Your Guide to Spelling, Punctuation and Grammar in Edexcel GCSE Religious Studies

Spel

ling,

Punctuation and Gram

marSPaG

Why has SPaG been introduced?In 2011, the Department for Education announced that SPaG would be introduced into the assessment of four GCSE qualifications: English Literature, History, Geography and Religious Studies. In each of these qualifications 5% of the total marks must be allocated to the assessment of candidates’ spelling, punctuation and grammar.

Therefore for GCSE Religious Studies, with 80 marks for a short course and 160 for a full course, 5% of the total is 4 marks per paper for SPaG.

How has SPaG been applied?In Edexcel’s GCSE Religious Studies, SPaG marks will be assessed across all units in the same way. These marks will be awarded on the first section of the exam paper, on either question 1 or 2 (depending on which question the candidate answers). The SPaG marks will be assessed across the whole of this question i.e. parts (a), (b), (c) and (d).

The SPaG marks have been added to Section 1 as this is a technically challenging section requiring the use of extensive technical vocabulary and gives candidates an opportunity to demonstrate their writing skills.

There are now 84 raw marks in total for the paper. Of the 84 raw marks available, up to 4 raw marks will be awarded for SPaG.

The allocation of SPaG marks in Section 1 is as follows:

l Question 1: parts (a), (b), (c) and (d) – 4 marks

orl Question 2:

parts (a), (b), (c) and (d) – 4 marks

Marks for Quality of Written Communication (QWC) remain unchanged throughout the GCSE Religious Studies qualification.

When is the first assessment of SPaG?SPaG will first be assessed in GCSE Religious Studies in June 2013. Exemplar questions and mark schemes are available in this guide and further materials will be added on the website www.edexcel.com/gcse2012rs over time.

How will SPaG be made clear on the exam paper?There will be an instruction for candidates before any question that has SPaG marks available stating that spelling, punctuation and grammar will be assessed in that question. Beneath the question we will indicate how many marks are available for SPaG for that question. There are examples of how questions will be presented on page 3–5 of this guide.

Spelling, Punctuation and Grammar (SPaG) in GCSE Religious Studies

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Sample questions and mark schemes

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The following exemplars show a sample front page of an exam paper with SPaG instructions, sample exam questions with SPaG and a sample SPaG mark scheme.

Sample exam paper front page with SPaG instructions

Edexcel GCSE

You do not need any other materials.

Centre Number Candidate Number

Write your name hereSurname Other names

Total Marks

Paper Reference

Turn over

Religious StudiesUnit 1: Religion and Life Based on a Study of Christianity and at Least One Other Religion

5RS01/01Sample Assessment MaterialTime: 1 hour 30 minutes

Instructions

• Use black ink or ball-point pen.

• Fill in the boxes at the top of this page with your name, centre number and candidate number.

• Answer ONE question from each of the four sections.

• Answer the questions in the spaces provided – there may be more space than you need.

Information

• The total mark for this paper is 84.

• The marks for each question are shown in brackets – use this as a guide as to how much time to spend on each question.

• Questions labelled with an asterisk (*) are ones where the quality of your written communication will be assessed – you should take particular care with your clarity of expression, on these questions.

• Questions in Section 1 are where your spelling, punctuation and grammar will be assessed. The total mark for spelling, punctuation and grammar will be 4.

Advice

• Read each question carefully before you start to answer it.

• Keep an eye on the time.

• Check your answers if you have time at the end.

W41912A©2012 Pearson Education Ltd.

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*w41912A0120*

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Sample exam question with SPaG assessment

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SECTION 1 – BELIEVING IN GOD

You must answer ONE question from this section.

YOU WILL BE ASSESSED ON YOUR SPELLING, PUNCTUATION AND GRAMMAR IN THIS SECTION.

EITHER

1 (a) What is atheism?(2)

(b) Do you think prayer is a waste of time? Give two reasons for your point of view.

(4)

* (c) Explain how a religious upbringing can lead to belief in God.(8)

(d) “Evil and suffering prove that God does not exist.”

In your answer you should refer to at least one religion.

(i) Do you agree? Give reasons for your opinion.(3)

(ii) Give reasons why some people may disagree with you.(3)

(Total for spelling, punctuation and grammar = 4 marks)(Total for Question 1 = 24 marks)

OR

2 (a) What is meant by numinous?(2)

(b) Do you think God is the cause of the universe? Give two reasons for your point of view.

(4)

* (c) Choose one religion and explain how its followers respond to the problem of evil and suffering.

(8)

(d) “Religious programmes on television or the radio, or films, encourage you to believe in God.”

In your answer you should refer to at least one religion.

(i) Do you agree? Give reasons for your opinion. (3)

(ii) Give reasons why some people may disagree with you.(3)

(Total for spelling, punctuation and grammar = 4 marks) (Total for Question 2 = 24 marks)

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Sample exam question with SPaG assessment

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SECTION 1 – RELIGION: RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

You must answer ONE question from this section.

YOU WILL BE ASSESSED ON YOUR SPELLING, PUNCTUATION AND GRAMMAR IN THIS SECTION.

EITHER

1 (a) What is the Golden Rule?(2)

(b) Do you think human rights need more protection in the United Kingdom? Give two reasons for your point of view.

(4)

* (c) Explain how Christians make moral decisions.(8)

(d) “Christians should agree with cloning.”

In your answer you should refer to Christianity.

