Oral Presentations Marking Criteria

Presentations are assessed on the quality of the content and communication of material. In the case of team presentations, markers will pay particular attention to coordination across group members.

Read the History Hacks Assessment guide

First class (90+)

Shows all the qualities of an 80+ presentation, but thoroughly independent, original and insightful; capable of suggesting major revisions to our understanding of the topic.

First class (80+)

Shows all the qualities of a 70+ presentation, but demonstrates exceptional insight, weight, and sophistication.

First class (70+)

A sophisticated presentation that, where appropriate, explores the methodological issues relevant to the subject, or considers scholarship and source material in an informed and perceptive way; in group formats, demonstrates an integrated approach to the planning and delivery of the presentation; exhibits enthusiastic and engaged delivery that makes the audience want to listen; uses very effective methods of conveying information, concepts and ideas; communicates difficult or abstruse ideas in a clear and intelligible way; answers any questions with perceptive and interesting responses; overall appears polished, accomplished and insightful.

Upper Second (60-69)

A carefully explained presentation that, where appropriate, articulates a good sense of scholarly debates, or raises issues with source material; in group formats, demonstrates co-operation in the planning and delivery of the presentation; is clearly delivered and engages the audience; effectively conveys information, concepts and ideas; attempts to explain difficult or abstruse ideas; provides coherent and informed responses in answer to questions; overall appears practised and coherent.

Lower Second (50-59)

A coherent presentation but with some omissions or lack of clarity; for example, a lack of engagement with scholarly debates or the nature of source material as appropriate; in group formats, some indication of collective responsibility but not sustained across the presentation as a whole; relatively clear delivery but perhaps limited consideration of the audience; information, concepts and ideas might not always be communicated effectively; difficult or abstruse ideas might not always be adequately explained; basic responses in answer to questions; overall appears proficient and prosaic rather than insightful and compelling.

Third Class (45-49) and Pass without Honours (40-44)

Little defined structure or analysis of the topic or source material as appropriate; limited or inadequate presentation; in group formats, no sense of collective input; poorly delivered presentation that does not engage the audience; responses to questions muddled or incomplete.

Fail (0-39)

Failure to carry out the task assigned; rambling and unstructured content; no discernible evidence of preparation; no evidence of having worked collaboratively within group formats as appropriate; poor delivery and no engagement with the audience; responses to questions may be irrelevant or flippant.  A mark of 0 indicates an unexplained absence from a scheduled presentation component.