10Q/Ci2 Citizenship: 12 Mark Evaluation Feedback (16 year olds voting)
Marking Overview
32
Which view do you agree with more? (12 marks)
12 marks
?/12
Success Criteria for a 12-Mark Answer
This guide is based on an analysis of a real student script that scored 12/12. It shows what is needed to reach the top marks.
- Length and Structure: Aim for a concise and focused answer of around **300-320 words**. The best answers follow a clear 3 or 4 paragraph structure: an introduction, one or two body paragraphs, and a conclusion.
- Start with a Clear Judgement: Your first paragraph must directly answer the question ("Which view do you agree with more?"). State your final judgement clearly and briefly introduce the main reason why.
- Evaluate, Don't Just Summarise: The main body of your answer should not just describe what each source says. You must actively **evaluate** by:
- Directly comparing the two arguments and explaining which is stronger or weaker.
- Critiquing the quality of the evidence used (e.g., is it based on **facts and statistics** or just **opinion**?).
- Considering the potential bias or limited perspective of the writers.
- Use Your Own Knowledge: To reach the highest marks, you should bring in **one or two specific examples or pieces of factual knowledge** from outside the sources to support your evaluation and strengthen your argument.
- Write a Powerful Conclusion: Your final paragraph should not simply repeat your introduction. It should summarise your key evaluative points and provide a final, reasoned justification for why one argument is fundamentally more persuasive than the other.
Source Texts for this Assignment
Writer A: Alex Chen - "Give Young People a Real Voice"
Young people deserve a much stronger voice in how our country is run. At 16, you can work, pay taxes, and even vote in some elections, yet most political decisions are made by older politicians who won't live with the long-term consequences of their choices. Climate change is the perfect example. While older generations created this crisis, it's young people who will face rising sea levels, extreme weather, and environmental destruction for decades to come. Yet when young climate protesters take action, they're often dismissed or even arrested rather than listened to. The voting age should be lowered to 16 for all elections. Young people today are more informed than ever before, with instant access to news and political information through social media. Many 16-year-olds understand political issues better than adults who don't bother to research before voting. Schools should also teach more about how government actually works - not just boring facts about parliament, but real skills like how to campaign for change, how to contact your MP, and how to organize protests. When young people feel excluded from politics, they become frustrated and disconnected from democracy. Politicians constantly make decisions about education, youth services, and future job prospects without properly consulting the people most affected. If we want young people to believe in democracy, we need to give them real power to influence the decisions that shape their lives.
Writer B: Sarah Williams - "Experience Matters in Democracy"
While young people's opinions are important, lowering the voting age and giving teenagers more political power would be a serious mistake that could damage our democratic system. Politics involves incredibly complex decisions about economics, international relations, and social policy that require real-world experience to understand properly. A 16-year-old might feel passionate about an issue, but they haven't yet experienced paying taxes, running a business, raising children, or dealing with the practical realities of adult life that politics directly affects. Young people are also more likely to be influenced by social media trends and celebrity opinions rather than carefully researching policies. Their views can change rapidly as they mature and gain life experience. Many adults look back at their teenage political opinions and realize how naive or one-sided they were. Our current system already gives young people appropriate ways to participate - through school councils, youth parliaments, and campaigning groups. These provide valuable experience without giving voting power to people who aren't yet fully responsible for supporting themselves or others. The minimum voting age of 18 makes sense because it aligns with other adult responsibilities like signing contracts and making independent financial decisions. Democracy works best when voters have enough life experience to understand the real consequences of political choices, not just the idealistic goals that appeal to younger people. Rather than lowering voting ages, we should focus on better political education so that when young people do reach 18, they're truly prepared to vote responsibly.
Writer Aβs main argument rests on the idea of fairness.Good analysis of Writer A, showing understanding of the historical principle behind the argument. He argues that since 16-year-olds can pay taxes, they deserve a voice in how that money is spent, a modern take on 'no taxation without representation'. He also claims young people are more "informed" due to social media and must live with the "long-term consequences" of decisions like those on climate change. While these points are valid in theory, they are weakened by their lack of context.This is a strong evaluative phrase that introduces a critique. For example, very few 16-year-olds pay income tax on a level comparable to full-time adult workers, which somewhat undermines the central pillar of his argument.This is excellent use of own knowledge to effectively challenge the source's main point.
In contrast, Sarah Williams's argument is more persuasive because it focuses on the potential for harm.This paragraph clearly explains and supports the preferred viewpoint. Her point that lowering the voting age would be a "serious mistake" is supported by her claim that teenagers lack "real-world experience" and are easily "influenced by social media trends and celebrity opinions". This is a stronger argument because it acknowledges the reality of political campaigning and the power of social media to spread misinformation, which can lead to uninformed or emotionally-driven voting. Unlike Writer A's focus on rights, Williams prioritises the stability of the "democratic system", arguing that mature decision-making is essential for it to function correctly.Another excellent evaluative comparison of the two writers' priorities.
