Criteria sheets can be unnecessarily confusing -> lets break down how to make sense of them!
1. Identify the key sections of the criteria
Criteria is typically built around different sections of the assessment – these sections can be used as a checklist to ensure you are including all the necessary information, detail and quality for a high grade.
Take an example from the QCAA Senior English Marking Guide!
Three of the key criteria sections can be used to structure an essay body paragraph: analysis of the writer’s choices, analysis of the ways ideas underpin the literary text and analysis of perspectives and representations.
2. Identify key words and their meanings
Criteria, especially those in the highest band of achievement, often use convoluted words, with very specific meaning to separate good work from great work.
See examples from VCE Senior English End of Year Examination (2017-23)
“Cogent, controlled, well-substantiated argument” = Logical, direct, evidence-based argument
“Assured, cohesively structured piece of writing” = A confident piece of writing, whose ideas are well connected.
3. Identify criteria you have interacted with in the past
Even if you haven’t completed the specific assessment task before, you have almost certainly used the skills the criteria is asking for in other class work/assessment. Be sure to identify elements of the criteria that pose a challenge, and consider how you might approach them. You can then have a more specific plan to approach the task, and structure your study.
See examples from HSC Senior English Criteria (2021)
“Demonstrates a well-informed understanding of context…” = Consider how to include analysis of historical and social context when writing an analytical essay
“Compose a piece of writing with a central metaphor…” = Practise not only writing an entertaining piece of writing, but one that manipulates aesthetic features in specific ways to develop a key message.
