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ENVI3911 ENVIRONMENTAL LAW AND ETHICS
SEMESTER 1, 2022

SHORT ESSAY MARKING GUIDELINE/RUBRIC

The purpose of this assessment task is to develop advanced skills in: written expression;
presenting an articulate written argument; supporting that argument with evidence
(examples, data, references); researching the academic literature on a particular topic; and
relating ethical concepts with regulatory challenges.
Your essay must be a formal piece of analytical, academic writing. It should have a clear
structure, including an introduction and conclusion, and present an argument that responds
to the essay question.
You will be assessed on your argument, your engagement with the key concepts, the use of
evidence to support your argument, your written expression, and your referencing.
The assessment tasks are designed to ensure that you have covered and understood the
materials and concepts necessary to meet the UoS learning outcomes. Essays and exams are
designed to demonstrate your understanding of the course and meet the learning outcomes
as they relate to principles, sources, and critique of environmental law and ethics through
the communication medium of writing.
The assessment criterion for written work is outlined below. Please note that this
information provides guidance of the criteria used for each grade. In respect of particular
pieces of assessment, appropriate variations may be made, but the overall quality required
to receive each grade, as reflected in these guidelines, will essentially be the same.
Assessment Criteria for Written Work (essays and exams)
Fail (Below 50%)
Work may fail for any or all of the following criteria:
• No answer or response is provided
• It does not address or otherwise answer the question
• It contains numerous minor errors or presents a significant misconception
• It presents irrelevant material
• No evidence of research or analysis demonstrated
• It presents a significantly inaccurate or flawed argument
• The answer is incomprehensible or difficult to understand due to significant
problems with grammar, expression or structure.
Pass (Between 50% and 64%)
2

Work awarded a passing grade will usually achieve the following minimum standards or
present the described characteristics:
• An appropriate but superficial answer or response is provided
• It presents relevant material in a superficial manner or in a simplistic descriptive
style
• It correctly identifies key point or points (facts) but does not develop an appropriate
explanation or argument if this is required
• It contains some minor errors or presents minor inaccuracies and misconceptions
• Little or no evidence of in‐depth analysis or deep understanding of the concept is
presented
• Answers can be understood but may be poorly worded or somewhat flawed due to
poor grammar, expression or structure.
Credit (Between 65% and 74%)
Work awarded a credit grade will usually achieve the following minimum standards or
present the described characteristics:
• An appropriate, accurate and reasonable detailed answer or response is provided
• Appropriate key point or points (facts) and/or concepts clearly presented without
significant errors or misconceptions
• It presents relevant material concisely with facts clearly integrated into the
explanation
• Accurate quotation and/or source identification when appropriate
• It displays evidence of independent research or critical analysis of concept or
problem
• The answer is easily understood with both clear expression and structure if
appropriate.
Distinction (Between 75% and 84%)
Work awarded a distinction grade will usually achieve the following minimum standards or
present the described characteristics:
• It accurately answers the question in a convincing, confident manner
• It presents relevant material accurately in a concise manner or with the facts well‐
integrated into a comprehensive explanation or argument
• Accurate quotation and/or source identification is provided when appropriate
• Evidence of extensive independent research is demonstrated
• Evidence of extensive critical analysis of concept, and/or innovative perspective on
the topic, and/or deep understanding of problem is demonstrated
• Answers are well written, with clear structure and cogent expression

3

High Distinction (Above 85%)
Work awarded a high distinction grade will usually achieve the following minimum
standards or present the described characteristics:
• It accurately answers the question in an impressive, compelling, or highly persuasive
manner
• It presents relevant material accurately in a thoroughly convincing or forceful
manner or with the facts well‐integrated into an extended and comprehensive
explanation or argument
• Accurate quotation and/or source identification is provided when appropriate
• Evidence of exhaustive independent research is demonstrated
• Evidence of extensive critical analysis of concept, and/or innovative perspective on
the topic, and/or deep understanding of problem is demonstrated
• Answers demonstrate striking originality, an innovative approach, or impressive
analytical skill
• Answers are exceptionally well written, with excellent structure expression
• It is otherwise exceptional in some way