OFFICIAL LANGUAGES: FIRST ADDITIONAL LANGUAGE
EXAMINATION GUIDELINES
GRADE 12
2021
TABLE OF CONTENTS | Page |
1. INTRODUCTION | 3 |
2. PURPOSE | 3 |
3. PAPER 1 (LANGUAGE IN CONTEXT) Format, structure and mark allocation of question papers 3.1 Cover page 3.2 Instructions and information 3.3 SECTION A: COMPREHENSION 3.4 SECTION B: SUMMARY 3.5 SECTION C: LANGUAGE STRUCTURES AND CONVENTIONS | 4 4 4 4 5 6 8 |
4. PAPER 2 (LITERATURE) 4.1 Framework for setting the paper 4.2 Structure of the question paper 4.3 Cover page 4.4 Instructions and information 4.5 Table of Contents 4.6 Checklist 4.7 Instructions for each section 4.8 Questions 4.9 Marking guidelines | 10 10 11 11 12 13 13 13 13 14 |
5. PAPER 3 (WRITING) Format, structure and mark allocation of question papers 5.1 Cover page 5.2 Instructions and information 5.3 SECTION A: ESSAY 5.4 SECTION B: LONGER TRANSACTIONAL TEXT 5.5 SECTION C: SHORTER TRANSACTIONAL TEXT | 14 14 14 14 15 17 18 |
6.1 APPENDIX A: Assessment rubric: Essay 6.2 APPENDIX B: Assessment rubric: Longer transactional writing 6.3 APPENDIX C: Assessment rubric: Shorter transactional text | 19 21 22 |
7. TYPES OF QUESTIONS AND COGNITIVE LEVELS | 23 |
8. ASSESSMENT IN LANGUAGES | 23 |
9. CONCLUSION | 25 |
1. INTRODUCTION
The Curriculum and Assessment Policy Statement (CAPS) for Engineering Graphics and Design outlines the nature and purpose of the subject Engineering Graphics and Design. This guides the philosophy underlying the teaching and assessment of the subject in Grade 12.
The purpose of these Examination Guidelines is to:
- Provide clarity on the depth and scope of the content to be assessed in the Grade 12 National Senior Certificate (NSC) Examination in Engineering Graphics and Design.
- Assist teachers to adequately prepare learners for the NSC examinations.
This document deals with the final Grade 12 external examinations. It does not deal in any depth with the School-based Assessment (SBA), Performance Assessment Tasks (PATs) or final external practical examinations as these are clarified in a separate PAT document which is updated annually.
These Examination Guidelines should be read in conjunction with:
- The National Curriculum Statement (NCS) Curriculum and Assessment Policy Statement (CAPS): Engineering Graphics and Design
- The National Protocol of Assessment: An addendum to the policy document, the National Senior Certificate: A qualification at Level 4 on the National Qualifications Framework (NQF), regarding the National Protocol for Assessment (Grades R–12)
- The national policy pertaining to the programme and promotion requirements of the National Curriculum Statement, Grades R–12
- Circular E16 of 2020, Circular E19 of 2018 and Circular S13 of 2013 (Literature)
Disjunctive and Conjunctive Orthography in Languages
DISJUNCTIVE ORTHOGRAPHY | CONJUNCTIVE ORTHOGRAPHY |
English Afrikaans Sepedi Sesotho Setswana Tshivenda Xitsonga | IsiXhosa IsiNdebele IsiZulu Siswati |
2. PURPOSE
The purpose of these guidelines is to standardise the setting and marking of examinations in all 11 official languages in respect of:
- Number of sections
- Lengths and types of texts
- Types and levels of questions
- Allocation of marks
- Marking Guidelines/Assessment rubrics
3. PAPER 1 (LANGUAGE IN CONTEXT)
FORMAT, STRUCTURE AND MARK ALLOCATION OF QUESTION PAPER
3.1 Cover page
The cover page must contain the following information:
subject, level, paper, year, marks, time allocation and number of pages
First Additional Language Paper 1 November/June… (year of exam) Time: 2 hours Marks: 80 This paper consists of … pages. |
3.2 Instructions and information
This page should contain the following information:
- This question paper consists of THREE SECTIONS:
SECTION A: Comprehension (30)
SECTION B: Summary (10)
SECTION C: Language in context (40) - Answer ALL the questions.
- Start EACH section on a NEW page.
- Rule off after each section.
- Number the answers correctly according to the numbering system used in this question paper.
- Leave a line after each answer.
- Pay special attention to spelling and sentence construction.
- Suggested time allocation:
SECTION A: 50 minutes
SECTION B: 20 minutes
SECTION C: 50 minutes - Write neatly and legibly.
3.3 SECTION A: COMPREHENSION (30 marks) QUESTION 1
- Select TWO texts – ONE prose and ONE visual. The visual text does not have to be related to the prose text.
