c) Route map The introduction provides a clear and useful guide that fully enables the reader to make sense of what follows. The introduction provides an adequate guide that enables the reader to make sense of what follows. The introduction provides no or confused directions as to what follows. 2. DEVELOPMENT OF THE ESSAY E S I a) Structure The essay has a clear and coherent overall structure, with good linkage between elements. The essay has adequate overall structure, with linkage between elements. The material is jumbled or out of order causing misunderstandings or confusion. b) Development of argument and ideas Arguments and ideas are developed very effectively. The essay is written in a logical, sequential and sophisticated manner. The essay has an adequate flow that enables the argument to be developed. The essay is incoherent with insufficient building of the argument. c) Focus The essay answers the question and keeps to the point. The essay contains only material that is highly relevant to the title. The essay answers the questions and largely keeps to the point. The essay deviates from the title, fails to draw the material towards a focal point or fails to address the title fully. d) Use of sources The essay demonstrates an excellent or very good understanding of how to draw on a wide range of sources, identifying key material that is central to the understanding and development of the argument. The The essay demonstrates an adequate understanding of how to draw on a wide range of sources, identifying key material that is central to the understanding and Important sources are either not used or used inappropriately.
essay includes an appropriately wide selection of the most salient current material and important historical sources. The writer draws on high quality primary sources. Sources are cited appropriately and flawlessly. development of the argument. E S I e) Grasp of theory The essay shows evidence of deep, thorough and extensive knowledge of relevant theory. Further, the essay demonstrates a deep understanding of the relevance and impact of theory upon professional practice. The essay demonstrates adequate knowledge of relevant theory. The essay demonstrates inaccurate, only partly accurate or superficial knowledge of theory. f) Constructive critical analysis The essay critically evaluates theories, ideas and evidence in a focused, rigorous and balanced way to develop the arguments effectively. The material is well integrated. The essay uses the critical analysis constructively and creatively (e.g. to build theory, to recommend further research, to draw out clinical and ethical implications for professional practice or personal or service development). The essay uses appropriate evidence to build the main argument(s). The essay offers a sound critique of previous work and accurately identifies the most important flaws. A reasonable attempt is made to integrate the material. The essay’s thesis is not supported by appropriate evidence, or evidence is not well synthesised. The essay fails to be appropriately critical, applies critical analysis in an unfocused or unbalanced way or is lacking in critical analysis. h) Professional issues The essay demonstrates that the author possesses a deep and sophisticated The essay demonstrates that the author has an awareness of The essay omits consideration of the wider influences on the
understanding of the influence of the wider political, legal, organisational and systemic frameworks upon clinical psychology practice. A high level of integrity is demonstrated in consideration of professional practice and views espoused are highly consistent with guidelines for professional conduct. the influence of the wider political, legal, organisational and systemic frameworks upon the practice of clinical psychology. Views espoused are in commensurate with the guidelines for professional conduct. practice of clinical psychology or addresses these issues in an incoherent or confused manner. Views are espoused in a muddled way leading to doubt about whether or not they are commensurate with guidelines for professional conduct. Excellent/Very Good Good/Satisfactory Requires revision i) Evidence of original thought The essay’s overall thesis builds on existing theory, evidence and ideas to provide an insightful and original synthesis, viewpoint or analysis. The essay contains ideas that are original in part. The essay is derivative or provides a synthesis that is flawed. 3. CONCLUSION a) Summary of the argument The work is brought appropriately together with a succinct and clear summary of the information and ideas presented leading to a compelling conclusion. The summary follows clearly from the information and ideas presented and provides a reasonable and useful conclusion. The essay fails to provide a summary/conclusion, or does so in a perfunctory way or introduces new or irrelevant material. b) Implications The essay draws out the implications of the ideas for the clinical psychology profession (this may include research and or health/social policy) and/or for the trainee’s continuing professional development. Recommendations are firmly grounded in the review and are presented in a highly accessible way. The conclusions draw out the implications of the ideas in the essay for the profession and or the trainee’s continuing professional development as appropriate. The recommendations are grounded in the review and are The conclusion either fails to draw out the implications for the profession and/or the trainee’s continuing professional development, or does so in a way that is not grounded in the review.