SCIE1000 – Semester 2 2022, the University of Queensland
CRITERIA AND MARKING SHEET FOR SHORT-ESSAY ASSIGNMENT

CRITERIA
(% weight)
7 6 5 4 3 2 1
Structure and Clarity
Outlining the
case to make
(10%)
Topic outline suggests
lines of inquiry that
indicate all relevant and
significant issues will be
addressed in depth
Marks = 10
Topic outline provides
opportunities for
addressing most key
issues in depth
Marks = 7.5
Topic outline provides
opportunities for
addressing some key
issues in some depth
Marks = 5
Topic outline sufficient
to allow an argument to
progress
Marks = 2.5
Topic outline unclear and
makes progressing an
argument difficult
Marks = 1
Topic outline
unintelligible.
Marks = 0
Topic outline absent

Marks = 0
Essay structure
and clarity (35%)
Argument structure
clear, effective and well
targeted to the topic;
content representation
clear, concise, accurate and
well placed in the
argument; conclusions
clear and justified.
Marks = 35
Argument structure clear
and well targeted to the
topic; content
representation clear and
accurate; conclusions
clear and justified.
Marks = 30
Argument structure clear
and relevant to the topic;
content representation
generally clear and
accurate; conclusions
clear with some
justification.
Marks = 25
Argument structure can
be discerned but may not
be clearly represented;
content representation
made with some clarity
and accurate detail;
conclusions evident with
some degree of
justification.
Marks = 21
Argument structure
difficult to discern or poorly
represented; content
representations lack detail,
clarity and/or accuracy;
conclusions evident with
no or weak justification.
Marks = 17
Argument structure cannot
be discerned or wrongly
represented; content
representation absent or
wrong; conclusions absent
or made with no or weak
justification.
Marks = 12
No discernible
structure
Marks = 0
Understanding of concepts
Understanding of
concepts
(35%)
Comprehensive, accurate
and coherent
explanations of PH-D*
and inductivist/Kuhnian
accounts drawing on all
relevant and significant
material; articulate
expression of well
justified personal views
demonstrating a
thorough, deep and
sophisticated
understanding of the
material.
Marks = 35
Coherent and accurate
explanations of key
aspects of PH-D* and
inductivist/Kuhnian
accounts drawing on
most relevant and
significant material;
articulate expression of
justified personal views
demonstrating a
thorough and deep
understanding of the
material
Marks = 30
Accurate explanations of
key aspects of PH-D*
and inductivist/Kuhnian
accounts drawing on
most relevant and
significant material;
expression of justified
personal views
demonstrating a broad
understanding of the
material.
Marks = 25
Mostly accurate
explanations of some key
aspects of PH-D* and
inductivist/Kuhnian
accounts drawing on
relevant and significant
material; expression of
justified personal views
demonstrating some
(possibly shallow)
understanding of the
material.
Marks = 21
Some, possibly poor,
explanations of PH-D*
and inductivist/Kuhnian
accounts drawing on
material that is not
relevant or significant or
is poorly used; expression
of personal views
demonstrating a limited
understanding of the
material.
Marks = 17
Few or poor explanations
of PH-D* and
inductivist/Kuhnian
accounts; no or very
limited expression of
personal views
demonstrating little or no
understanding of the
material
Marks = 12
No demonstration of
knowledge or
understanding
Marks = 0
Presentation
Spelling,
grammar,
bibliography and
referencing
(10%)
Error free.
Marks = 10
High standard; may
include a few errors.
Marks = 7.5
Occasional errors.
Marks = 5
Adequate, but includes
frequent errors.
Marks = 2.5
Numerous errors.
Marks = 1
Seriously sub-standard
work; multiple errors.
Marks = 0
Seriously sub-standard
work; multiple errors
Marks = 0
Length
(10%)
1000±10%
Marks = 10
>10% over or under
Marks = 5
>>10% over or under
Mark = 0