- Reading length
Text A (Prose):
Disjunctive orthography: 600–700 words
Conjunctive orthography: 450–500 words
Text B (Visual): (6 marks)
Do not count the words in the visual.
Focus of questions must be on the visual information.
Test comprehension in context.
NOTE:
- No comparative questions should be set based on the two texts.
- There will be one open-ended question in this section.
- There will be only one multiple-choice question.
Setting the comprehension questions
When setting questions, the following must be considered:
- Cognitive demands (see CAPS Section 4)
Always start with easy questions, followed by medium and then higher-order questions.
Various types of questions will be set in such a way that ALL the cognitive levels are catered for in the proportions indicated in each section:
Levels 1 and 2: 40% of total for section
Level 3: 40% of total for section
Levels 4 and 5: 20% of total for section
Refer to pages 21–23 for types of questions.
Questions can be divided into different levels of difficulty within a particular cognitive level.
Points to consider
- Texts should be grade and level appropriate.
- Adapt/Edit text if necessary. Ensure that the text is coherent.
- Use standard language.
- Avoid the following: contractions, slang, colloquialisms and vulgar language.
- Number paragraphs and lines correctly.
- Written texts must be retyped and not scanned.
- Acknowledge the source of a text.
- As far as possible, questions should follow the sequence of the text.
- As far as possible, lower-order questions should precede middle- and higher-order questions.
- Where applicable, questions should explicitly indicate that substantiation/ motivation/justification is required.
- Characters in visual texts should be clearly identified.
- In a cartoon, pictures/frames/panels should be clearly numbered.
- Multiple-choice questions: there should be four options for candidates to choose from.
Marking the comprehension
- Because the focus is on understanding, incorrect spelling and language errors in responses should not be penalised unless such errors change the meaning/ understanding. (Errors must still be indicated.)
- If a candidate uses words from a language other than the one being examined, disregard those words, and if the answer still makes sense, do not penalise. However, if a word from another language is used in a text and required in an answer, this will be acceptable.
- For open-ended questions, no marks should be awarded for YES/NO, or I AGREE/I DISAGREE. Equally no marks should be awarded for TRUE/FALSE or FACT/OPINION. The focus should be on the reason/substantiation/ motivation provided to support/justify the response.
- When one-word answers are required and the candidate gives a whole sentence, mark the answer as correct provided that the correct word is underlined/highlighted.
- When two/three facts/points are required and a range is given, mark only the first two/three.
- Accept local dialectal variations.
- For multiple-choice questions, accept BOTH the letter corresponding with the correct answer AND/OR the answer written out in full.
3.4 SECTION B: SUMMARY (10 marks) QUESTION 2
Candidates will be instructed to summarise in point form.
The instruction to candidates to rewrite the summary in their own words must be used with circumspection.
Length of text:
Disjunctive: approximately 250 words
The summary should not exceed 70 words.
Conjunctive: 220 words
The summary should not exceed 60 words.
NOTE: The summary text should not come from the comprehension passage.
Selecting the text and setting the summary
- The type of text chosen for the summary should afford candidates the opportunity to demonstrate ability to identify the main points/arguments from the examples which illustrate them.
- The instructions as to what the candidates must summarise must be clear.
- It is advisable to provide a context for the passage which candidates must summarise.
- Heading/Title: Candidates should not be required to provide a heading/title.
- Candidates should be instructed to indicate the number of words used in brackets.
Setting the marking guidelines
Provide a table which stipulates the facts as quoted in one column, and the facts as written out in the candidates' own words ('points/own words'), in the other colun, as provided in the template below
| Quotation | | Own words/Points |
1 | | 1 | |
2 | | 2 | |
3 | | 3 | |
4 | | 4 | |
5 | | 5 | |
6 | | 6 | |
7 | | 7 | |
| | | |
Marking the summary
Marking is on the basis of the inclusion of valid material and the exclusion of invalid material.
The summary should be marked as follows:
- Mark allocation:
- 7 marks for 7 points (1 mark per main point)
- 3 marks for language
- Total marks: 10
- Distribution of language marks when candidate has not quoted verbatim:
- 1–3 points correct: award 1 mark
- 4–5 points correct: award 2 marks
- 6–7 points correct: award 3 marks
- Distribution of language marks when candidate has quoted verbatim:
- 6 to 7 quotes: award no language mark
- 4 to 5 quotes: award a maximum of 1 language mark
- 2 to 3 quotes: award a maximum of 2 language marks
NOTE:
Word Count:
- Markers are required to verify the number of words used.
- Do not deduct any marks if the candidate fails to indicate the number of words used, or if the number of words used is indicated incorrectly. If the word limit is exceeded, read up to the last sentence above the stipulated upper limit and ignore the rest of the summary.
- SASL - If the time limit is exceeded, "read" up to the last sentence after the stipulated upper time limit and ignore the rest of the summary.
