Making the Grade

Criterion A: Analysing 7-8 The student:   i. provides perceptive analysis of the content, context, language, structure, technique, style of text(s) and the relationship among texts ii. perceptively analyses the effects of the creator’s choices on an audience iii. gives detailed justification of opinions and ideas with a range of examples, and thorough explanations; uses accurate terminology iv. perceptively compares and contrasts by making extensive connections in features across and within genres and texts. Criterion B Organising i. makes sophisticated use of organizational structures that serve the context and intention effectively ii. effectively organizes opinions and ideas in a sustained, coherent and logical manner with ideas building on each other in a sophisticated way iii. makes excellent use of referencing and formatting tools to create an effective presentation style.

Criterion D: Using Language 7-8 The student:   i. effectively uses a range of appropriate vocabulary, sentence structures and forms of expression ii. writes and speaks in a consistently appropriate register and style that serve the context and intention iii. uses grammar, syntax and punctuation with a high degree of accuracy; errors are minor and communication is effective iv. spells/writes and pronounces with a high degree of accuracy; errors are minor and communication is effective

Can you explain why this section of a student’s essay fits the Level 7 criteria? A strong correlation can be seen between the description of John’s condemnation and that of his ‘saviour’ Jesus, the Christ. This can be seen in the way that here, as in the Bible John is a sacrificial lamb giving up his life in order to protect the souls and lives of others. Christ like qualities, can also be found in several other places, for example, it is said by John that he will; “not have my name nailed to the church.” Which may be symbolic of his own execution and the link that it has with Christ being nailed to the cross. He and Jesus also have a preoccupation with the truth, John being willing to die for it and Christ being the “hearer of truth”. Ironically, John is ultimately slaughtered for revealing the truth in the name of Christ, the “hearer of truth”. Meanwhile the supposedly godly men of town are undergoing a drastic but less holy transformation. They are changed drastically through their search for Satan. Indeed through their quest for the Devil, they have got closer to him. Here we see that Satan is not a separate being but a part of them. These men become the embodiment of the phantom they are supposedly hunting.

Can you explain why this section of a student’s essay falls short of the level 7 criteria? Arthur Miller makes the moment when Proctor tears up his confession particularly dramatic by using different techniques. He uses short, simple sentences this is when Proctor and Elizabeth are in an awkward position together, not knowing what to say to each other. Also, when John Proctor is about to be hung, everyone chooses to stick up for him and this is dramatic as it gives us different opinions to what we have already been told.  Homework 1) Re-write this paragraph so that it fits the criteria for Level 7. 2) Annotate your with words / phrases from the mark scheme to show why it fits the Level 7 criteria.