Literature Essay Marking Scheme

Many of you candidates do not understand how the marking system goes, so here it is

Q: What am I sitting for in this exam?
A: Throughout the year you have three papers:
     First term, 920/1 = Poetry and Short Stories
     Second term, 920/2 = Plays
     Third term, 920/3 = Novels

Q: How will my marks be counted?
A: Each paper have three sections, three essays to write and each essay is 25 marks. The whole paper weighs 75 marks, in percentage is 33.33%. At the end of your term, the marks for all three papers you took will be added (33.33% + 33.33% + 33.33% = 100%) and you will get your finalized grade.

Q: How do I score 25 marks for all three sections?
A: Content will be 10 marks, elaboration is 10 marks and language is 5 marks. To be on a safe side, write SIX paragraphs for each section.

Introduction

{ State the question: Etc, question is on social and cultural barriers

-write author's background relation to it

- state the poem/short story/play/novel you chose to write on

-how the question affects the characters in those period }

Note: your first content point will be given on how you start 

your essay and how well you relate to the question

Content #1

{ Question posed: With close reference to any two poems, 

discuss how love is expressed through images of nature.
- write on the FIRST poem in this paragraph }

Note: your second content point and elaboration

Content #2

-write on the SECOND poem

Note: your third content point and elaboration

Content #3

-write on the FIRST poem

Note: your fourth content point and elaboration

Content #4

-write on the SECOND poem

Note: your fifth content point and elaboration

Conclusion

{ Conclude your essay and emphasize on how

 it affects/relate to our current society }

Notice: Content 1 - 2 marks           Elaboration 1-  2 marks            Language: Spelling
                         2-  2 marks                                2-  2 marks                       and Grammar

                         3-  2 marks                                3-  2 marks

                         4-  2 marks                                4-  2 marks

                         5-  2 marks                                5-  2 marks                                          

                             10 marks                                   10  marks                             5 marks 

Q: Is the marking system different for each section?
A: No, it is just the same. Each section shares equivalent marks so there are no difference.

Q: What will they look for in my critical appreciation skills?
A:  {Disclamer: content shown can be found from MPM website }

1. Language and form : Literary devices, narrative techniques, setting, characterisation, structure, themes/issues/concerns, readers response, language and style

2. History and culture : Context, themes/issues and cultural perspective

3. Gender : Gender, context ( historical/socio-cultural), themes/issues, perspective (reading as a woman or man) and cultural perspective

Q: How would I know what to pay attention to for poetry/short stories/plays/novels?

A: {Disclamer: content shown can be found from MPM website }

Poetry                                                                   Short Stories

-background                                                        - background

-verse forms                                                        - plot [development of plot]

-devices [figure of speech/diction]                        - characterisation

-metrics [rhythm]                                                 - setting [place/time/atmosphere]

-theme and interpretation                                     - narrative techniques

-atmosphere [mood/feeling]                                 - literary devices

-relevance [relevance to the present]                    - language and style

-moral concerns                                                   - themes

                                                                            - relevance [relevance to the present] 

                                                                            - moral concerns   

Plays                                                                    Novels

- background [writer/period/stage]                        - background [writer/period]

- types of play [comedy/tragedy/etc]                      - plot [development of plot]

- reading the text [language and style/devices]        - characterisation

- aspects of play [plot/structure/characters]            - setting [place/time/atmosphere]

-relevance [relevance to the present]                      - narrative techniques

-moral concerns                                                    - literary devices

                                                                             - language and style

                                                                             - themes

                                                                             - relevance [relevance to the present] 

                                                                             - moral concerns        

Q: How will my essays be graded?

A: {Disclamer: content shown can be found from MPM website }

 Grade A 

 Candidate shows a detailed knowledge and excellent understanding of text. 

 Candidate addresses all aspects of the question with sustained relevance to issues. 

 Candidate exhibits ability to identify, analyse, and evaluate tone, attitude, character, form, 

structure, and language. 

 Candidate demonstrates a critical, sensitive, and original response to text. 

 Candidate shows an informed response to text. 

 Candidate writes fluently and expresses complex ideas clearly. 

 Candidate displays logical and coherent development of argument. 

 Candidate supports argument with appropriate textual evidence. 

  

Grade C  (I don't think I need to bold the requirements to get a grade C, AIM FOR AN A)

Candidate shows sufficient understanding and knowledge of text. 

Candidate addresses some aspects of the question. 

Candidate exhibits some ability to identify and discuss tone, attitude, character, form, structure, 

and language. 

Candidate demonstrates a basic personal response to text. 

Candidate‘s answer contains a fair number of language errors. 

Candidate shows some organisation and development of ideas. 

Candidate supports argument with sufficient textual evidence. 

Candidate uses some narration. 

I wish all candidates best of luck for all your papers!

For more information visit MPM website on 920 paper:
 http://www.mpm.edu.my/documents/10156/28d2cd05-be4c-48a2-b967-bd0a14f4d24e