EXAMPLE
Language | Sentence/Phrase | No. of words |
ENGLISH | / | walk | | 2 |
AFRIKAANS | Ek | loop | | 2 |
SEPEDI | Ke | a | sepela | 3 |
SESOTHO/SETSWANA | Ke | a | tsamaya | 3 |
TSHIVENDA | Ndi | a | tshimbila | 3 |
XITSONGA | Mina | ndza | famba | 3 |
ISIZULU/SISWATI | Ngiyahamba | | | 1 |
ISIXHOSA | Ndiyahamba | | | 1 |
ISINDEBELE | Ngiyakhamba | | | 1 |
SA SIGN LANGUAGE | Not Applicable |
3.5 SECTION C: LANGUAGE STRUCTURES AND CONVENTIONS (ASSESSED IN CONTEXT) (40 marks)
THREE QUESTIONS as indicated below.
Will test the following:
- Vocabulary and language use
- Sentence structures
- Critical language awareness
QUESTION 3 (10 marks)
Advertisement (combination of visual and written)
Allocation of marks (refer to CAPS):
8 marks on the following:
Persuasive techniques: Emotive language, persuasion, bias, manipulative language
How language and images reflect and shape values and attitudes, images and language that are sexist, biased, ageist, or depend on the reinforcements of stereotypes, especially in advertisements
Impact of use of font types and sizes
2 marks on the following:
Vocabulary development and language use (refer to page 23 and page 24 of the CAPS)
OR
Sentence Structures and the organisation of texts (refer to page 24 and page 25 of the CAPS)
QUESTION 4 (10 marks)
Cartoon: combination of visual and written 1 or 2 cartoon(s) (single and/or multiple frames): 10 marks
8 marks on the following:
Persuasive techniques: Emotive language, persuasion, bias, manipulative language
How language and images reflect and shape values and attitudes, images and language that are sexist, biased, ageist, or depend on the reinforcements of stereotypes
Impact of use of font types and sizes
Analysis, interpretation, evaluation and response to the cartoon or comic strip
2 marks on the following:
Vocabulary development and language use (refer to page 23 and page 24 of the CAPS)
QUESTION 5:
5.1 Prose (14 marks)
Length of text:
Disjunctive: 150–200 words
Conjunctive: 80–100 words
5.2 Picture with a short text (6 marks)
NOTE:
There will be:
- Two open-ended questions in SECTION C, one in the advertisement and one in the cartoon.
- A maximum of three multiple-choice questions; one per question.
Setting the questions
- Questions should follow the sequence of the text.
- If possible, lower-order questions should precede middle- and higher-order questions.
- Characters in visual texts should be clearly identified.
- Pictures/Frames/Panels in cartoons should be clearly numbered.
- Multiple-choice questions: There should be four options for candidates to choose from.
Marking SECTION C:
- Spelling:
- One-word answers must be marked as correct even if the spelling is incorrect, unless the error changes the meaning of the word.
- In full-sentence answers, incorrect spelling should be penalised if the error is in the language structure being tested.
- Where an abbreviation is tested, the answer must be punctuated correctly.
- Sentence structures must be grammatically correct.
- For multiple-choice questions, accept BOTH the letter corresponding with the correct answer AND/OR the answer written out in full as correct.
4. PAPER 2 (LITERATURE)
4.1 Framework for setting the paper
Teachers are to consult Circular E39 of 2016 for details about the prescribed literature.
FORMAT
The question paper consists of FOUR sections:
SECTION A: Novel (35 marks)
SECTION B: Drama (35 marks)
SECTION C: Short stories (35 marks)
SECTION D: Poetry (35 marks)
Candidates will be required to answer a total of TWO questions from ANY TWO sections (ONE question on each genre studied) for 70 marks as shown below.
SECTION A: NOVEL (35 marks)
QUESTIONS 1–3
ONE CONTEXTUAL question on each novel.
LENGTH OF EXTRACTS
Two extracts:
Disjunctive: 200–225 words each
Conjunctive: 150–175 words each
SECTION B: DRAMA (35 marks)
QUESTIONS 4–5
ONE CONTEXTUAL question for each drama.
LENGTH OF EXTRACTS
Two extracts:
Disjunctive: 200–225 words each
Conjunctive: 150–175 words each
- Names of speakers should not be counted as part of the extract.
- Stage directions should be counted as part of the extract.
SECTION C: SHORT STORIES (35 marks) (17 + 18 OR 18 + 17)
QUESTION 6
- Questions will be set on two short stories.
- Candidates will be expected to answer questions set on BOTH short stories.
LENGTH OF EXTRACTS:
One extract for each short story:
Disjunctive: 200–225 words
Conjunctive: 150–175 words
SECTION D: POETRY (35 marks) (17 + 18 OR 18 + 17)
QUESTION 7
- Questions will be set on two seen (prescribed) poems.
- Candidates will be expected to answer questions set on BOTH poems.
4.2 Structure of the question paper
The question paper will consist of a cover page, an instruction and information page, a page with the table of contents, instructions for each section, the questions and a checklist.
