroughly and insightfully 9 - 10
Engagement makes reference to the thesis throughout the response.
Presents a detailed clear thesis in relation to the question that addresses the key ideas; sustains reference to the 7–8
thesis throughout the response.
Presents a clear thesis in relation to the question that addresses the key ideas or most of the key ideas: attempts 5–6
to make reference to the thesis throughout the response but may need more focus and direction.
Attempts to present a thesis in relation to the question proposition. Either needs to make reference to the thesis 3–4
more consistently or has misconception of the question or key ideas in question.
Presents a limited engagement with the question and the key ideas. 1-2
Does not engage with the question. 0

Knowledge Presents a comprehensive and critical understanding of the studied text(s). 9 - 10

of Text Presents a sound understanding of the studied text(s); shows good critical awareness. 7–8
Presents a general understanding of the studied text(s); shows some critical awareness. 5–6
Shows some understanding of the studied text(s); demonstrates little critical awareness. 3–4
Shows little understanding of the studied text(s); demonstrates limited critical awareness. 1-2
Shows no understanding of the studied text(s). 0

Critical Consistently supports argument with carefully chosen details, including a range of techniques and text 9 - 10
Literacy conventions.
Consistently supports argument with relevant details, including techniques and text conventions. 7–8
Supports most of argument with some relevant details, including techniques and text conventions. 5–6
Supports some of argument with some relevant details, techniques and/or text conventions: may misuse some 3–4
evidence.
Attempts to support argument with details, techniques and/or text conventions, but misuses evidence often or 1-2
uses very little evidence.
Does not attempt to support argument 0

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2020 Year 11 and 12 ATAR ENGLISH Marking Key

Written Sustains a fluent and articulate response and demonstrates a sustained control of grammar, vocabulary, spelling 5
Expression and punctuation.
Presents a readable response, mostly controlling grammar, vocabulary, spelling and punctuation. 4
Expresses some ideas clearly. Some areas of the response may be difficult to follow. 3
Shows little control of mechanics of grammar, vocabulary, spelling and punctuation and demonstrates somewhat 2
limited control of language conventions.
Shows no control of mechanics of grammar, vocabulary, spelling and punctuation and demonstrates limited 0-1
control of language conventions.

Structure Presents a sustained and coherently developed structure that introduces, organises and concludes points of 5
argument in clear topic sentences in linked paragraphs
Presents a clear structure that introduces, organises and concludes points of argument in clear topic sentences in 4
linked paragraphs.
Presents a structured response; introduces, organises and concludes most points of argument in clear topic 3
sentences in linked paragraphs.
Presents a response with some structure; attempts to introduce, organise and conclude argument, but needs to do 2
so more consistently; may need dearer topic sentences and/or linked paragraphs.
Presents a response with little structure; needs to structure paragraphs more clearly. 1
Presents a response that lacks any structure. 0

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