OPINION ESSAY MARKING CRITERIA

EBAU 2020
- Candidates must demonstrate mastery of A1, A2, and - Answers longer than 175 words will be corrected and marked normally up to the first end-
B1 level. of-sentence after the 175 words.
- Two or more instances of the same error will be - The exceeding part of the answer will not be considered by the rater for UoE and Mechs
penalized only once. (i.e., no penalization regarding these two criteria).

- It opens the paragraph/essay effectively (i.e. it clearly introduces the topic), grabs attention, and invites to continue reading.
TOPIC SENTENCE - The writer’s opinion is clearly established here. (0.45/0.36/0.24)
(TS)
- The TS/IP doesn’t effectively introduce the topic. (I.e., it is not clear what the rest of the paragraph/essay is going to be
INTRODUCTORY about).
PARAGRAPH (IP) - It is dull and uninviting, and/or doesn’t include the opinion of the writer (0.25/0.2/0.13)

- There is no TS/IP establishing the topic. Instead the writer jumps directly into opinion. (0)
CONTENT SELECTION & ORGANIZATION (1.5 MARKS)

- There are two to four fully developed SS/SP, with relevant facts, details &/or examples.
- The relationship of each SS/SP to the TS/IP and to other SSs/SPs is clearly established via the corresponding connecting
1.5 (150-175) / 1.2(150-120) / 0.8(<120)

words. (0.6/0.48/0.32)
- The SSs/SPs are unequally developed. Some are neatly packed with relevant facts, details and/or examples while others
SUPORTING resemble neutral statements instead of arguments in support of the opinion initially established.
SENTENCE (SS) - The candidate has aimed at establishing a relationship between the SSs/SPs and the TS/IP and among the SSs/SPs themselves,
successfully in some cases and unsuccessfully in others (i.e., correct or incorrect use of connecting words). (0.45/0.36/0.24)
SUPORTING
PARAGRAPH (SP) - There are more than four SSs or more than two SPs, but they are not sufficiently or clearly developed with relevant facts,
details &/or examples.
- There is no attempt (i.e., no use of connecting words) to establish the relationship between the SS/SP to the TS/IP and to
other SSs/SPs is clearly via the corresponding connecting words. (0.3/0.24/0.16)
-Text is connected using basic, high-frequency linking words. (0.15/0.12/0.08)
- Restates the writer’s opinion introduced in the TS/IP in new, more insightful manner and new words and, if possible (i.e., if
word count allows), summarized the main arguments, and - Includes a call to action.
- It neatly ends the paragraph/essay and reinforces the writer’s opinion. (0.45/0.36/0.24)
CLOSING
SENTENCE (CS) - Does not restate the writer’s opinion or repeats it in basically the same words as those used in the TS/IP.
- Does not sum up the main arguments or does not include a call to action.
CLOSING - Overall, it fails to reinforce the writer’s opinion and close the paragraph. (0.25/0.2/0.13)
PARAGRAPH (CP)
- There is no CS/CP. The paragraph/essay ends while still providing arguments in support of the writer’s opinion. Thus, there is
no sense of closure to the paragraph/essay whatsoever. (0)
GRAMMAR
1 (150-175)
0.75 (150-120)
- 0 errors (1/0.75/0.5) - 1 to 3 (0.8/0.6/0.4) - 4 to 6 (0.6/0.45/0.3) - 7 to 9 (0.4/0.3/0.2) - 10/more (0.2/0.15/0.1)
0.5 (<120)
- A wide variety of topic-related words/phrases is used.
USE OF ENGLISH (2 MARKS)

- These words/phrases draw pictures in the reader’s mind and linger there.
- Their placement in the sentence seems accurate, natural and not forced. (1/0.75/0.5)
- A variety of topic-related words/phrases is used.
- These words/phrases draw pictures in the reader’s mind and may even linger there.
VOCABULARY - Occasionally, however, some of those words/phrases are used inaccurately or seem overdone. (0.75/0.6/0.4)
1 (150-175)
0.75 (150-120)
- Topic-related words/phrases haven’t been sufficiently developed (i.e., there are not enough of them to capture the reader’s
0.5 (<120) interest, or their use is incorrect).
- Word choice is vague, mundane, and/or repetitive (i.e., words/phrases communicate clearly, but the paragraph lacks variety,
punch, and/or flair). (0.5/0.4/0.25)
- No topic-related words or phrases are used, or they are used incorrectly.
- Word choice is bland, repetitive, limited, and fails to accurately present the arguments supporting the writer’s opinion; it also
fails to communicate meaning at the denotative/representative level. (0.25/0.19/0.13)
SPELLING
0.3
- No errors. (0.3/0.18/0.12) - 1 to 2. (0.2/0.12/0.08) - 3. (0.1/0.06/0.04) - 5/more.(0)
(0.5 MARKS)
MECHANICS

PUNCTUATION 0.1 - No errors. (0.1/0.06/0.04) - 1 to 2. (0.075/0.045/0.03) - 3. (0.05/0.03/0.02) - 5/more.(0.025/0.015/0.01)

CAPITALIZATION
- No errors. (0.1/0.06/0.04) - 1 to 2. (0.075/0.045/0.03) - 3. (0.05/0.03/0.02) - 5/more.(0.025/0.015/0.01)
0.1
0.3 (150-175)
0.1 (150-120) TOTAL (4 MARKS)
0.1 (<120)