First Certificate paper 2 (Writing) - Mark Scheme

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EVALUATION CRITERIA FOR FIRST CERTIFICATE PAPER 2 - WRITING -


PAPER 2 - WRITING ►How is students’ written production assessed? Content: Candidates should include all the content points required in the task and expand them appropriately by providing explanations and/or examples. Accuracy: Candidates should have minimal language errors.


Range: Candidates should use a very good range (=variety) of structures and vocabulary. Organisation and cohesion: A good answer should be clearly organised with suitable use of cohesive devices (consequently, therefore, in addition, however, etc). Register (=style) and format: The register (formal/informal) should be appropriate to the task and the right format should be used. For instance, a letter to the manager of a company must be


formal and follow the correct format and conventions. Target reader: Candidates should have in mind the reasons why they are writing (to inform, complain, describe, persuade, entertain). A good answer should achieve the desired effect on the reader.


►Which marks are given in the Writing paper? Students’ work is given a mark expressed in bands. There are 5 bands in the paper: Band 5, 4, 3, 2, 1. The minimum passing band for paper 2 is band 3 (60-70%).


BAND 5 Content: In a band 5 answer, all the content points required in the task are included* and expanded appropriately. Accuracy: The language is well developed, and any errors that occur are minimal and perhaps due to attempts at more complex language. Organisation and cohesion: Clearly organised in paragraphs. Ideas are organised effectively, with a variety of linking devices. Range: A wide range of structures and vocabulary is used. Register/format: Register and format are consistently appropriate to the purpose of the task and the audience. Target reader: The candidate’s writing fully achieves the desired effect on the target reader. * Candidates who do not address all the content points will be penalised for dealing inadequately with the requirements of the task.


BAND 4 Content: In a band 4 answer, all the content points required in the task are included*, with suitable expansion. Accuracy: Generally, the language is accurate, and any errors that do occur are mainly due to attempts at more complex language. Organisation and cohesion: Organised in paragraphs. Ideas are clearly organised with suitable linking devices. Range: A good range of structures and vocabulary is used. Register/format: Register and format are, in general, appropriate to the purpose of the task and the audience. Target reader: The candidate’s writing achieves the desired effect on the target reader. * Candidates who do not address all the content points will be penalised for dealing inadequately with the requirements of the task.


BAND 3 Content: In a band 3 answer, all the content points required in the task are included*. Accuracy: A number of errors may be present, but they do not affect communication. Organisation and cohesion: Organised in paragraphs. Ideas are organised adequately, with the use of simple linking devices. Range: An adequate range of structure and vocabulary is used. Register/format: A reasonable, if not always successful, attempt is made at register and format which is appropriate to the purpose of the task and the audience. Target reader: The candidate’s writing achieves the desired effect on the target reader in general. * Candidates who do not address all the content points will be penalised for dealing inadequately with the requirements of the task.

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BAND 2 Content: Some content points required in the task are inadequately covered or omitted, and/or there is some irrelevant material. Accuracy: Errors distract the reader and may obscure communication at times. Organisation and cohesion: Ideas are inadequately organised, and linking devices are rarely used. Range: The range of structure and vocabulary is limited. Register/format: Attempts at appropriate register and format are unsuccessful or inconsistent. Target reader: The candidate’s writing does not clearly communicate the message to the target reader.


BAND 1 Content: There is notable omission of content points and/or considerable irrelevance, possibly due to wrong interpretation of the task. Accuracy: Frequent errors obscure communication. Organisation and cohesion: There is a lack of organisation or linking devices. Range: The range of structure and vocabulary is very poor. Register/format: There is little or no awareness of appropriate register and format. Target reader: The candidate’s writing has a very negative effect on the target reader. BAND 0 There is either too little language for assessment or the candidate’s writing is totally irrelevant or totally illegible


LIST OF CORRECTION SYMBOLS vb

wrong verb tense (He get up  gets)

vp

wrong verb pattern (I enjoy to go 

ww

wrong word / expression

going)

missing word prep

wrong preposition

art

wrong / unnecessary article

sp

wrong spelling

gr

incorrect grammar structure

(I think is wrong  I think it is wrong) w/o

wrong word order (In 2000 was born

punct

wrong punctuation

n/c

not clear / unclear

sty (reg)

wrong style / register

Tom  In 2000 Tom was born / Tom was born in 2000 )


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