(i) Do you agree? Give reasons for your opinion. (3)

(ii) Give reasons why some people may disagree with you.(3)

(Total for spelling, punctuation and grammar = 4 marks)(Total for Question 1 = 24 marks)

OR

2 (a) What is the Decalogue?(2)

(b) Do you think it is important to take part in democratic processes? Give two reasons for your point of view.

(4)

* (c) Explain why some Christians agree with genetic engineering and some do not.(8)

(d) “Christians should always follow their conscience.”

In your answer you should refer to Christianity.

(i) Do you agree? Give reasons for your opinion. (3)

(ii) Give reasons why some people may disagree with you.(3)

(Total for spelling, punctuation and grammar = 4 marks)(Total for Question 2 = 24 marks)

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Sample mark scheme for SPaG

Section 1, Questions 1 and 2, parts (a), (b), (c) and (d)

0 marksErrors severely hinder the meaning of the response or candidates do not spell, punctuate or use the rules of grammar within the con-text of the demands of the question.

Threshold performance

Level 1 1 mark

Candidates spell, punctuate and use the rules of grammar with reasonable accuracy in the context of the demands of the question. Any errors do not hinder meaning in the response. Where required, they use a limited range of specialist terms appropriately.

Intermediate performance

Level 2 2-3

marks

Candidates spell, punctuate and use the rules of grammar with con-siderable accuracy and general control of meaning in the context of the demands of the question. Where required, they use a good range of specialist terms with facility.

High performance Level 3 4 marks

Candidates spell, punctuate and use the rules of grammar with consistent accuracy and effective control of meaning in the context of the demands of the question. Where required, they use a wide range of specialist terms adeptly and with precision.

Our support We want to ensure that you have all the information and support you need to plan and deliver SPaG for GCSE Religious Studies. Further copies of this guide are available to download at www.edexcel.com/gcse2012rs. Please do not hesitate to contact our GCSE helpline on 0844 576 0027, should you have any questions.

Teachers and candidates should note that SPaG is essentially made up of two strands:

a) Spell, punctuate and use the rules of grammar

It is likely that many schools will have whole-school policies on literacy and on the marking of students’ work for SPaG. Students’ levels of ability in SPaG are likely to vary significantly from school to school and some teachers may also find that EMAS and SEN staff have resources and strategies to help certain students.

One aspect of grammar that examiners often comment on is the frequent use of ‘would of’ and ‘should of’. There are also occasional scripts with use of text messaging language and students should be made aware of the need to use formal language in examinations.

Where appropriate, SPaG forms a useful focus for starter or plenary sessions in lessons. Across all units there are key words; some focus on commonly used words will benefit the assessment of some students’ spelling. Straightforward activities for students with less-developed literacy could also include the use of anagrams, word puzzles or the deliberate misspelling of words, which the student then corrects.

b) Specialist vocabulary

There are key words for each of the examination units so teachers might like to draw up a glossary of key terms for students. Where appropriate, this could form a useful focus for starter or plenary sessions in lessons. One straightforward activity could involve students orally explaining key vocabulary without using the term, whilst other students have to correctly write down the word.

Teachers and students should also note that using specialist vocabulary often saves candidates valuable time during the examination as well as demonstrating religious understanding.

Note: Teachers and students should note that it is entirely possible that some candidates may achieve a Level 4 mark for their main response, yet only achieve Level 1 or below for SPaG. Similarly, a candidate marked at Level 1 for their main response could still gain full marks for SPaG.

Teaching and learning advice

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why has the DfE decided that spelling, punctuation and grammar (SPaG) are only to be assessed in English Literature, History, Geography and Religious Studies?

These four subjects have large entries and contain questions that require extended answers. This enables a learner to be assessed on these skills without the assessment of these skills overshadowing their subject knowledge.

How will SPaG be implemented for GCSEs in English Literature, History, Geography and Religious Studies?

The awarding of additional marks for SPaG will affect some externally assessed units taken from January 2013 for English Literature, History and Geography, and from June 2013 for Religious Studies. The additional marks for SPaG will be worth 5% of the total marks for the qualification.

How will question papers indicate to candidates which questions will involve the assessment of accurate SPaG?

There will be instructions above the relevant questions on the papers indicating to students that their spelling, punctuation and grammar will be assessed in that question. They will also be able to see the number of marks available for SPaG for that question.

The assessment of SPaG will be indicated on the front cover of the exam paper, as a rubric at the top of Section 1 and in the question itself. The number of marks available for SPaG will be indicated both on the front cover and in the question itself.

Why is a weighting of 5% for SPaG considered appropriate?

A weighting of 5% is considered appropriate as it signifies the importance of these skills but does not assign them so much value that they overshadow subject knowledge.

Will QWC continue to be assessed in GCSE Religious Studies?

Yes, the assessment of QWC (Quality of Written Communication) in the GCSE Religious Studies qualification remains unchanged.

Will the new requirements for SPaG apply to candidates with special educational needs, dyslexia, or disabilities such as a visual or hearing impairment?

The new requirements will apply to all candidates. Access Arrangements to allow such candidates appropriate opportunities to demonstrate their abilities are administered by the Joint Council for Qualifications.

Further details can be obtained from the JCQ website: www.jcq.org.uk

Will there be any specific accommodation arrangements put in place for EAL learners in relation to SPaG requirements?

No. Learners who speak English as an Additional Language will not be offered additional accommodation arrangements beyond those administered by the Joint Council for Qualifications.

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