ECON7200 Essay Marking Rubric – Semester 1, 2024
(Marks for each part are given in parentheses, 30 marks in total)
Criteria 4 3 2 1 0
Task 1 - Summary (3) Clear and precise
summary, with all
main points of the
article mentioned
and explained
Good summary,
though one main
point is missing, or
poorly explained
The summary is
incoherent and/or
irrelevant. Some
main points are
missing, or poorly
explained
No summary given
Task 2 (7)
- Definition (1) A clear definition of
a related concept is
given
No definition given
- Explaining Fama’s
statement (3)
Clear explanation,
with good use of
research to reflect
the arguments.
Good explanation
overall, though
some arguments can
be weak, or not
supported by
evidence.
Flawed explanation,
with severe lack of
evidence.
No attempt shown
Real-life example (3) A clear real-life
example of the
stock market is
given, with
data/graph support.
A conclusion is
reached, clearly
tying back to the
explanation before
Good example
overall, though
lacking some
support, and/or lack
of/unclear
conclusion, tying to
the explanation
before
Weak example,
lacking data/graph
support. There is
very little/no
relation to the
explanation before
No attempt shown
Criteria 4 3 2 1 0
Task 3 (10)
- Explanation (1) Good explanation
about relevant
concept
Unclear
explanation, or no
attempt shown
- Assessing Fama’s
statement (4)
Very clear and
insightful discussion.
The arguments are
valid, and both sides
of the argument are
given, and discussed
in detail
Good discussion,
though some
arguments are
flawed. Both sides
of the argument are
given and discussed
Flawed discussion
overall, with some
irrelevant
arguments. Both
sides of the
argument are
mentioned
Very flawed
discussion, and not
all sides of the
argument are
discussed
No attempt shown
- Student’s conclusion (1) The conclusion is
clear, and is
relevant to the
discussion above
No, unclear, or
irrelevant
conclusion given
- Evidence/application of
research (4)
Excellent evidence of
research, with
arguments supported
by highly suitable
and relevant sources
Good evidence of
research, with most
arguments
supported by
suitable and
relevant sources
Flawed evidence of
research, with some
arguments not
supported by
suitable and
relevant sources
Some key
arguments are not
supported by
relevant sources,
reflecting a lack of
depth in reading
and/or choice of
suitable sources
No, or very
inconsequential
evidence of further
research

Criteria 4 3 2 1 0
Writing quality (5)
- Essay format (1) Clear, and relevant
introduction and
conclusion
No, or irrelevant
introduction or
conclusion given
- Writing style (1) Academic writing
style is used, with a
good flow between
paragraphs,
sections, or
discussion points
Academic writing
style is not used, or
there is no essay
flow between
paragraphs,
sections, or
discussion points
- Grammar/Structural
clarity (3)
Both grammar and
spelling are faultless
throughout the
essay
There are
occasional
grammatical and/or
spelling errors but
these do not affect
readability of the
essay
Spelling and/or
grammar is
consistently
incorrect, hindering
the report's ‘flow’
and readability.
The grammar and
spelling are too poor
to make sense of
most of the essay
Presentation (1) The essay has a
cover page,
detailing name,
student ID, and
word count
Not all details are
given, or the word
limit is not followed

Criteria 4 3 2 1 0
Reference (4)
- Reference style (2) Reference style,
including reference
list and in-text
citations, is
consistent, and the
reference list is
alphabetically
ordered
Reference style,
including reference
list and in-text
citations, is mostly
consistent with
some errors, or the
reference list is
alphabetically
ordered
Inconsistent, or
incorrect reference
style

Important note:
even if students
use the reference
tools from
database such as
UQ Library or
Google Scholar,
please double
check them as they
might be incorrect
- Reference quality (2) Quality academic
and/or news sources
are chosen, which
greatly support the
arguments
Flawed/missing
reference list and/or
irrelevant/missing
in-text citations
Inconsequential, or
no reference given