The Brainstormer

Assessment Type

Primary Purpose

Main Focus

Structure Overview

Use of Sources

Style Notes

Topical Essay or Critical Reflection

Evaluate a topic by comparing scholarly views and forming a reasoned opinion.

Critical analysis of a topic using a range of scholarly sources.

Introduction (state argument and overview) → Description (brief background) → Argument (evaluate viewpoints) → Application (if required) → Conclusion (restate position).

Extensive use of multiple scholarly sources to compare and contrast arguments.

Prioritise clarity and conciseness. Avoid unsupported claims. Argument-driven.

Exegetical Essay

Provide a detailed interpretation of a biblical text using scholarly tools and methods.

Close reading and interpretation of Scripture, verse by verse or in logical groups.

Introduction (main themes of the text) → Setting/Context (historical, literary) → Exegesis (verse/group analysis) → Application (if required) → Conclusion (summarise interpretation).

Strong focus on scholarly debate over word meanings, grammar, themes. May include Hebrew/Greek studies.

Academic tone. Unity across verses is essential—avoid verse-by-verse isolation.

Book or Movie Review
(Critical or Content)

Evaluate content or arguments of a book or film, including your personal and academic response.

Author's arguments, themes, literary devices, worldview.

Introduction (title, purpose, brief opinion) → Description (summary of content) → Response (evaluation of effect and significance) → Conclusion (summary and final reflection).

For critical reviews: includes other sources to evaluate the author’s stance. Content reviews are mainly descriptive.

Can be more personal in tone (especially for content reviews). Must remain critical and academically grounded.

Annotated Bibliography

To provide a summary and evaluation of different readings

The focus is on summary, evaluation, and application. 

Generally one paragraph per reading

Each annotation will only give focus to the specific reading. Appropriate Reference will be noted at the beginning of the annotation

Alphabetical order by the Author's last name. Citation is a Hanging Indent. Each annotation is guided by the CADO instructions

Transcript

To provide a detailed, written record of an interaction with a person that allows for critical analysis, reflection, and evaluation of the skills being assessed

Demonstrating counselling skills, allowing self-reflection,  ethical and professional development

Brief Summary, identified key issues and possible plans going forward

Transcript is in a table, with the transcript, skills analysis and Counsellor process

In the reflection, appropriate literary sources are to be engaged with

A tabled template is provided where the detailed transcript is recorded, counselling skills are noted, learning edges and "noticings" are noted, and supervisor's feedback is recorded. The reflection is in standard paragraph form 

Literature Review

To examine relevant and current research for a specific inquiry or subject area to show a good understanding of the area of research

To provide foundation for research

It synthesizes and analyses sources

It gives overview and critique of the literature reviewed

A literature review is presented as a continuous, essay-style narrative where it analyses multiple sources to build an argument

Contrasting literature may be used

Essay style with introduction, body, and conclusion

Lesson Plan

To provide a strategic plan to support teachers in delivering effective, goal-oriented lessons while meeting student needs and maintaining alignment with the NZ curriculum and  current educational approaches

Clarifying learning objectives

Providing structured outline of teaching methods, learning experiences, resources, and assessment methods

Supporting differentiation and cultural inclusivity

A template is provided, which covers curriculum foundations, learning intentions, teaching and learning sequence, resources, and assessment outline.

Should draw directly on the NZ curriculum.

Draw on resource banks from NZ, use online sources, and cite these.

Write in a third-person instructional tone. Use bullet points and headings rather than writing in paragraphs. Provide hyperlinks to resources

Analyse Take to pieces and determine what makes up the various parts. Examine minutely and critically.

Compare Liken one thing to another, and discuss the degree of likeness and unlikeness.

Contrast Set things in opposition so as to show the difference between them, including the degree of difference, if any.

N.B. Many assessments ask to ‘compare and contrast’ but if you are only asked to compare, this means to contrast as well (and vice versa).

Critique Weigh up all aspects by careful examination, and deliver an opinion on it.

Define Give the exact meaning.

Describe Set out the features, qualities, or properties of what is asked, in detail. In some subjects diagrams as well as words are required.

Discuss Consider or examine by argument; investigate for and against.

Enumerate Specify the items by numbering the points.

Evaluate Interpret, analyse (take apart the whole), then synthesise (put together) the significant points and make a judgement upon them.

Examine Inquire into, investigate by considering critically, thereby weighing and sifting information/opinions.

Explain Make plain, clear; expound and illustrate the meaning of, and account for.

Illustrate Make clear, explain by means of description and example.

Interpret Explain the meaning of - which generally involves translating information from one form to another thereby showing a complete understanding of it.

Justify Prove or show to be just or right; to show grounds for.

List Number the items or ideas down the page.

Outline Give the main general features, facts or principles.

Prove Demonstrate by argument or reasoning, test.

Relate Tell, recount; establish relation between.

Resolve Separate into its component parts (analyse) and explain

Review Go back over and look carefully and critically.

State Set out the facts with explicitness and formality.

Summarise Give a concise account of the main points.

Trace Follow the course or track of events.[1]