SAMPLE ASSESSMENT TASK
Assessment Task 5
Discursive Essay
Plan: 10 marks
Essay: 20 marks

Task: Write a plan and essay of approximately 450 – 500 (essay) words on the following:
Essay question: Research shows attractive people are more likely to be successful at a job interview. Do employers have the right to use attractiveness as a hiring criterion? Discuss. OR Should parents be allowed to choose the gender of their child? Currently in Australia, gender selection is illegal. Discuss.
Your essay must be submitted as outlined below:
• Your plan and essay must be typed using times new roman font 12pt.
• You must have at least 2 correctly formatted in-text references from different sources.
• A correctly formatted reference list giving the details of your in-text references must be included at the end of your essay.
• You must submit both a plan and essay in one word document.
• You must use your La Trobe student account to upload your assignment.
• Plagiarised essays will be given a zero mark.

Due date:

Use may use the following template to help you write a draft plan. You should also study the sample plans and essay on Moodle.
Introduction
General statement (Introduces the topic by giving the reader background information)
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Thesis statement: (Presents two arguments that agree, two that disagree)
It is argued employers do have the right to use attractiveness as a hiring criterion because__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________However, it is also argued they do not have the right to use attractiveness as a hiring criterion because _______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Body

Topic sentence 1 (should be written as a complete sentence – contains an argument which agrees)
It is argued employers do have the right to use attractiveness as a hiring criterion because____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
• ________________________________________________________
• ________________________________________________________

Topic sentence 2 (should be written as a complete sentence – contains a second argument which agrees)
In addition, ____________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
• ________________________________________________________
• ________________________________________________________

Topic sentence 1 (should be written as a complete sentence – contains an argument which disagrees)
However, others argue employers do not have the right to use attractiveness as a hiring criterion because ________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
• ________________________________________________________
• ________________________________________________________

Topic sentence 2 (should be written as a complete sentence – contains a second argument which disagrees)
Furthermore, ____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
• ________________________________________________________
• ________________________________________________________

Conclusion (States which arguments you support and end with a final thought)
Your position:
On balance, employers do/do not have the right to use attractiveness as hiring criterion because _______________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
Final thought:
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
ASSESSMENT CRITERIA FOR ESSAY ON AN ISSUE STUDIED IN CLASS

Plan 10 marks
The extent to which the response demonstrates:

Introduction (2 marks)
Introduction must include:
– An opening general statement.
– A clear contention or thesis statement.
– Both must be expressed as complete sentences

Body (1 mark for the topic sentence, 1/2 mark for supporting points. Total: 6 marks)
Body must have at least four paragraphs. The argumentative essay must include three arguments and one counter argument and the balanced argument essay must include two supporting arguments and two opposing arguments. Each paragraph must have:

– A clear and relevant topic sentence, which states the main idea of the paragraph.
– The topic sentence must be written as a complete sentence.
– Two or more relevant supporting points written in point form only.

Conclusion (2 marks)
The conclusion should either restate the contention/thesis statement, or in the case of the balanced argument, state clearly whether the advantages outweigh the disadvantages or vice versa. It should consist of at least two sentences.

Essay: 20 marks

Content (10 marks)
The extent to which the response demonstrates:
– An effective understanding of the question and of a relevant range of views involved in the issue
– Definitions of key terms if necessary, to support contention and demonstrate knowledge of chosen content
– Ability to develop and sustain a detailed response to the question
– An interpretive response to the issue including characteristics of sound arguments
– Logical sequencing of information and relevant selection of ideas
– Appropriate supporting points
– Appropriate evidence to support ideas/argument

Expression (5 marks)
The extent to which the response demonstrates:
– Technical and general vocabulary appropriate to selected information
– Sentence construction with correct word usage, order and syntax
– Variation of sentence length and pattern for specific effect
– Accurate spelling and correct use of tenses

Structure (5 marks)
The extent to which the response demonstrates:
– Coherent paragraph construction through organising sentences, linking sentences, use of connectives and punctuation
– Correct essay structure for the question
– Structure appropriate to the word length, form and purpose of the question

General comments
To achieve a high competency level, the essay must include:
– A background with an understanding of key aspects and perspectives of the issue
– The body must have detailed discussions with supporting details, examples, facts and explanations
– A concluding thought with a clear point of view on the issue