Essay Checklist

Using the Cambridge criteria for evaluating essays, consider the following questions about the essay you are evaluating:

CONTENT

Is the writing relevant to the original question?

Does the essay give information about the 2 points in the question?

Does the essay give information about a 3rd point (created by the writer)?


COMMUNICATIVE ACHIEVEMENT

Is the essay interesting and persuasive?

Is the writer's opinion clear?

Does the essay have a formal register (no contractions, no "you", no informal language)?


ORGANISATION

Is the text well organised?

Does the essay use paragraphs?  Does each paragraph contain a specific idea?

Does each paragraph begin with a sentence that introduces the main idea of the paragraph?

Does the essay use a variety of linkers and discourse markers (for example: therefore, as a result, in order to, in contrast, on the other hand, in addition to this, firstly, secondly, finally) effectively?


LANGUAGE

Is there a wide range of vocabulary?  Are there errors with simple vocabulary or more complicated vocabulary?  Does the essay repeat the same vocabulary again and again?

Is there a wide range of grammatical forms (for example: past simple, past perfect, conditionals, passive structures)?  Are there errors when using simple forms or more complex forms?






 


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