In conclusion, I agree more with Sarah Williams. Her argument is more compelling because the risk of damaging democracy with an easily influenced and inexperienced electorate is a greater threat than the injustice of denying the vote to a small number of 16-year-olds who pay tax.The conclusion weighs the two arguments directly against each other and explains why one outweighs the other, providing a final, reasoned judgement. The stability of the democratic process should be the highest priority.
β Strengths of this Model Answer
- **Concise & Focused:** It is approximately 315 words long, similar to a real exam answer.
- **Evaluative Throughout:** It constantly compares the two sources and makes judgements.
- **Uses Own Knowledge:** It brings in external facts (about the level of tax paid by 16-year-olds) to support its points.
- **Critiques Evidence:** It assesses the *quality* of the arguments (principle vs. practical risk).
π How this answer gets top marks
- It moves beyond simple summary to build a coherent and critical argument.
- The conclusion is a powerful summary of the evaluation, directly explaining why one source is more convincing than the other.
- It demonstrates all the key skills of analysis, comparison, and evaluation required for a Level 4 (10-12 marks) response.
β Strengths (What you have started well)
- You have an excellent, balanced structure that clearly explains arguments from both sides.
- You show strong evaluative skill by directly comparing the arguments ("Sarah counters...").
- You accurately identify the key points from both sources.
π How to complete the answer for a top grade
- This is an outstanding start and is on track for a top grade.
- To finish, you need a concluding paragraph that makes a final judgement. You need to explain *why* Sarah's argument about inexperience and influence is more convincing to you than Alex's argument about long-term consequences.
β Strengths (What you have started well)
- You have a clear structure and analyse arguments from both sources.
- You show good evaluation skills by using a point from one source to challenge the other.
- You use quotes effectively to support your points.
π How to complete the answer for a top grade
- You have all the right components, but your argument is a little confused. You say you agree with Writer B, but then you use Writer A's point to prove her wrong. You need to be consistent.
- You are missing a conclusion where you make your final judgement and explain your reasoning.
β Strengths (What you have started well)
- You have a very clear and well-structured answer.
- You analyse arguments from both sources accurately.
- You use quotes effectively as evidence for your points.
π How to complete the answer for a top grade
- You have done a good job of analysing (explaining) the sources. The next step is to evaluate them.
- You need to add a conclusion that weighs the two arguments against each other. Explain *why* Writer B's point about immaturity is more important or convincing than Writer A's point about long-term consequences.
β Strengths (What you have started well)
- You have an excellent, balanced structure that analyses both sides of the argument clearly.
- Your writing is formal, confident, and analytical.
- You show a deep understanding of the key arguments from both sources.
π How to complete the answer for a top grade
- You have produced a perfect foundation for a top-level essay. The only thing missing is the final step.
- You need to add a concluding paragraph where you weigh the two arguments you have analysed against each other and explain *why* Williams's argument about a "gap in experience" is more significant than Chen's argument about a "high level of knowledge".
β Strengths (What you have started well)
- You have a clear, balanced structure and analyse points from both sources.
- You explain the arguments in your own words, showing good understanding.
π How to complete the answer for a top grade
- You have not answered the question. You need to state which writer *you* agree with most. Your answer just summarises the two sides.
- You need to add a conclusion that makes a clear judgement and explains why one argument is more convincing than the other.
Then, use your existing paragraphs to explain the two sides.
Finally, add a conclusion: "In conclusion, although Writer A makes a valid point about long-term consequences, I find Writer B's argument more persuasive. The risk of young people being influenced by unreliable sources on social media is a greater danger to democracy."
β Strengths (What you have started well)
- You have a clear point of view.
- You understand and can explain the main arguments from Writer B.
π How to complete the answer for a top grade
- Your answer is completely one-sided. For a 12-mark question, you MUST analyse the arguments from Writer A as well.
- The answer relies heavily on your own opinions. You need to focus more on explaining what the sources actually say.
β Strengths (What you have started well)
- You have an excellent, balanced structure, analysing arguments from both sources.
- Your analysis is strong and well-supported by examples.
- You show a clear understanding of the key issues in the debate.
π How to complete the answer for a top grade
- You have a fantastic foundation. The only missing ingredient is a concluding paragraph.
- You need to weigh the two arguments against each other and explain why Writer A's points about 'long-term consequences' and 'paying taxes' are more convincing to you than Writer B's points about 'misunderstandings'.
β Strengths (What you have started well)
- You are attempting to engage with both sources.
- You have identified some of the key arguments from the texts.
π How to complete the answer for a top grade
- You have not answered the question. You must decide which writer you agree with most.
