Business studies report
Table of contents
Business studies report...................................................................................................................................................1
Meaning that:..................................................................................................................................................................4
A: format marks are given for the following: .............................................................................................................4
B: language marks are given as follows: ....................................................................................................................4
C: facts ........................................................................................................................................................................4
D: substantiation ........................................................................................................................................................5
E: application ..............................................................................................................................................................5
F: problem solving ......................................................................................................................................................5
G: synthesis ................................................................................................................................................................6
STRUCTURE OF REPORT..............................................................................................................................................8
Business report example...........................................................................................................................................10
Memorandum:......................................................................................................................................................12
1
,Exam number:_____________________________________
Lower orderthinking rubric (60% weighting) - lot Question 1 Question 2
Criteria 0 1 2
Format Not meeting Partially Correct format
the correct correct format
standard
0 1 2 3
Terminology No use of Isolated/limited Good use of Outstanding
business use of business business use of business
terminology terminology terminology terminology
Content Maximum 50 facts. Divide by2 to get mark out of 25. Marks are inter alia given for
(number of mentioning the fact, explanations of facts or statements, relevant examples; expansion of
relevant acronyms. Note: listed facts that are not explained = max 4marks (8 facts)
facts)
Higher order thinking rubric (40% weighting) - hot Question Question
If all sections have not been completed, the judgment is based on the amount of expected information. E.g. A candidate substantiating one section well, but 1 2
not answering the other cannot qualify for a 'majority of statements' mark.
Criteria 0 1 2 3 4
Substantiatio No attempt at Very limited Less than half of the The majority of the The majority of the statements
n substantiation. substantiation. statements are statements are are thoroughly substantiated
(justification substantiated. substantiated. showing breadth and/or depth
for statements of understanding.
made)
0 1 2 3 4
Application to Superficial reference Continuous Continuous reference is Examples are relevant Examples are relevant to the
context based on the case reference is made to made to the case study/ to the case case study/ context given and
study/context given. the case study/ context given with several study/context given fully integrated into the
(just keep mentioning context given with examples that are fully and fully integrated response showing
the name of the some applicable integrated into the answer. into the response understanding of the issues at
business repeatedly examples given. showing understanding hand. Current affairs are fully
without relevant of the issues at hand. integrated into the response.
examples). Reference is made to
current affairs.
0 1 2 3 4 5 6
Creative No Identification Identification of Good insight and Good insight and Good insight and Good insight and
problem-solving understanding of the problem the problem with understanding of understanding of understanding of understanding of the
of the and an breadth but no half the problem the majority of the holistic holistic problem
problem and incorrect/poor depth with solutions the problem(s) problem with with solutions
no solution solution (superficial). offered showing with solutions solutions offered offered which are
given. suggested. depth of offered showing which are fully fully discussed,
understanding or depth of discussed, showing breadth
less than half in understanding or showing and depth of
breadth and half in breadth understanding on understanding.
2
, depth. and depth. all aspects or the
majority in
breadth and
depth.
Synthesis None of the At least one of Any two of the Any three of the Any four of the Any five of the All six of the
criteria as the criteria criteria fulfilled. criteria fulfilled. criteria fulfilled. criteria fulfilled. criteria are
listed below fulfilled. fulfilled.
are met.
1 introduction – did not just re-write question, but shows an understanding of the 'link' between the topics
2 conclusion – this should be a logical affirmation of the points raised
3 flow of thought, i.e. Paragraphs leading into one another
4 integration of topics given in the question
5 integration of question with other business related topics to enhance the quality of the answer
6 arguments are developed
3
, Question 1 Lot /30 Hot /20 Total /50 Paper 2 total
Question 2 Lot /30 Hot /20 Total /50 /100
Meaning that:
A: format marks are given for the following :
0 marks 0 or 1 of the following five items
1 mark 2 or 3 of the following five items
2 marks 4 or 5 of the following five items
To:
Topic:
Date:
Subheadings
Compiled by:
B: language marks are given as follows:
0 marks No business terminology is present in the paper at all or all of it is wrong
1 mark The occasional term is mentioned but the meaning is vague or the application is
wrong
2 marks The report has the correct use of business terminology
3 marks The report uses terms outside of the scope of what was asked and the terms are
correct in all instances
C: facts
You need to write 50 facts to score full marks.
These are divided by two to get a mark out of 25. Factual marks are given for:
A definition of who, why, when, etc
A description of terminology in your own words
An example of where the definition/description may apply (it has to be realistic and
related to the context of the question)
Termenolegy
5 defined terms and must provide value to the report (can you from section A of the paper)
Content
50 facts
State max 8
4
, D: substanti ati on
A maximum of four marks are achievable here.
The rule is simple: always answer the imagined question “why?”
Substantiations are easiest to put into you essay by using the word “because”. This should
show up in every paragraph and with every new point. A substantiation shows that you know
what you are talking about and what the consequence of any particular behaviour is. Is also
shows that you understand why we use certain tools to conduct better business.
Provide maximum 2 examples for each point .
E: applicati on
A maximum of four marks are achievable here.
Each mark has a certain importance, so all of the below points need to be very clear in your
essay.
