High Distinction

(80-100%)

Distinction

(70-79%)

Credit

(60-69%)

Pass

(50-59%)

N

(25-49%) 

N

(0-24%)

Understanding oftopic and accurate legal knowledge

(30%)

• Demonstrates mastery of core concepts/principles of topic and insightful critical analysis
• Systematically and accurately identifies and analyses relevant law.

• Demonstrates a clear critical analysis of core concepts/principles of topic.
• Accurately identifies and analyses relevant law.

• Exhibits engagement with core concepts/principles of topic.
• Mostly identifies and analyses relevant law.

• Shows a developing engagement with core concepts/principles of topic.
• Identifies and analyses somerelevant law.

• Shows superficial engagement with core concepts/principles of topic.
• Inaccurately identifies or superficial analyses some relevant law.

• Shows no or very little engagement with core concepts/principles of topic.
• Does not identify or analyse relevant law.

• A clearly articulated, logically sound argument that is the central focus of the essay.
• A tightly focused argument that is directly relevant to the essay question.
• Consistently, appropriatelyand succinctly uses evidence to defend argument.

• Argument is clear, logical and can be readily identified.
• Argument is directly relevant to the essay question.
• Consistently and appropriately uses evidence to defend argument. 

• Argument is generally clear and internally consistent
• Argument is generally focused on the essay question.
• Mostly consistent and generally appropriate evidence used to defend argument. 

• Argument is hard to identify and may at times be inconsistent.
• Argument is partially focused on the essay question but frequently wanders off-topic.
• Occasional use of evidence to defend argument, some of which is inappropriate

• The essay’s argument can only be recognised with great effort.
• The essay’s argument is only tangentially relevant to the essay question
• Limited use of evidence to defend argument, evidence is frequently inappropriate. 

• Argument cannot be identified
• Argument is not relevant to the essay question
• No or very little evidence used to justify argument.

• Demonstrates a high degree of independent research and deep engagement with the literature and law.
•  Consistent use of highly credible sources.

• Clear evidence of substantial independent research showing a high degree of engagement with the literature and law.
• Relies primarily upon credible sources.

• Clear evidence of independent research of the topic and related law.
• Relies upon credible sources with some unnecessary reliance on less credible sources.
•  

• Some research demonstrated, but limited in scope in relation to literature or law.
• Sources are reasonable  credible but there is significant reliance on less credible sources.

• Limited research conducted into both literature and law.
• Poor selection of generally incredible sources. 

• No or extremely limited research conducted.
• No sources provided or relied upon.

• Error-free use of AGLC4 footnotes and reference including an AGLC compliant reference list of all sources and error-free use of AGLC compliant headings and writing conventions.

• Mostly error-free use of AGLC4 footnotes and reference including a mostly AGLC-compliant reference list of all sources and mostly error-free use of AGLC headings or writing conventions.

• Infrequent errors-in use of AGLC4in footnotes and reference list, and some use of AGLC compliant headings or writing conventions.

• Frequent errors in use of AGLC4 in footnotes and reference list. Little or no use of AGLC compliant headings or writing conventions.

• Minimal use of AGLC4 in footnotes and reference list. No use of AGLC compliant headings or writing conventions.

• No use, or extremely limited use, of AGLC4 in footnotes and reference list. No use of AGLC compliant headings or writing conventions.

• Writes with clarity, fluency and specificity, with no, or very minor, spelling or grammar mistakes

• Essay is tightly organized with a well-rounded introduction, coherent paragraphing in a logically progressive essay body and a comprehensive conclusion.

   

• A well-written, readily understandable essay. Few, if any, spelling or grammar mistakes.

• Essay has a clear introduction, well organized and logically progressive essay body and clear conclusion.

   

• A good degree of clarity in written expression, some deficiencies in style and some notable errors in spelling and grammar.
• Essay has a recognizable introduction, logically progressive essay body and conclusion.

• Essay is at times hard to understand or uses inappropriate style, or contains many spelling and grammar mistakes.
• Essay has some logical organisation, but is lacking a introduction, conclusion or a logically progressive essay body.

• Unclear written expression, a style inappropriate to an academic essay and numerous spelling and grammar mistakes.
• Limited identifiable organisation or structure to the essay.

• Unclear and confusing written expression, a style inappropriate to an academic essay, and widespread spelling and grammar mistakes.
• No identifiable organisation or structure to the essay.