Working at M Level

1. Working at M Level Neil Denby

2. Typical M level marking criteria

3. To reach these you must… • Read • Write • Reflect

4. Reading • Don’t just read the key articles, journals, chapters or books given at the end of each chapter; read more widely and be able to demonstrate this. Look for writers agreeing with each other but, equally, for those who dissent. Form your own opinions, rather than accepting what is written. • Reading with ‘criticality’ means thinking about the context of the writing, and, at Masters level, making your own, evidence backed points to either agree or disagree with ‘authorities’.

5. Writing • You must write clearly and coherently. Avoid tangled constructions, clichéd phrases and pompous verbosity. • Don’t coin phrases or use neologisms or slang. Aim for clarity. • Remember that reading is part of writing – read your work back!

6. Spellchecks • A word of warning. Spelling checkers do not check sense. The machine finds no errors in this short poem on the power of the homonym!

7. I right this inn true confidence I quay it inn sum stile I no its perfect count tenants I cheque it all the wile. I rote on my computer Sew much beta than a pen That reel old fashioned manor That wee used weigh back wen My quay bored is sew magic It sell dumb makes miss takes Under any stuff that is knot rite A Wrigleymarque it makes. My grammar’s neckstwo perfect Butt it seas all off my floors (It’s a shame it does knot recognise The comma oar sub-claws) I all ways do the spell cheque Thyme on a cents cheque is a sin Wen all that it mite ever fined Is a humble homonym Homage to the homonym

8. Scholarship • You must demonstrate scholarship – a real grasp of your subject matter – and be able to analyse, synthesise and evaluate. • Analyse by sifting and comparing evidence and opinion. • Synthesise by drawing together different strands, writers and arguments to present a coherent whole. • Evaluate by making judgements and being able to support them

9. Reflection Also part of scholarship: • Think about your own practice, and how you could make improvements to it. Don’t dwell on the negative, but build on the positive. Consider what you can learn, adapt and implement from theory.

10. Exercise • Consider the Master’s Level Criteria for a specific assignment .How do you think each of these could be demonstrated in a very good submission? • Demonstration of addressing the title, the aims of the assignment and learning outcomes. • A range of depth in the use of literature and materials. • Critical analysis: breakdown and examination of issues and the inherent relationships between parts. • The application of conceptual ideas and theory to professional practice. • The evaluation of theory and research in the context of professional practice. • The enunciation, development and support of a case or argument. • The organisation and control over complex material. • The presentation of ideas, information and material in a clear and coherent manner using the Harvard referencing system.

11. Answer A ‘very good’ pass will have the following characteristics: • The assignment title and aims are thoroughly addressed in a detailed and well balanced fashion. • Knowledge of subject matter is free from errors and confusions and is applied to professional practice with confidence and insight. • Issues are critically analysed through skilled synthesis of relevant literature and professional experience. • The line of argument is well developed, evaluative and consistently supported by reference sources. • The writer has identified the implications and relevance of present knowledge and experience to future practice. • There is evidence of flair and originality of thought throughout.