Understanding how your assignments are marked will help you to write an assignment that meets or exceeds the marker's expectations.
Marking guides
The marking guide describes in detail what's required for an assignment. It is usually attached to the assignment question.
Marking guides can vary by discipline, department and course coordinator. While the assignment marker's individual preferences may play a part in your grade, generally we divide the marking criteria into 2 broad categories – content and form.
Content
Content includes the depth and coverage of your explanations and descriptions, the type of evidence you use to support your points and how well you evaluate the issues.
Common criteria for marking content are:
- Coverage
Have you carried out all the requirements of the assignment thoroughly? - Relevance
Is what you have written relevant to the requirements of the assignment? - Overall structure
Is the overall structure of your assignment clear? - Understanding
Do you show understanding of the content of the topic selected and relevant concepts for evaluating it? - Use of terms
Do you use technical terms accurately and appropriately? - Clarity of explanation
Are your explanations clear, logical and understandable? - Reading
Do you show evidence of having read widely in the relevant area? - Critical viewpoint
Can you see flaws in the theories or frameworks used in the discussed topic?
Example marking guide: Content
| Unsatisfactory | Satisfactory | Good | Very good | Outstanding | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Coverage | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
| Relevance | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
| Overall structure | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
| Understanding | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
| Use of terms | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
| Clarity of explanation | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
| Reading | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
| Critical viewpoint | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
Form
Form relates to the technical aspects of writing:
- Grammatical rules and correct spelling.
- How clearly you document your evidence in the body of the assignment and the reference list.
- How well you follow the formatting and layout instructions.
Common criteria for form include:
- Written expression
Grammar, spelling and punctuation. - Documentation
What references have you used to support your ideas?
Are they correctly listed at the end and correctly cited in the text of your assignment? - Word limits
Do you keep to the word limit? - Presentation
Is your assignment clearly presented and readable?
Example marking guide: Form
| Unsatisfactory | Satisfactory | Good | Very good | Outstanding | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Written expression | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
| Documentation | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
| Word limits | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
| Presentation | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
Tips for getting a high grade
There are 4 common marking criteria in marking guides for an acceptable and competently executed assignment. These are usually assigned a ‘weight’ or percentage of your total mark, for example:
- Scope of assignment: 50%
- Evidence of reading: 10%
- Structure and organisation: 30%
- Presentation: 10%
B- to B+ assignments
Scope of the assignment
Provide an acceptable interpretation of the topic and develop an unbiased response to the assignment task.
'Acceptable' is likely to involve a subjective judgement of the individual course requirements and the assignment marker's preferences.
If your response to the assignment differs from mainstream views, you can still get a high grade. Ensure you have referred to examples, explanations and research evidence from the literature.
Cover several different aspects relevant to the topic. Show that you have considered and acknowledged different or opposing points of view from different authors. This demonstrates to the assignment marker that you have thought widely about the topic and your position is unbiased.
Evidence of reading
Read and refer to assigned readings, textbook chapters, course materials and other relevant literature.
Construct an accurate list of references at the end of your assignment that meets the standards of the referencing style required, such as APA, MLA or Harvard referencing. Your lecturer or assignment guide will tell you which referencing style to use.
Cite all of your sources correctly throughout the assignment.
Structure and organisation
Structure your points in a logical sequence.
Ideally, each paragraph should discuss a single key point. Include an introduction – this may be a paragraph or a few sentences. At the end of your assignment, summarise your ideas and briefly restate your argument in a few sentences or a whole paragraph.
To ensure clarity in expression, explain definitions and terms where relevant. While the reader may be knowledgeable in the topic you are writing about, the assignment marker wants to see that you have understood the issues and ideas. Imagine you are writing for your peers, rather than an expert marker. Elaborate on your ideas and highlight your comprehension of the topic.
Presentation
Presentation is usually allocated the least number of marks in any assignment. Gain the most marks possible for presentation by following the instructions in the assignment guide.
A- to A+ assignments
Getting a grade within the A range can be challenging and involves a lot of hard work. An assignment is graded A- to A+ when you don't just meet the standard but exceed it.
To get an A, you need to meet all the requirements for a B grade and also:
1
Integrate additional references as well as those assigned in the course. Include these sources in your assignment to demonstrate new points or extend and reinforce other points.
2
Critically reflect on and evaluate the topic and the points used to support your argument.
3
Analyse the issue or integrate your ideas in an original way, such as adopting a broader framework in which to position your points.
4
Provide 2 or 3 pieces of evidence from the literature to back up your points.
5
Integrate many points that are relevant to the topic, including sub-themes or alternative angles that may not necessarily be mainstream.
Achieving an A- to A+ grade demonstrates that you have done well to achieve a competent standard and have the potential and promise for even greater work in the future.
Common mistakes that lower your grade
Find a list of common mistakes that lower your grade on our assignment feedback page.
Common formatting requirements
Learn how to format, edit and meet the word limit of your assignment.
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