1)The question on ISSUE (Identify the issue..

) must begin with

The issue is WHETHER...............

2) The question on argument (State the author's argument) must begin with

The author's argument (any of the following depending on the context)

-is for/ against

-supports/ does not support

3)State the author's purpose.

The author's purpose is to inform/ to persuade/ to entertain (choose one)

Note question 4 f can be either about whether author's argument is "credible or "valid" or both

4) Is the author's argument credible?

Dec2016
f) The argument is credible.(1/2 mark) (1 mark)
The author uses relevant and verifiable support as well as external and (trusted/reliable) sources that makes
his argument convincing and well-supported such as: (1/2 mark)
(i) Research findings from studies by researchers from Cancer Council New South Wales, which
appeared in Nutrition & Dietetics Journal, findings by Action on Sugar, a campaign group, by researchers
from the Stanford University School of Medicine, the University of California-Berkeley and the University of
California-San Francisco.
(ii) Expert opinion by Clare Hughes, the co-author of the research and the manager of Nutrition Programs
at Cancer Council NSW, as well as Professor Graham MacGregor, the chairman for Action on Sugar,
recommendations by Kawther Hashem, Action on Sugar researcher, and celebrity chef, Jamie Oliver.
(2 marks)
5) Is the author's argument valid?

June 2016
a) The argument is valid (1 mark) as the author uses logical reasons based on relevant and verifiable
support as well as external sources such as (1 mark):
Examples of evidence
i) Author Alfie Kohn in his book, The Homework Myth points out that no study has ever found a correlation
between homework and academic achievement in elementary school
ii) Reports in the 1920s where some physicians were concerned about the impact of homework on
children's health
iii) In the 1930s, editor Edward Bok of the Ladies Home Journal also called for an end to the homework
practice
iv) Expert testimony from critically acclaimed author Tami Ansary and expert opinion from Etta Kralovec
v) Examples of homework bans in history
vi) President Francoise Hollande of Frances proposal of banning homework for all primary and middle
school students
vii) A poll in a TODAY.com showing more than 80 per cent of respondents who complained children have
too much homework
(1 mark)
(At least two examples of support that are relevant to the argument need to be provided together with some
explanation on how they lend validity to the argument).
Award 0 if students state that the argument is invalid.
(3 marks)

5 Is the author's argument complete?

June 2015
Q. 4 g
a) Yes, the authors argument is complete (1 mark) as the author uses adequate support from external
sources and provides counter argument (1 mark) such as:
Examples of evidence:
i) Author Alfie Kohn in his book, The Homework Myth points out that no study has ever found a correlation
between homework and academic achievement in elementary school
ii) Previous reports in the 1920s and 1930s
iii) Editor Edward Boks call for an end to homework, expert testimony from critically acclaimed author Tami
Ansary and expert opinion from Etta Kralovec
iv) Examples of homework bans and also a poll in a TODAY.com poll showing more than 80 per cent of
respondents who complained children have too much homework

As counter-argument, the author for example, refers to the two findings by the Organisation for Economic
Co-operation and Development (OECD). (1 mark)
Note: mark for evidence that supports the argument and mark for the evidence that contains
the counter argument.

(3 marks)

In this case, if a student states that the argument is incomplete when in actual fact it is complete,
award only 1 mark for attempting to give some sort of evaluation.
(Note: A statement of whether the argument is complete/ incomplete = 1 mark, evidence from the article to
indicate the completeness/ incompleteness of the argument as well as some elaboration of this = 2 marks)

Note: Deduct up to a maximum of 2 marks for errors in language from the marks awarded for the
answers.
Dec 2016

Q 4g

a) Yes, the authors argument is complete (1 mark) as the author uses adequate support from external
sources and provides counter argument (1 mark) such as:
Examples of evidence:
i) Author Alfie Kohn in his book, The Homework Myth points out that no study has ever found a correlation
between homework and academic achievement in elementary school
ii) Previous reports in the 1920s and 1930s
iii) Editor Edward Boks call for an end to homework, expert testimony from critically acclaimed author Tami
Ansary and expert opinion from Etta Kralovec
iv) Examples of homework bans and also a poll in a TODAY.com poll showing more than 80 per cent of
respondents who complained children have too much homework

As counter-argument, the author for example, refers to the two findings by the Organisation for Economic
Co-operation and Development (OECD). (1 mark)
Note: mark for evidence that supports the argument and mark for the evidence that contains the
counter argument.

(3 marks)

In this case, if a student states that the argument is incomplete when in actual fact it is complete,
award only 1 mark for attempting to give some sort of evaluation.
(Note: A statement of whether the argument is complete/ incomplete = 1 mark, evidence from the article to
indicate the completeness/ incompleteness of the argument as well as some elaboration of this = 2 marks)

Note: Deduct up to a maximum of 2 marks for errors in language from the marks awarded for the
answers.