Sample work Commerce Stage 5: Letter - Compulsory Voting

Context

Students have been studying elective topic 6, Political Involvement. This activity flows from the section dealing with ‘participation in the democratic process’. In this topic students have previously learnt about the structure of government, political action and decision-making.

When considering participation in the democratic process, students have investigated the right of citizens to vote and different voting methods. This activity engages students with the basic question of compulsory voting in Australia. It requires the students to effectively communicate their views in a formal means of communication.

Outcomes

A student:
5.2 analyses the rights and responsibilities of individuals in a range of consumer, financial, business, legal and employment contexts 
5.3 examines the role of law in society
5.8 explains commercial and legal information using a variety of forms 

Criteria for assessing learning

You will be assessed on your ability to:

• present a point of view either supporting or opposing compulsory voting
• support the point of view with relevant information about participation in the democratic process
• communicate clearly in the form of a letter to the editor of a newspaper.

Work Sample Assessment 

Robyn 

Robyn has demonstrated sound knowledge and understanding of democratic processes and the issue of compulsory voting. The responsibilities of voters have been explained and the benefits of compulsory voting have been outlined. There is evidence of adequate planning and organisation, and the ideas have been clearly expressed, but the arguments would be strengthened by more specific detail. This work sample demonstrates characteristics of work typically produced by a student performing at grade C standard.

Indra 

Indra has demonstrated basic knowledge and understanding of democratic processes and the issue of compulsory voting. Some rights and responsibilities have been described but the statements are generalised and have not been well substantiated. There is evidence of some planning and organisation, but the response would be strengthened by more specific detail. This work sample demonstrates characteristics of work typically produced by a student performing at grade D standard.

Dale 

Dale has demonstrated elementary knowledge and understanding of democratic processes and the issue of compulsory voting. A clear point of view opposing compulsory voting in a democratic society has been expressed but there is no elaboration on this idea. The response is brief and shows a very limited level of competence in planning and communicating in written form. The inclusion of more specific detail would strengthen this response. This work sample demonstrates characteristics of work typically produced by a student performing at grade E standard.