Evaluation — Do You Agree?
Analyse and evaluate how language features are used to represent a perspective of an issue, event, situation, individual or group.
You are asked whether you agree with the writer. There is no correct opinion. Every mark is in how you defend the one you pick.
Builds onYr 8 · Using Evidence and Quotations
Method
State your position first
Open with Yes, because…, No, because… or Partly, because… The marker should never have to hunt for your view.
The opinion is worth about one mark
Everything else is substantiation. A strong opinion with no evidence scores one out of three.
‘Partly’ is allowed, sitting on the fence is not
If you argue both ways, you must give evidence for both ways. ‘There are good points on each side’ earns nothing.
Pick the side with the most evidence
Not the side you think the marker wants. Markers are told to credit any position that is defended.
Worked example
e.g. The writer suggests the town has been abandoned by everyone but the old. Do you agree? Substantiate. (3)
- Scan the passage for evidence on both sides before choosing.Whichever side has more usable detail is the side to argue.
- State your position in your first few words.“Yes, because…”
- Give your first piece of evidence. Quote it or refer to it closely.The school “closed in the second year” and was never reopened.
- Explain why that evidence supports your position.A school closes when there are no children, so families must have left.
- Add a second piece of evidence and explain that too.The only businesses still named are a chemist and a funeral parlour.
- Check the marks. One for the position, the rest for substantiation.Position + two explained references = 3.
Practice
Plan each answer as position, evidence, explanation. Then compare with the model.
1
‘The narrator is too hard on her father.’ Do you agree? (3) — how should your answer open?
AnswerWith your position: No, she is not too hard on him, because… Never open by retelling the passage.
2
A learner writes three lines of strong personal opinion and quotes nothing. Mark out of 3?
AnswerOne at most. The position is clear but unsupported, and two of the three marks live in the support.
3
You genuinely see both sides. What must your answer contain to score full marks?
AnswerA clear statement that you are arguing partly, then evidence and explanation for each side. Two supported halves, not two unsupported opinions.
4
What is the difference between the writer being sympathetic and the writer being biased?
AnswerSympathy shows in tone and word choice. Bias means leaving out what would weaken the case. A writer who volunteers the damaging facts is sympathetic, not biased — and saying so is a strong answer.