100 Introduction to Philosophy 

CRITERIA FOR THE AWARD OF MARKS ON AN ESSAY OR EXAM ANSWER

FIRST = 70%+, Part One Code: M1

The work meets the criteria for a 2.1 and in addition shows at least some of:

· exceptional lucidity of argument
· exceptional strength of structure
· exceptional mastery of problem being addressed
· a thorough and critical familiarity with challenging literature
· an original approach
· a creative line of argument

Marks within this class may vary reflecting:

· a capacity to develop arguments beyond those in the relevant literature
· depth and sophistication of the argument
· critical acumen

There is:

· clarity of thought and expression
· ability to marshal arguments into a sustained and well-organised statement
· a good grasp of the philosophical problem being addressed
· critical awareness
· a tight sense of relevance

and normally

· knowledge and understanding of relevant literature.

Particular strength under one of these heads is seen as compensating for weakness under another.

· the majority of the text is clear enough to be understood
· the answer has a structure
· a basic grasp of the question is demonstrated

There is:

· critical awareness
· some coherent argumentation
· evidence of serious study
· a sense of relevance is exercised

and normally:

· some knowledge is shown of relevant literature

Distinguished from a 2.1 therefore by

· lower level of coherence
· lower level of critical awareness

and normally

· lower level of knowledge and understanding of relevant literature

The majority of the text is clear enough to be understood. There is:

· a degree of structure
· some grasp of the question
· some attempt at argument
· some evidence of serious study
· some sense of relevance

and normally:

· some knowledge of relevant literature.

Particular strength under one of these heads is seen as compensating for weakness under another.

Thus distinguished from 2.2 by some of

· limited knowledge of relevant material
· limited powers of organisation of material
· absence of critical discussion
· lack of clarity
· lack of relevance

The work shows:

· some clear text
· some evidence of study
· some evidence of an attempt to provide a relevant answer
· some attempt at argument

So distinguished from 3rd by

· relative weakness in the features listed
· lack of structure

Work that fails to meet the criteria for a Pass.

The work will thus be characterised by all of:

· inadequate or no knowledge of relevant material
· no critical discussion
· little or no structure argument
· endemic lack of clarity

or

· complete irrelevance

Every effort will be made to construe the work as relevant to the question set.

These criteria only come into play when the work is accepted as the student's own.

'critical', as in 'critical argument': argument that shows awareness that claims are open to test and evaluation.

'critical awareness': awareness that claims are open to test and evaluation.

'material': arguments and discussion on the topic derived from books or independent thought.