The document outlines grading criteria for analyzing a text in increasing levels of complexity from D to A*. At a C level, students are expected to provide detailed references to the text and show some understanding of subtext and cultural context. At a B level, students should incorporate relevant evidence from the text, understand subtext, and appreciate how different effects are achieved. The highest level, A*, requires a confident handling of the text through cogent arguments about literary elements like characters, relationships, and conveyed meanings.

1. Criteria Grade Sentences
D Some detailed reference to the text, quoting or Alfieri is different to the others. He is not the
echoing, awareness of subtext. same and he speaks differently.
Beginning to see elements of style and how they
create effect or atmosphere.
Opinions conveyed with some clarity.
C Detailed reference to the text. Some probing of Alfieri is different because he is a lawyer, his role
subtext. Awareness of cultural context. makes him important because of the theme of
justice and his dialogue sounds like a lawyer.
Clear and structured response.
B Increasingly assured incorporation of relevant Alfieri’s role as a lawyer is complicated, he is
material. Understanding of sub-text. Appreciation of between the two cultures, and is able ‘to settle
a variety of ways in which effects are achieved. for half and I like it better’, his speech sounds
noticeably different to the way that Eddie
Focused and sustained response. speaks, it is more formal and less Italian. This
shows that he has successfully integrated into
American society.
A Able to speculate/offer tentative judgements in As the play progresses, Alfieri’s relationship with
exploring text, taking into account alternative Eddie shows the key conflicts and tensions – he
approaches. Evaluation of has ‘settled for half, and (he) likes it better’,
characters/relationships/situations/attitudes/ whereas Eddie stays true to his warped belief in
motives. Evaluation of the ways meaning, ideas and justice.
feelings are conveyed through language, structure
and form.
Opinions confidently expressed
A* Text consistently handled with confidence. Alfieri is a patriarchal figure, dispensing advice to
Eddie from his position within the American legal
Cogent and sustained development of literary system, “You have no recourse in the law’.
arguments. Eddie’s rejection of Alfieri’s fateful words,
highlights the cultural tensions in the text
between America and Italy and also between
natural justice and the law. However, Alfieri’s
last comment, ‘something perversely pure calls
to me from his memory—not purely good, but
himself purely’ suggests that…