Name of Centre:
Learner achievement (please circle) NB: All learner achievement
is provisional until confirmed at the AVA Awards Board
Level Achieved:L2
Final Grade Achieved (Level 3 units only)P
Resubmission?Y
Title of Access to HE Diploma:(e.g. Science)
Unit title(s): Essay WritingUnit code(s):
Learner: Tutor/Assessor:
Description of Assignment:
In order to achieve this unit you need to carefully read the
assessment criteria for this unit on the following page and
submit:
One 1200 word essay that meets the Essay Writing unit assessment
criteria on a topic connected with an ethical issue in science. For
example GM crops, euthanasia, stem cell research, abortion, animal
experimentation, etc. You should write your own question but it
must be approved by the teacher. Remember that any question you
write must be such as to invite a discursive essay.
a 500-word commentary on how your essay:introduces the
topic/question/task/ requirement
explores main points with supporting evidence & balanced,
objective arguments
use linked paragraphs
use formal English
conclude with a summary of arguments
use either the Harvard or Numeric system of referencing.
Date set: Date for draft submission (if applicable): Date for
final submission:
Extension date (if agreed): Signed by Tutor/Assessor to agree
extension:
Date submitted:
Learner declaration:
The explanations and evaluations in this work have been
developed and written by me.
I have not submitted material copied from the Internet, text
books or other sources in place of my own thinking and writing.
When I have referred to the work of others I have done so to
discuss, comment on or argue their ideas.
I have kept quotation and paraphrasing to an absolute minimum
and only to support points I have made.
I understand that referencing the names of authors whose ideas I
have used without including my own interpretation of those ideas,
does not meet the assessment criteria and cannot attract the Pass,
Merit or Distinction grades.
I have not copied the work of my peers
Continued over
Learner comments: (please use this space to comment on any
aspect of the assignment when handing in your work)
Signature:Date:
TO THE LEARNER: Please attach this assignment brief to any
written work you are handing in for assessment, or submit the brief
as instructed. YOUR WORK CANNOT BE ASSESSED UNLESS YOU HAVE SIGNED
AND SUBMITTED THIS FORM
Level 2/3(please circle)Unit title: Essay Writing
This assignment addresses the following Assessment Criteria from
the unit (or a copy of the unit may be attached, if all AC are
covered):
AC noLevel 3
1.1Analyse the requirements of the question or task.
1.2Cover the main points, omitting irrelevant detail.
1.3 Include material from own research.
2.1Include an introduction which comments on the subject &
describes the treatment of it to follow in the essay.
2.2Balance ideas & arguments with evidence &
examples.
2.3Use linking sentences in paragraphs to set the new ideas in
the context of the arguments & the essay as a whole.
2.4Provide a conclusion which sums up the arguments &
considers the implications
3.1Write in a detailed, balanced & objective manner.
3.2Write formal English avoiding emotive language &
colloquialisms.
4.1Acknowledge the work of other authors both during the essay
& in a list of references.
4.2Use the conventions of listing sources alphabetically by
surname & including the author, title, publisher, date &
place of publication.
Level 3 units only:Learners achieve a Pass if they meet all
Level 3 Assessment Criteria for a unit. You will achieve a Merit or
Distinction by meeting the following Grade Descriptors. Your tutor
will give you feedback for all three grades.
Grade Descriptor 4Merit(Choose one or more relevant grade
components)
Use of InformationLearner generally synthesises information with
outcomes that are accurate & appropriate.
Grade Descriptor 5Merit(Choose one or more relevant grade
components)
Communication & PresentationLearner shows very good command
of language (including technical or specialist language), syntax,
register, spelling & punctuation.
Grade Descriptor 7Merit(Choose one or more relevant grade
components)
QualityLearners work is structured in a way that is generally
logical & fluent.
Grade Guidance: Learners must carefully read the guidance below
which is linked to the components above
MERIT: (e.g. To achieve a Merit your work will show..)For a
Merit your answer will show that you have explored a range of
possible responses to the essay title. Your essay must contain
complex and logical argumentation. This means that you draw on
various sources of information to support your argument that is
organised in a sequence of connected points. Your answer will show
the ability to summarise and evaluate the qualities of the sources
you use. Throughout this essay your responses will show the ability
to recognise and consider implicit information in the sources. This
means you comment on hints, suggestions, connotations, irony and
cultural inference. Your conclusion will clearly relate to your
introduction and the sequence of your argumentation. Your
commentary will explain clearly how your two essays meet the above
requirements.
DISTINCTION: (e.g. To achieve a Distinction your work will
show..)For a Distinction your answer will show that you have
explored and reflected in detail on an extensive range of sources.
Your essay will show the ability to draw on conflicting evidence.
You will weigh-up the strengths and weaknesses of this evidence in
a sequence of connected arguments. Your answer will include as an
integral part of your answer evaluative summaries of the sources
you refer to. Your answer will show the ability to comprehend the
implications of the emphasis and bias in the sources you use and
recognise how these influence the quality of your argument. Your
answer will be cogent. This means that the elaboration of your
argument is consistently supported from start to finish with
carefully considered evidence. Your conclusion will be based on a
balanced estimation of that evidence. Your commentary will explain
cogently how your two essays meet the above requirements.
Part A: Feedback on credit level
AC noCredit achieved (L2/L3)Location of evidenceTutor/Assessor
comments on assessment criteria(you could also indicate on the work
itself where each AC is met)
Level achievedTutor/Assessors signature:Date:
Resubmission (if applicable) If any of the assessment criteria
for this assignment have not been met at Level 3, a resubmission
may be permitted. Resubmission must follow the QAA guidelines and
be permitted only once.
Requirements for resubmission/new Task set:
Date Set:Date due:Date Submitted:
Feedback on resubmission:
Level achieved after resubmission:Tutor/Assessors
signature:Date:
Part B: Feedback on grading (Applicable only if all assessment
criteria achieved at Level 3)
Grade DescriptorTutor/Assessor comments against grade
descriptorsGrade indicator(P/M/D)Please enter the final grade on
page 1 based on this grade profile e.g. PPM=P
GD7: Quality
Tutor/Assessors reason for final grade decision (if
applicable):
Assignment Brief and Feedback form(Unit with single
assignment)