Criterion D: Presentation (maximum mark 4)

Strands

This criterion focuses on two main strands.

1. Structure – as expected & appropriate for the subject

2. Layout – required elements to support understanding

The assessment is based upon the extent to which the essay follows the standard format expected for academic writing and upon the extent to which this aids effective communication.

Specific points covered

Specifically the assessment considers:

1. Is the structure of the essay compatible with the expected conventions of a research paper in chemistry?

2. Does the essay contain all the required elements. These are: a title page, a table of contents, page numbers, section headings (where appropriate), effective inclusion of illustrative materials (tables, graphs, diagrams etc. all, appropriately labeled), quotations (if relevant), a bibliography and correctly referenced (applied consistently according to an accepted format).

Note that if the essay exceeds four thousand words then the examiner will not read beyond 4000 words and the essay will be penalised accordingly.

Level 3-4 descriptor

How the student has addressed each of the specific points above then determines the mark out of four to be awarded. The level descriptors are given on page 105 of the Extended Essay Guide. To achieve the highest mark band of 3-4 the assessor must be satisfied that the requirements for the structure and layout have been properly and competently addressed:

The presentation (structure and layout) of the essay is good.

i.e. The structure of the essay is clearly appropriate according to the expected conventions for reporting research in chemistry.
      The required elements for the layout are all present and correctly applied.
      The structure and layout support the reading, understanding and evaluation of the essay.