4.3 Cover page
The cover page must contain the following information:
subject, level, paper, year, marks, time allocation and number of pages
Related Items
First Additional Language Paper 2 November/June … (year of exam) Marks: 70 Time: 2 hours This question paper consists of … pages. |
4.4 Instructions and information
This page should contain the following information:
Read these instructions carefully before you begin to answer questions.
- Do NOT attempt to read the entire question paper. Consult the table of contents on the next page and mark the numbers of the questions set on the texts you have studied this year. (Consult Circular E39 of 2016.)
- This question paper consists of FOUR sections:
SECTION A: Novel (35)
SECTION B: Drama (35)
SECTION C: Short Stories (35)
SECTION D: Poetry (35) - Answer TWO QUESTIONS from ANY TWO sections, as follows.
SECTION A: NOVEL
Answer the question on the novel you have studied.
SECTION B: DRAMA
Answer the question on the drama you have studied.
SECTION C: SHORT STORIES
Answer the questions set on BOTH short stories.
SECTION D: POETRY
Answer the questions set on BOTH poems.
Use the checklist to assist you. - Follow the instructions at the beginning of each section carefully.
- Number the answers correctly according to the numbering system used in this question paper.
- Start EACH section on a NEW page.
- Suggested time management: Spend approximately 60 minutes on each section.
- Write neatly and legibly.
4.5 Table of Contents
This page will enable candidates to choose the questions they wish to answer without having to read through the entire question paper.
SECTION A: NOVEL Answer ANY ONE question on the novel you have studied. |
QUESTION NO. | MARKS | PAGE NO. |
1. (Novel 1 title) | | |
2. (Novel 2 title) | | |
3. (Novel 3 title) | | |
SECTION B: DRAMA Answer ANY ONE question on the drama you have studied. |
4. (Drama 1 title) | | |
5. (Drama 2 title) | | |
SECTION C: SHORT STORIES Answer the questions set on BOTH short stories. |
6.1 ('Short story 1 title') | | |
6.2 ('Short story 2 title') | | |
SECTION D: POETRY Answer the questions set on BOTH poems. |
7.1 ('Poem 1 title') | | |
7.2 ('Poem 2 title') | | |
4.6 Checklist
A checklist should be provided to assist candidates to see whether they have answered the required number of questions.
SECTION | QUESTION NUMBERS | NO.OF QUESTIONS ANSWERED | TICK (✓) |
A: Novel | 1-3 | 1 | |
B: Drama | 4-5 | 1 | |
C: Short Stories | 6 | 1 | |
D: Poetry | 7 | 1 | |
NOTE: Ensure that you have answered questions on TWO sections only.
4.7 Instructions for each section
- The instructions at the beginning of each section should inform candidates of the choices they have to make and the number of questions they are required to answer.
- The number of marks should serve as a guide to the length of the answer expected.
- Where applicable, questions should explicitly indicate that substantiation/ motivation/justification is required.
- Multiple-choice questions must be phrased in the positive.
4.8 Questions
When setting questions the following must be considered:
Always start with lower-order questions, followed by middle-order and then higher-order questions.
Various types of questions will be set in such a way that ALL the cognitive levels are catered for in the proportions indicated in each question.
Levels 1 and 2: 40% of total for section
Level 3: 40% of total for section
Levels 4 and 5: 20% of total for section
Refer to page 21–23 for the types of questions.
- Levels of difficulty
Questions can be divided into different levels of difficulty within a particular cognitive level.
4.9 Marking guidelines
- A candidate may not answer more than one question on the same genre.
- If a candidate gives two answers, mark the first answer and ignore the next.
- If answers are incorrectly numbered, mark according to the memo.
- If a spelling error affects the meaning, mark as incorrect. If it does not affect the meaning, mark as correct.
- If the candidate does not use inverted commas when asked to quote, do not penalise.
- For open-ended questions, no marks should be awarded for YES/NO, or I AGREE/I DISAGREE. Equally no marks should be awarded for TRUE/FALSE or FACT/OPINION. The focus should be on the reason/substantiation/ motivation provided to support/justify the response.
5. PAPER 3 (WRITING)
For additional information kindly refer to the Creative Writing Self Study Guide document available on the DBE website.
FORMAT, STRUCTURE AND MARK ALLOCATION OF QUESTION PAPER
5.1 Cover page
The cover page must contain the following information:
subject, level, paper, year, marks, time allocation and number of pages
First Additional Language Paper 3 November/June … (year of exam) Marks: 100 Time: 2½ hours This question paper consists of … pages. |
5.2 Instructions and information
- This question paper consists of THREE SECTIONS:
SECTION A: Essay: (50)
SECTION B: Longer Transactional Text (30)
SECTION C: Shorter Transactional Text (20) - Answer ONE question from EACH section.
- Write in the language in which you are being assessed.
- Start EACH section on a NEW page.
