report2011_writing


 * VCAA 2011 Assessment** **Report**


 * Section 3 – Writing in Italian**

Criteria: - relevance, depth and breadth of content - appropriateness of structure and sequence - accuracy, range and appropriateness of vocabulary and grammar.

The 15 marks for this section were divided in the following way: - five marks for content (depth and breadth) - five marks for structure and sequence (correct text type, register and cohesive devices) - five marks for the accuracy of the language, including range and sophistication of vocabulary and grammar and correct spelling.

This year the most popular writing task was Question 8, while the least popular question was Question 9.

In order to achieve very high marks for the first criterion, the writing needed to effectively cover the content of the task and the ideas had to be elaborated upon. In 2011, many students made an attempt at writing for the task; however, their responses often lacked the required depth and breadth. Only 10 per cent of students competently covered this aspect of the writing task. The majority of students lacked the ability to develop their responses with a range of ideas and this affected the overall quality of their writing. Some did not analyse the question correctly and wrote most of their response off topic.

The structure of the finished piece of writing must be appropriate to the text type, with effectively sequenced and linked sentences and paragraphs. When planning their response, students should have paid attention to the selection of appropriate grammatical structures and vocabulary (including some more complex tenses) and the purpose of the task. Students needed to ensure their spelling was accurate by making effective use of the dictionary.

It was disappointing to note that the majority of students scored poorly for the criterion relating to accuracy, range and appropriateness of vocabulary and grammar. It is imperative that students have an understanding of the linguistic requirements of this examination and that they master the relevant grammatical structures as stipulated in the VCE Italian Study Design.

Below are some extracts from well-written tasks that highlight excellent use of language.

//Benvenuti a tutti, oggi vi parlerò di un argomento che mi sta molto a cuore: lo sport. Proverò a mettere in luce i vantaggi di fare qualche sport.//

//In primo luogo, lo sport ci aiuta a tenersi in forma. Per me questo è stato molto importante perchè a dire la verità...//

//Una tenue luce è apparsa in lontananza, mi sono alzato dalla mia posizione vicino al fiume, velocemente ho corso verso uno degli alberi che si trovavano sul monte...//

//Chi è mai rimasto indeciso tra un appartamento al piano due e uno al piano nove? La scelta è semplice se siete tra quelli che soffrono di vertigini: piano due grazie. Se no, lasciate che vi racconti la mia esperienza come abitante di un appartamento al piano nove di un alto edificio nel cuore della città di Bologna.//

//Beh, innanzitutto, c’è una vista meravigliosa: la finestra della mia cucina da sul centro storico della città...//

//...Per concludere quindi consiglio calorosamente a tutti un appartamento ai piani superiori: bella vista, luce, calore, protezione da eventuali ladri sono solo alcuni delle ragioni.//