September 5 2010
Welcome to the Homepage for Essay-Based Work
Essays are discussed under the following headings, which are used to structure the evaluation of the essay. For the avoidance of doubt, these are guides to questions that should influence your view of the quality of an essay, not a checklist of questions that must be answered positively in order to award a pass or a particular grade.
Structure
- Is the structure essentially analytical, or can it be described more accurately as narrative or descriptive?
Introduction
- Does the essay have a recognisable introduction that indicates an understanding of the issue in the question?
- Does the introduction place the issue in its broader historical context?
- Does it indicate, where relevant, an awareness of a range of factors influencing a particular event or development?
Evidence
- Does the candidate communicate a sound understanding of the historical evidence?
- Is there sufficient evidence to address the issue?
- Is the evidence used in support of an argument, or is it merely presented?
- What is the quality of analysis contained in the development section?
- Is the candidate aware of potential (or actual) differences in interpretation, making reference to historiography where appropriate?
Conclusion
- Is there a recognisable conclusion?
- If so, is it merely a repetition, without discussion, of points made earlier in the essay, or does it summarise the argument effectively?
- Does it provide a clear answer to the issue in the question?
Overall
- Taking all of the above into account, what mark should be awarded?
Index