- You must plan (e.g. using a mind map/diagram/flow chart/key words), edit and proofread your work. The plan must appear BEFORE each text.
- All planning must be clearly indicated as such and handed in. It is advisable to draw a line through all planning.
- You are strongly advised to spend approximately:
- 80 minutes on SECTION A
- 40 minutes on SECTION B
- 30 minutes on SECTION C
- Number the answers correctly according to the numbering system used in this question paper.
- Give each response a suitable title/heading.
- Do NOT consider the title/heading when doing a word count.
- Write neatly and legibly.
5.3 SECTION A: ESSAY
QUESTIONS 1.1–1.8
Candidates will be expected to answer ONE essay question.
Length of essay
Disjunctive orthography: 250–300 words
Conjunctive orthography: 190–240 words
Types of essays to be set
- Narrative
- Descriptive
- Reflective
- Discursive
- Argumentative
NOTE: Do NOT prescribe what type of essay a candidate should write on a topic.
Number of topics to be set
Eight topics, of which a minimum of two and a maximum of three should be visual stimuli.
Wording of topics
Topics should be concise and in language that is accessible to candidates.
- Candidates are allowed to give their visual stimuli essays their own topics.
- Flexibility must be exercised with wordy statements requiring an essay response to allow candidates to write only the question number rather than rewriting the entire statement.
NOTE: It is essential that a brief marking guideline accompanies the assessment rubric.
Weighting and rubrics
Essays will be assessed according to the following criteria:
CRITERIA | MARKS |
Content and planning (60%) | 30 |
Language, style and editing (30%) | 15 |
Structure (10%) | 5 |
TOTAL | 50 |
Use the Assessment Rubric in APPENDIX A to assess candidates' essays.
Marking the creative writing:
An essay cannot be without any indication that it has been read and awarded marks accordingly. The final mark awarded on the essay must be justifiable. Unlike the summary where there is a very strict word limit, an essay is creative work. If an essay is flowing in terms of creativity and captivating to the reader, it becomes unfair to focus only on the length at the expense of the content. The rule of thumb is that: • No additional penalties may be imposed as the rubric itself imposes penalties. |
5.4 SECTION B: LONGER TRANSACTIONAL TEXT
QUESTIONS 2.1– 2.4
Length of texts
Disjunctive orthography (content only): 120–150 words
Conjunctive orthography (content only): 80–100 words
Types of texts
(Refer to the CAPS, page 85.)
Candidates will be expected to answer only ONE question in this section. FOUR questions will be set, at least ONE and a maximum of TWO from each of the following categories:
Category A:
Friendly letter/Formal letter (request/application/business/complaint/sympathy/ congratulations/thanks)/Curriculum Vitae and covering letter (asked as a combination)/Formal/Informal letter to the press/e-mail
Category B:
Reviews/Newspaper article/Magazine article/Agenda and minutes of meeting (asked as a combination)/Formal/Informal reports/Obituary
Category C:
Dialogue/Written interview/Written formal/Informal speech
NOTE:
- Visuals may be used only as supportive material.
- The type of text required should be clearly indicated as a heading, e.g. 2.1 Obituary.
Wording of topics
Topics should be concise and in a language that is accessible to candidates.
Weighting and rubrics
Texts will be assessed on the following criteria:
CRITERIA | MARKS |
Content, planning and format (60%) | 18 |
Language, style and editing (40%) | 12 |
TOTAL | 30 |
NOTE: Various formats of transactional texts have been taught/are in current practice; therefore this has to be considered when assessing format.
Use the assessment rubric in APPENDIX B to assess candidates' longer transactional texts.
The marking guidelines must provide guidance regarding the nature, format and structure of a genre.
EXAMPLE:
Formal letter: Must have two addresses, salutation, heading, conclusion, etc.
5.5 SECTION C: SHORTER TRANSACTIONAL TEXT
QUESTIONS 3.1– 3.3
Length of texts
Disjunctive orthography: 80–100 words
Conjunctive orthography: 60–80 words
Types of texts
(Refer to the CAPS, page 85.)
Candidates will be expected to answer only ONE question in this section. THREE questions will be set, ONE from each of the following categories:
Category A:
Advertisement/Invitation card/Flyer/Poster
Category B:
Diary entries/Short Message System (SMS), namely: WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger etc.
Category C:
Instructions/Directions
NOTE:
- Visuals may be used only as supportive material.
- The type of text required should be clearly indicated as a heading, e.g. 3.1 Directions.
- Topics should be set in such a way that candidates will have the opportunity to write the required number of words.
- Candidates' responses should be limited to written texts only.
- No marks are awarded for pictures, sketches, etc.
Wording of topics
Topics should be concise and in language that is accessible to candidates.
Weighting and rubrics
Texts will be assessed on the following criteria:
CRITERIA | MARKS |
Content, planning and format (60%) | 12 |
Language, style and editing (40%) | 8 |
TOTAL | 20 |
NOTE: Various formats of transactional texts have been taught/are in current practice; therefore this has to be considered when assessing format.
