AS 91480 Annotated exemplars

This annotated exemplar is intended for teacher use only. Annotated exemplars are extracts of student evidence, with commentary, that explain key parts of a standard. These help teachers make assessment judgements at the grade boundaries.

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TKI English assessment resources (external link)

For Excellence, the student needs to respond critically and perceptively to significant aspects of visual and/or oral text(s) through close reading, supported by evidence.

This involves making sophisticated, insightful and/or original interpretations and judgements through a detailed exploration and consideration of significant aspects of text/s.

This student has responded critically and perceptively to extracts from the films The Dark Knight and Inception, supported by evidence.

The student makes insightful interpretations of the aspect of camera work, and how it is used to explore the relationship between characters. These interpretations relate the scene to the wider film to show the significance of the camera work to The Dark Night as a whole (1).

The student sustains a strong link between camera work and its effect on audience and purpose. This interpretation is just sufficiently sophisticated (1) (2).

The final paragraph in this section explores some of the influencing factors that could be behind Nolan’s camera work choices. This begins to show evidence of original interpretation (3).

For a more secure Excellence, the student could provide more examples of original interpretations.  

For Merit, the student needs to respond critically and convincingly to significant aspects of visual and/or oral text(s) through close reading, supported by evidence.

This involves making discerning and informed interpretations and judgements through a detailed exploration and consideration of significant aspects of text/s.

This student has responded critically and convincingly to extracts from the films Gangs of New York and Goodfellas, supported by evidence.

The student begins an interpretation of the use of dialogue early in their report (1). There is a strong link between this aspect and convincing interpretations of meaning (2). The specific and relevant detail is integrated with discerning and informed interpretations to create a convincing report (3). Some critical response begins to show insight (4).

To reach Excellence, the student could develop the critical response so that the judgements and interpretations show sophistication and originality.

For Merit, the student needs to respond critically and convincingly to significant aspects of visual and/or oral text(s) through close reading, supported by evidence.

This involves making discerning and informed interpretations and judgements through a detailed exploration and consideration of significant aspects of text/s.

This student has responded critically and convincingly to extracts from the films Titanic and Avatar, supported by evidence.

The student’s discussion of sound effects and music is just convincing enough to meet the standard. At times the evidence is a little general, but there is enough specific evidence to support an informed judgement (1). More specific than the discussion on Titanic, the student’s discussion of the impact of sound on this scene in Avatar draws discerning and informed judgements (2).

For a more secure Merit, the student could shift the focus from description to providing interpretations and judgements, so that the critical response becomes consistently convincing.

For Achieved, the student needs to respond critically to significant aspects of visual and/or oral text(s) through close reading, supported by evidence.

This involves making evaluative interpretations and judgements through a detailed exploration and consideration of significant aspects of text/s.

This student has responded critically to extracts from the films The Shining and 2001: A Space Odyssey, supported by evidence.

The student links Kubrick’s use of the steady-cam to an interpretation of the effect on the audience (1), and the evaluative comments on Kubrick’s use of camera shots are detailed (2). The student’s critical interpretation shows moments where the evaluation is convincing (3).

To reach Merit, the student could focus the discussion on making discerning and informed interpretations and more consistent judgements.

For Achieved, the student needs to respond critically to significant aspects of visual and/or oral text(s) through close reading, supported by evidence.

This involves making evaluative interpretations and judgements through a detailed exploration and consideration of significant aspects of text/s.

This student has responded critically to extracts from the films The Dark Knight and Inception, supported by evidence.

The student uses evaluative interpretations and judgements to discuss Nolan’s use of lighting (1), and draws links between Nolan’s use of lighting aspects across his films (2). The student makes a detailed exploration of Nolan’s use of music, providing evaluative judgements of the effect of these aspects (3).

For a more secure Achieved, the student could support the interpretations with specific and relevant examples from the films. The student could give more interpretation and evaluation about how the selected aspects of film create meaning.

For Achieved, the student needs to respond critically to significant aspects of visual and/or oral text(s) through close reading, supported by evidence.

This involves making evaluative interpretations and judgements through a detailed exploration and consideration of significant aspects of text/s.

This student has responded critically to extracts from the films King Kong and The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King,supported by evidence.

The student includes a general reference to Peter Jackson’s style of camera angles (1). Specific and relevant details are given of cinematography in The Lord of the Rings (2) and King Kong (3). The student begins to interpret the use of the multiple camera angles (4). The discussion of sound includes a general explanation of effects (5).

To reach Achieved, the student could develop the explanation of cinematography to make evaluations and interpretations of how meaning is created. The student could support the interpretation of the use of sound with specific and relevant details from each text.