- Your answer is mostly a list of points from the text with little explanation or analysis.
- The structure is poor and there is no conclusion.
β Strengths (What you have started well)
- You have a clear point of view and a good structure, analysing both sources.
- You explain the arguments from the text in your own words.
- You understand the key points of the debate.
π How to complete the answer for a top grade
- Your analysis sometimes strays from the source text and includes your own opinions (e.g., about education spending). To get top marks, you must focus on analysing the arguments *in the source*.
- You are missing a conclusion where you weigh the two arguments against each other and explain why A is more convincing.
β Strengths (What you have started well)
- You have a clear point of view and have analysed your preferred source in detail.
- You use quotes from the text effectively.
- You have developed the source's arguments with your own logical reasoning.
π How to complete the answer for a top grade
- Your answer is one-sided. To get a high mark in a 12-mark question, you MUST analyse the arguments from the other source as well.
- You need to add a conclusion that makes a final judgement after considering both sides.
"On the other hand, Writer A presents a strong counter-argument. He claims that since 16-year-olds can pay taxes, they deserve a vote, and that they will have to live with the long-term consequences of decisions. While this is a fair point about justice, it is less convincing than Williams's argument because it overlooks the practical risk that inexperienced voters could make poor decisions, harming the country's future.This shows you can analyse the other side fairly before dismissing it."
β Strengths (What you have started well)
- You are attempting to engage with both sources.
- You have identified some of the key arguments from the texts.
π How to complete the answer for a top grade
- You have not answered the question. You must decide which writer you agree with most.
- Your answer is mostly a list of points from the text with little explanation or analysis.
- The structure is poor and there is no conclusion.
β Strengths (What you have started well)
- You have a clear point of view and analyse your preferred source in detail.
- You use your own knowledge and arguments to both support and challenge the source, which is a high-level skill.
- You are thinking critically and evaluatively.
π How to complete the answer for a top grade
- Your answer is one-sided. To get a top mark, you must also analyse the arguments from the other source (Writer B / Sarah Williams).
- You need to add a conclusion that makes a final judgement after considering both sides.
β Strengths (What you have started well)
- You have a clear point of view and have analysed the arguments of your preferred writer in detail.
- You use your own examples (Greta Thunberg) and reasoning to support your points.
π How to complete the answer for a top grade
- Your answer is one-sided. You MUST analyse the arguments from the other source (Writer A) to get a high mark.
- You need to add a conclusion where you make a final judgement after considering both sides.
β Strengths (What you have started well)
- You have a clear point of view stated in your conclusion.
- Your analysis of Writer B's argument is very clear and well-explained.
π How to complete the answer for a top grade
- You need to state your overall judgement in the introduction, not just the conclusion.
- Your analysis of Writer A is very weak and doesn't seem to be based on the source text. You need to explain his actual arguments (taxes, long-term consequences).
β Strengths (What you have started well)
- You have a clear point of view.
- Your analysis of Writer B's arguments is strong and well-supported with modern examples.
π How to complete the answer for a top grade
- You need to make it clear that your final paragraph is an analysis of Writer A's argument, not just your own opinion.
- Your answer is not fully balanced; your analysis of Writer B is much more detailed.
- You are missing a conclusion where you weigh the two arguments and make a final judgement.
β Strengths (What you have started well)
- You have a clear structure and analyse arguments from both sources.
- You show some good evaluation by challenging the points made by Writer B.
- You understand the key arguments of the debate.
π How to complete the answer for a top grade
- Some of your points are based on your own opinion and generalisations (e.g., "most of them are educated"). Try to base your evaluation more on logic or specific evidence.
- You are missing a conclusion to weigh the two arguments and make a final judgement.
β Strengths (What you have started well)
- You have a clear point of view.
- Your analysis of Sarah Williams's arguments is clear and well-explained.
π How to complete the answer for a top grade
- You have misunderstood and confused the arguments made by Alex Chen.
- Your answer relies heavily on your own opinions rather than analysing what the sources say.
- The structure is poor and there is no conclusion.
β Strengths (What you have started well)
- You have a clear, balanced structure and analyse arguments from both sources.
- Your analysis is detailed and shows you understand the key points of the debate.
- You have started to bring in your own knowledge to support the arguments.
π How to complete the answer for a top grade
- You have a perfect foundation for a top-level essay. The only thing it's missing is a conclusion.
- In your conclusion, you need to weigh the two arguments against each other and explain why Writer A's points are more convincing to you, despite the valid concerns raised by Writer B.
β Strengths (What you have started well)
- You have a clear structure and analyse arguments from both sides.
- You explain the arguments in your own words, showing you understand them well.
- You use your own reasoning to expand on the points made in the sources.
π How to complete the answer for a top grade
- You have analysed the sources well. The next step is to add more direct evaluation.