Use the assessment rubric in APPENDIX C to assess candidates' shorter transactional texts.
6.1 APPENDIX A: ASSESSMENT RUBRIC: ESSAY [50 MARKS]
NOTE:
- Always use the rubric when marking the creative essay (Paper 3, Section A).
- The marks from 0–50 have been divided into 5 major level descriptors.
- In the Content, Language and Style criteria, each of the five level descriptors is divided into an upper and a lower level subcategory with the applicable mark range and descriptors.
- Structure is not affected by the upper level and lower level division.
(See the next page.)
Criteria | | Exceptional | Skilful | Moderate | Elementary | Inadequate |
CONTENT & PLANNING (Response and ideas) Organisation of ideas for planning; Awareness of purpose, audience and context 30 MARKS | Upper level | 28-30 | 22-24 | 16-18 | 10-12 | 4-6 |
- Outstanding/Striking response beyond normal expectations
- Intelligent, thought-provoking and mature ideas
- Exceptionally well organised and coherent (connected), including introduction, body and conclusion/ending
| - Very well-crafted response
- Fully relevant and interesting ideas with evidence of maturity
- Very well organised and coherent (connected), including introduction, body and conclusion/ ending
| - Satisfactory response
- Ideas are reasonably coherent and convincing
- Reasonably organised and coherent, including introduction, body and conclusion/ending
| - Inconsistently coherent response
- Unclear ideas and unoriginal
- Little evidence of organisation and coherence
| - Totally irrelevant response
- Confused and unfocused ideas
- Vague and repetitive
- Unorganised and incoherent
|
Lower level | 25-27 | 19-21 | 13-15 | 7-9 | 0-3 |
- Excellent response but lacks the exceptionally striking qualities of the outstanding essay
- Mature and intelligent ideas
- Skilfully organised and coherent (connected), including introduction, body and conclusion/ending
| - Well-crafted response
- Relevant and interesting ideas
- Well organised and coherent (connected), including introduction, body and conclusion
| - Satisfactory response but some lapses in clarity
- Ideas are fairly coherent and convincing
- Some degree of organisation and coherence, including introduction, body and conclusion
| - Largely irrelevant response
- Ideas tend to be disconnected and confusing
- Hardly any evidence of organisation and coherence
| - No attempt to respond to the topic
- Completely irrelevant and inappropriate
- Unfocused and muddled
|
LANGUAGE, STYLE AND EDITING Tone, register, style, vocabulary appropriate to purpose/effect and context; Word choice; Language use and conventions, punctuation, grammar, spelling 15 MARKS | Upper level | 14-15 | 11-12 | 8-9 | 5-6 | 0-3 |
- Tone, register, style and vocabulary highly appropriate to purpose, audience and context
- Exceptionally impressive use of language
- Compelling and rhetorically effective in tone
- Virtually error-free in grammar and spelling
- Very skilfully crafted
| - Tone, register, style and vocabulary very appropriate to purpose, audience and context
- Language is effective and a consistently appropriate tone is used
- Largely error-free in grammar and spelling
- Very well crafted
| - Tone, register, style and vocabulary appropriate to purpose, audience and context
- Appropriate use of language to convey meaning
- Tone is appropriate
- Rhetorical devices used to enhance content
| - Tone, register, style and vocabulary less appropriate to purpose, audience and context
- Very basic use of language
- Tone and diction are inappropriate
- Very limited vocabulary
| - Language incomprehensible
- Tone, register, style and vocabulary not appropriate to purpose, audience and context
- Vocabulary limitations so extreme as to make comprehension impossible
|
Lower Level | 13 | 10 | 7 | 4 | |
- Language excellent and rhetorically effective in tone
- Virtually error-free in grammar and spelling
- Skilfully crafted
| - Language engaging and generally effective
- Appropriate and effective tone
- Few errors in grammar and spelling
- Well crafted
| - Adequate use of language with some inconsistencies
- Tone generally appropriate and limited use of rhetorical devices
| - Inadequate use of language
- Little or no variety in sentences
- Exceptionally limited vocabulary
|
STRUCTURE Features of text; Paragraph development and sentence construction 5 MARKS | | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 0-1 |
- Excellent development of topic
- Exceptional detail
- Sentences, paragraphs exceptionally well-constructed
| - Logical development of details
- Coherent
- Sentences, paragraphs logical, varied
| - Relevant details developed
- Sentences, paragraphs well-constructed
- Essay still makes sense
| - Some valid points
- Sentences and paragraphs faulty
- Essay still makes some sense
| - Necessary points lacking
- Sentences and paragraphs faulty
- Essay lacks sense
|
6.2 APPENDIX B: ASSESSMENT RUBRIC FOR LONGER TRANSACTIONAL WRITING (30 MARKS)
Criteria | Exceptional | Skilful | Moderate | Elementary | Inadequate |
CONTENT, PLANNING & FORMAT Response and ideas; Organisation of ideas for planning; Purpose, audience, features/conventions and context 18 MARKS | 15-18 | 11-14 | 8-10 | 5-7 | 0-4 |
