WRITING - MARKING CRITERIA FOR STANAG 6001 LEVEL 3

TASKS

The written exam consists of two tasks.

In TASK 1 you are required to write a formal letter/e-mail or a memorandum of a minimum of 120 words on job-related topics. There is only one topic to write on (either a letter/e-mail or a memorandum).

In TASK 2 you are required to write a report of a minimum of 200 words on general social topics, such as politics, technology, economics, culture, social matters and military topics. There are always two topics to choose from. 

TIMING

The exam takes 80 minutes.

POINTS

You can receive 10 points for each task. To pass the exam you need to collect a minimum of 14 points out of 20.

MARKING CRITERIA

• language resources and accuracy (range of vocabulary and grammatical correctness);

• form (covering all points, length of text, formal language);

• organisation and content (coherent and logical presentation of arguments, good choice of arguments and their development, linking words);

• effect on the reader (does the text read well? is it understandable? is it easy to follow?).

COMMON MISTAKES

These are the most frequently made mistakes which can cause the negative assessment of the task (you will receive not more than 6 points for the task):

• frequent grammatical errors which sometimes hinder understanding, vocabulary sometimes used inappropriately (wrong choice of words, wrong collocations, loan translation (calque), mistaken parts of speech, e.g. a verb form used instead of a noun form), word order mistakes;

• form – elements of informal style appear in the text, at least one point is not covered, the text is 10% shorter than the required number of words; 

• text illogical in some points, poor arguments with attempts of justification, linking words occasionally used incorrectly;

• parts of the text require some effort and interpretation in order to be understood.

WORD LIMIT

The minimal number of words in Task 1 is 120, and in Task 2 – 200. If the number of words is 10% lower than required, you will receive not more than 6 points for this task.

No upper limit of words has been established.

TEXT STRUCTURE AND STYLE

Each new paragraph should begin with the topic sentence summarising its content.

Each new idea in the text should be developed appropriately so as to make the intention of the author clear.

Sequencing and listing words, such as firstly, secondly, finally need to be used.

Accuracy and grammatical correctness are expected.

All three points given in the instructions should be covered.

The texts have to be paragraphed and written in full sentences.

Appropriate format is required (letter, e-mail, memo, report).

The texts should be clear, coherent and cohesive.

The style has to be consistently formal.

Absurd and humorous ideas and examples must be avoided.

Arguments should be presented logically. Linking devices should be used to ensure cohesion of the text by showing:

• cause and effect

• contrast

• examples

• addition

• referencing

• purpose

• comparison

LANGUAGE FUNCTIONS

Different forms of writing might require different language functions. The following skills are expected of candidates:

Formal letter/e-mail:

giving information

asking for information

complaining

apologising

explaining

inviting

refusing

suggesting

Memorandum:

explaining

describing

requesting

giving information

suggesting solutions

giving orders

making assessments

Report:

describing a problem

giving arguments

giving examples

describing cause and effect

expressing opinions

justifying

suggesting

recommending

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