MA marking criteria

Distinction

90+

Candidates will demonstrate all of the qualities required for a distinction in the 70-79 range. Work marked in this range will contain no or only very minor errors.

80-89

Candidates will demonstrate all of the qualities required for a distinction in the 70-79 range. Work marked in this range will include very few errors and will be of a standard expected in published work.

70-79

A highly accurate set of transcriptions, with only minor errors which do not compromise the meaning of the texts. Transcription conventions are appropriate to the content and nature of the document and are applied consistently throughout the transcriptions. Work is presented and formatted appropriately with attention to legibility, and is designed to effectively replicate the layout of the original texts.

Merit

60-69

An accurate set of transcriptions, with errors largely limited to particularly difficult words and/or abbreviations, and the meaning of the texts largely uncompromised. Transcription conventions are appropriate to the content and nature of the document and are applied consistently throughout most of the transcription, with only minor errors. Work is presented and formatted appropriately with attention to legibility, and with some consideration of the layout of the original texts.

Pass

50-59

A reasonably accurate set of transcriptions, displaying a level of awareness of the hands in question and the conventions of palaeographic transcriptions, though not evenly applied across the texts. Transcription conventions are suitable and applied with a reasonable level of consistency, although with some errors. Work is presented and formatted with some attention to legibility.

Fail

40-49

Candidates will have produced inaccurate transcriptions which fail to convey the full meaning of the original document(s); will have failed to apply suitable transcription conventions or have done so in an inconsistent manner. A mark in this range would entail transcriptions that are not usable in work to be submitted at Masters degree level.

30-39

Candidates will have failed to understand the basic techniques of palaeographic transcriptions; will have failed to recognise the distinctive features of early modern hands; will have failed to offer any explanation for the conventions they are using. Errors will be numerous and suggestive of an inability to recognise early modern letter forms at a basic level.

1-29

No serious attempt to carry out the task assigned. No evidence of serious acquaintance with the techniques of palaeography or early modern handwriting.

0

Indicates work either not submitted or unworthy of marking.