- Outstanding response beyond normal expectations
- Intelligent and mature ideas
- Extensive knowledge of features of the type of text
- Writing maintains focus
- Coherence in content and ideas
- Highly elaborated and all details support the topic
- Appropriate and accurate format
| - Very good response demonstrating good knowledge of features of the type of text
- Maintains focus – no digressions
- Coherent in content and ideas, very well elaborated and details support topic
- Appropriate format with minor inaccuracies
| - Adequate response demonstrating knowledge of features of the type of text
- Not completely focused – some digressions
- Reasonably coherent in content and ideas
- Some details support the topic
- Generally appropriate format but with some inaccuracies
| - Basic response demonstrating some knowledge of features of the type of text
- Some focus but writing digresses
- Not always coherent in content and ideas
- Few details support the topic
- Has vaguely applied necessary rules of format
- Some critical oversights
| - Response reveals no knowledge of features of the type of text
- Meaning is obscure with major digressions
- Not coherent in content and ideas
- Very few details support the topic
- Necessary rules of format not applied
|
LANGUAGE, STYLE & EDITING Tone, register, style, purpose/effect, audience and context; Language use and conventions; Word choice; Punctuation and spelling 12 MARKS | 10-12 | 8-9 | 6-7 | 4-5 | 0-3 |
- Tone, register, style and vocabulary highly appropriate to purpose, audience and context
- Grammatically accurate and well-constructed
- Virtually error-free
| - Tone, register, style and vocabulary very appropriate to purpose, audience and context
- Generally grammatically accurate and well-constructed
- Very good vocabulary
- Mostly free of errors
| - Tone, register, style and vocabulary appropriate to purpose, audience and context
- Some grammatical errors
- Adequate vocabulary
- Errors do not impede meaning
| - Tone, register, style and vocabulary less appropriate to purpose, audience and context
- Inaccurate grammar with numerous errors
- Limited vocabulary
- Meaning obscured
| - Tone, register, style and vocabulary do not correspond to purpose, audience and context
- Error-ridden and confused
- Vocabulary not suitable for purpose
- Meaning seriously impaired
|
MARK RANGE | 25-30 | 19-23 | 14-17 | 9-12 | 0-7 |
6.3 APPENDIX C: ASSESSMENT RUBRIC: SHORTER TRANSACTIONAL WRITING [20 MARKS]
Criteria | Exceptional | Skilful | Moderate | Elementary | Inadequate |
CONTENT, PLANNING & FORMAT Response and ideas; Organisation of ideas for planning; Purpose, audience, features/conventions and context 12 MARKS | 10-12 | 8-9 | 6-7 | 4-5 | 0-3 |
- Outstanding response beyond normal expectations
- Intelligent and mature ideas
- Extensive knowledge of features of the type of text
- Writing maintains focus
- Coherence in content and ideas
- Highly elaborated and all details support the topic
- Appropriate and accurate format
| - Very good response demonstrating good knowledge of features of the type of text
- Maintains focus – no digressions
- Coherent in content and ideas, very well elaborated and details support topic
- Appropriate format with minor inaccuracies
| - Adequate response demonstrating knowledge of features of the type of text
- Not completely focused – some digressions
- Reasonably coherent in content and ideas
- Some details support the topic
- Generally appropriate format but with some inaccuracies
| - Basic response demonstrating some knowledge of features of the type of text
- Some focus but writing digresses
- Not always coherent in content and ideas
- Few details support the topic
- Has vaguely applied necessary rules of format
- Some critical oversights
| - Response reveals no knowledge of features of the type of text
- Meaning is obscure with major digressions
- Not coherent in content and ideas
- Very few details support the topic
- Necessary rules of format not applied
|
LANGUAGE, STYLE & EDITING Tone, register, style, purpose/effect, audience and context; Language use and conventions; Word choice; Punctuation and spelling 8 MARKS | 10-12 | 8-9 | 6-7 | 4-5 | 0-3 |
- Tone, register, style and vocabulary highly appropriate to purpose, audience and context
- Grammatically accurate and well-constructed
- Virtually error-free
| - Tone, register, style and vocabulary very appropriate to purpose, audience and context
- Generally grammatically accurate and well-constructed
- Very good vocabulary
- Mostly free of errors
| - Tone, register, style and vocabulary appropriate to purpose, audience and context
- Some grammatical errors
- Adequate vocabulary
- Errors do not impede meaning
| - Tone, register, style and vocabulary less appropriate to purpose, audience and context
- Inaccurate grammar with numerous errors
- Limited vocabulary
- Meaning obscured
| - Tone, register, style and vocabulary do not correspond to purpose, audience and context
- Error-ridden and confused
- Vocabulary not suitable for purpose
- Meaning seriously impaired
|
MARK RANGE | 17-20 | 13-15 | 10-11 | 7-8 | 0-5 |
7. TYPES OF QUESTIONS AND COGNITIVE LEVELS