- You need a conclusion that weighs the two arguments against each other and explains why Writer A's points are more convincing to you. For example, is it more important to give people a voice early, or to ensure they are experienced?
β Strengths (What you have started well)
- You have a clear point of view.
- You have correctly identified some of the key arguments from Writer A.
- You use quotes from the text.
π How to complete the answer for a top grade
- Your answer is one-sided. For a 12-mark question, you MUST analyse the arguments from the other source (Writer B) as well.
- The answer relies heavily on your own opinions rather than explaining the points in the text.
β Strengths (What you have started well)
- You have a clear point of view and analyse arguments from both sources.
- You have started to evaluate the arguments by directly comparing them.
π How to complete the answer for a top grade
- The answer relies too much on your own opinions. You need to focus more on explaining what the writers argue in the text.
- Your sentence structure is sometimes poor, which makes your points unclear.
- You need to add a conclusion that weighs the two arguments and explains your final judgement.
β Strengths (What you have started well)
- You have an excellent, balanced structure that analyses both sides of the argument clearly.
- Your analysis is strong and well-supported by examples from the text.
- Your writing is clear and easy to follow.
π How to complete the answer for a top grade
- You have done a perfect job of analysing the two sources. The only thing missing is the evaluation.
- You need to add a concluding paragraph where you weigh the two arguments against each other. Explain *why* you believe Writer B's concern about "experience" is more important than Writer A's point about the "future".
β Strengths (What you have started well)
- You have a clear point of view.
- Your analysis of Writer B's arguments is clear and well-explained.
π How to complete the answer for a top grade
- Your analysis of Writer A is extremely brief and does not mention any of his key arguments (taxes, long-term consequences). Your answer is therefore very one-sided.
- You are missing a conclusion where you make a final judgement.
β Strengths (What you have started well)
- You have a clear point of view.
- You analyse the arguments from Writer A well.
- You show strong evaluation skills by using a logical counter-argument to challenge Writer B.
π How to complete the answer for a top grade
- Your analysis of Writer B is very brief. You challenge her argument without first explaining what it is. A balanced answer must explain both sides fairly.
- You are missing a conclusion to summarise your final judgement.
β Strengths (What you have started well)
- You have an excellent, balanced structure that analyses both sides of the argument clearly.
- Your writing is formal, confident, and analytical.
- You show a deep understanding of the key arguments from both sources.
π How to complete the answer for a top grade
- This is an outstanding start and is on track for a top grade.
- You just need to add a concluding paragraph that makes a final judgement. You need to explain *why* Writer B's argument about experience and existing participation is more convincing to you than Writer A's argument for a stronger voice.
β Strengths (What you have started well)
- You have a clear point of view.
- You understand the basic point of Writer A.
π How to complete the answer for a top grade
- You have misunderstood the argument made by Writer B. You must read the sources carefully.
- Your answer is mostly your own opinion rather than an analysis of the text.
- The structure is poor and there is no conclusion.
β Strengths (What you have started well)
- You are trying to engage with ideas from both sides of the argument.
π How to complete the answer for a top grade
- Your answer is almost entirely incomprehensible due to very poor spelling, grammar, and sentence structure.
- You do not clearly explain any of the arguments from the source texts.
β Strengths (What you have started well)
- You have a clear point of view.
- Your analysis of Writer B's argument is excellent and very well-developed with your own knowledge.
- You are thinking critically about the issues.
π How to complete the answer for a top grade
- Your answer is one-sided. For a 12-mark question, you MUST analyse the arguments from the other source (Writer A) as well.
- You have slightly misinterpreted the point about school councils.
- You are missing a conclusion.
β Strengths (What you have started well)
- You have an excellent, balanced structure that constantly compares the two arguments.
- Your analysis of the sources is detailed and shows you understand the nuances of the debate.
- You are thinking evaluatively throughout the response.
π How to complete the answer for a top grade
- You have created the perfect foundation for a top-level answer. The only thing missing is a final concluding paragraph.
- Your conclusion needs to weigh the two arguments you have so clearly explained and make a final judgement on which one is more convincing, and why.
β Strengths (What you have started well)
- You have directly answered the first part of the question by choosing a writer.
π How to complete the answer for a top grade
- The answer is extremely brief and does not explain any arguments from either of the sources.
- The writing is very unclear, making it impossible to understand your reasoning.
β Strengths (What you have started well)
- You analyse arguments from both sources and have a clear point of view.
- You use your own examples to explain the points, which shows good understanding.
- You have identified the crucial philosophical point from Coverdale's argument.
π How to complete the answer for a top grade
- You have done a great job analysing both sides. To get into the top marks, you need to add a concluding paragraph.
- In your conclusion, you must weigh the two arguments against each other and explain *why* you find Shemkus's practical arguments about distraction and skills more convincing than Coverdale's philosophical points.