SQA Marking Criteria (for top grade,15-13 marks) – Higher Personal Writing
   Content
   • Strong attention to purpose and audience.
   • Ideas/feelings/experiences which are explored with a strong degree of 
    mature reflection/self-awareness/ involvement/ insight/ sensitivity. 
   • Strong sense of the writer’s personality and individuality.
   Style
   • Linguistic features of the chosen genre used skilfully to create strong 
    impact  
   • Confident and varied expression  
   • Effective structure which enhances the purpose/meaning
     SQA Higher Marking Criteria – Technical Accuracy (both genres)
   • Consistent technical accuracy is a requirement for the piece to meet 
    the minimum requirements for the 9–7 band.  
   • This means few errors will be present: paragraphs, sentences and 
    punctuation will be mostly accurate and organised so that the writing 
    can be clearly and readily understood; and spelling errors 
    (particularly of high frequency words) will be infrequent.
         Stimuli for Personal Writing
    • Read quality examples of autobiography.
    • Read magazine articles that feature autobiography.
    • Use family photographs to stimulate memories about family 
     memories and important family members.
    • Use family objects/ inherited items as a stimulus for conversation.
    • Think about food as a trigger to memory – food that sums up your 
     family, a person, an important occasion.
    • Place – what places are important to your family and why? Holiday 
     locations, regular haunts, grandparents’ homes.
        Features of Effective Personal 
                   Writing
    • Uses the first person voice effectively – the writer ‘talks’ on the page. 
     Use of contractions, slang, informal expressions, humour helps convey 
     personality. Avoid being too formal and stilted.
    • Is able to describe events in detail, using the five senses, varied 
     vocabulary and imagery yet AVOIDS CLICHÉ (no butterflies in 
     stomach).
    • Conveys inner thoughts and emotions.
    • Reflects on what effect events have had on them – how have they 
     changed?
       Reflection – what do we learn from 
       experiences?
       • Wiser                             • More/less self-conscious
       • More/less cautious                • Friendlier – open to new 
       • More/less confident                relationships
       • Value what we have                • More/less trusting
       • Less selfish                      • Sadder/happier
       • More/less  tolerant               • More determined
       • More responsible                  • Resilient
                                           • Mature