Using Barrett's Taxonomy, various types of questions will be set in such a way that ALL the cognitive levels are catered for in the proportions indicated:
Levels 1 and 2: 40% of total marks
Level 3: 40% of total marks
Levels 4 and 5: 20% of total marks
Barrett's Taxonomy
LEVEL | DESCRIPTION | QUESTION TYPES |
1 | Literal (information in the text) | Example: Name the …; List the …; Identify the …; Describe the …; Relate the … |
2 | Reorganisation (analysis, synthesis or organisation of information) | Example: Summarise the main ideas …; State the differences/ similarities … |
3 | Inference (engagement with information in terms of personal experience) | Example: Explain the main idea …; What is the writer's intention …; What do you think will be … |
4 | Evaluation (judgements concerning the value or worth) | Example: Do you think that …; Discuss critically … |
5 | Appreciation (assess the impact of the text) | Example: Discuss your response …; Comment on the writer's use of language … |
8. ASSESSMENT IN LANGUAGES
8.1 COGNITIVE LEVELS
According to Barrett's Taxonomy of Reading Comprehension there are FIVE cognitive levels. In ascending order of complexity: Literal, Reorganisation, Inference, Evaluation and Appreciation. In Bloom's Taxonomy, the following SIX question categories are defined: Knowledge, Comprehension, Application, Analysis, Synthesis and Evaluation.
While the overlaps in the two taxonomies are evident, the types of questions below provide examples of the cognitive levels as outlined in Barrett's Taxonomy.
8.2TYPES OF QUESTIONS
Contextual Questions (Language and Literature Papers):
Contextual questions are set on a variety of selected texts (in the Language Paper) and on extracts from the prescribed texts (in the Literature Paper) to assess language competency and to gauge the extent of the insight and depth of understanding espoused in the NCS CAPS. The level of complexity depends on the level at which the language is being assessed, i.e. HL, FAL or SAL.
8.2.1Literal
Questions that deal with information explicitly stated in the text:
- Name the things/people/places/elements …
- State the facts/reasons/points/ideas …
- Identify the reasons/persons/causes …
- List the points/facts/names/reasons …
- Describe the place/person/character ...
- Relate the incident/episode/experience …
8.2.2Reorganisation
Questions that require analysis, synthesis or organisation of information explicitly stated in the text:
- Summarise the main points/ideas/pros/cons …
- Group the common elements/factors …
- State the similarities/differences …
- Give an outline of …
8.2.3Inference
Questions that require a candidate's engagement with information explicitly stated in the text in terms of his/her personal experience:
- Explain the main idea …
- Compare the ideas/attitudes/actions …
- What is the writer's (or character's) intention/attitude/motivation/ reason …
- Explain the cause/effect of …
- What does an action/comment/attitude, etc. reveal about the narrator/ writer/character …
- How does the metaphor/simile/image affect your understanding …
- What do you think will be the outcome/effect, etc. of an action/ situation …
- True/False questions
- Multiple-choice questions
- Choose the correct option (from a given list)
- Fill in the blanks (using contextual clues)
- Questions on visual and graphic literacy
8.2.4Evaluation
These questions deal with judgements concerning value and worth. These include judgements regarding reality, credibility, facts and opinions, validity, logic and reasoning, and issues such as the desirability and acceptability of decisions and actions in terms of moral values.
- Do you think that what transpires is credible/realistic/ possible …?
- Is the writer's argument valid/logical/conclusive …
- Discuss/Comment critically on the action/intention/motive/attitude/ suggestion/implication …
- Do you agree with the view/statement/observation/interpretation that …
- Is the character's attitude/behaviour/action justifiable or acceptable to you? Give a reason for your answer.
- What does a character's actions/attitudes/motives … show about him/her in the context of universal values?
- Discuss critically/Comment on the value judgements made in the text.
8.2.5 Appreciation
These questions are intended to assess the psychological and aesthetic impact of the text on the candidate. They focus on emotional responses to the content, identification with characters or incidents, and reactions to the writer's use of language (such as word choice and imagery).
- Discuss your response to the text/incident/situation/conflict/dilemma …
- Do you empathise with the character? What action/decision would you have taken if you had been in the same situation?
- Discuss/Comment on the writer's use of language …
- Discuss the effectiveness of the writer's style/introduction/conclusion/ imagery/metaphors/use of poetic techniques/literary devices …
9. CONCLUSION
This Examination Guidelines document is meant to articulate the assessment aspirations espoused in the CAPS document. It is therefore not a substitute for the CAPS document which educators should teach to.
Qualitative curriculum coverage as enunciated in the CAPS cannot be over-emphasised.