Application to the case study (mention the business name and make sure that the
examples you give cannot be applied generically to any business, but only to the one in the
question in particular)
Application to the source given in the question. This mark is awarded twice, as most
essay questions include two or more sources. Show that you know how the source fits into
the question and what meaning it adds to your interpretation. Do this for two sources (or
more) in order to score these two marks.
Current affairs. It is important for you to research things like the current unemployment
rate, the inflation rate etc, as well as any news item that relates directly to the topic you are
currently studying. This mark is awarded if the student can relate the given question to the
event that is current in the news in a clear and cohesive manner. No generic references can
be made, nor will the student get the mark if the business name could be substituted by any
other business.
F: problem solving
A maximum of six marks are achievable here.
Students must try to come up with solutions to the problems (two marks) presented in the
question. This must happen throughout the essay, not just once.
This can be done by making sure that you use phrases like:
I suggest…
The business should/must…
5
Table of contents
Business studies report...................................................................................................................................................1
Meaning that:..................................................................................................................................................................4
A: format marks are given for the following: .............................................................................................................4
B: language marks are given as follows: ....................................................................................................................4
C: facts ........................................................................................................................................................................4
D: substantiation ........................................................................................................................................................5
E: application ..............................................................................................................................................................5
F: problem solving ......................................................................................................................................................5
G: synthesis ................................................................................................................................................................6
STRUCTURE OF REPORT..............................................................................................................................................8
Business report example...........................................................................................................................................10
Memorandum:......................................................................................................................................................12
1
,Exam number:_____________________________________
Lower orderthinking rubric (60% weighting) - lot Question 1 Question 2
Criteria 0 1 2
Format Not meeting Partially Correct format
the correct correct format
standard
0 1 2 3
Terminology No use of Isolated/limited Good use of Outstanding
business use of business business use of business
terminology terminology terminology terminology
Content Maximum 50 facts. Divide by2 to get mark out of 25. Marks are inter alia given for
(number of mentioning the fact, explanations of facts or statements, relevant examples; expansion of
relevant acronyms. Note: listed facts that are not explained = max 4marks (8 facts)
facts)
Higher order thinking rubric (40% weighting) - hot Question Question
If all sections have not been completed, the judgment is based on the amount of expected information. E.g. A candidate substantiating one section well, but 1 2
not answering the other cannot qualify for a 'majority of statements' mark.
Criteria 0 1 2 3 4
Substantiatio No attempt at Very limited Less than half of the The majority of the The majority of the statements
n substantiation. substantiation. statements are statements are are thoroughly substantiated
(justification substantiated. substantiated. showing breadth and/or depth
for statements of understanding.
made)
0 1 2 3 4
Application to Superficial reference Continuous Continuous reference is Examples are relevant Examples are relevant to the
context based on the case reference is made to made to the case study/ to the case case study/ context given and
study/context given. the case study/ context given with several study/context given fully integrated into the
(just keep mentioning context given with examples that are fully and fully integrated response showing
the name of the some applicable integrated into the answer. into the response understanding of the issues at
business repeatedly examples given. showing understanding hand. Current affairs are fully
without relevant of the issues at hand. integrated into the response.
examples). Reference is made to
current affairs.
0 1 2 3 4 5 6
Creative No Identification Identification of Good insight and Good insight and Good insight and Good insight and
problem-solving understanding of the problem the problem with understanding of understanding of understanding of understanding of the
of the and an breadth but no half the problem the majority of the holistic holistic problem
problem and incorrect/poor depth with solutions the problem(s) problem with with solutions
no solution solution (superficial). offered showing with solutions solutions offered offered which are
given. suggested. depth of offered showing which are fully fully discussed,
understanding or depth of discussed, showing breadth
less than half in understanding or showing and depth of
breadth and half in breadth understanding on understanding.
2
, depth. and depth. all aspects or the
majority in
breadth and
depth.
Synthesis None of the At least one of Any two of the Any three of the Any four of the Any five of the All six of the
criteria as the criteria criteria fulfilled. criteria fulfilled. criteria fulfilled. criteria fulfilled. criteria are
listed below fulfilled. fulfilled.
are met.
1 introduction – did not just re-write question, but shows an understanding of the 'link' between the topics
2 conclusion – this should be a logical affirmation of the points raised
3 flow of thought, i.e. Paragraphs leading into one another
4 integration of topics given in the question
5 integration of question with other business related topics to enhance the quality of the answer
6 arguments are developed
3
, Question 1 Lot /30 Hot /20 Total /50 Paper 2 total
Question 2 Lot /30 Hot /20 Total /50 /100
Meaning that:
A: format marks are given for the following :
0 marks 0 or 1 of the following five items
1 mark 2 or 3 of the following five items
2 marks 4 or 5 of the following five items
To:
Topic:
Date:
Subheadings
Compiled by:
B: language marks are given as follows:
0 marks No business terminology is present in the paper at all or all of it is wrong
1 mark The occasional term is mentioned but the meaning is vague or the application is
wrong
2 marks The report has the correct use of business terminology
3 marks The report uses terms outside of the scope of what was asked and the terms are
correct in all instances
C: facts
You need to write 50 facts to score full marks.
These are divided by two to get a mark out of 25. Factual marks are given for:
A definition of who, why, when, etc
A description of terminology in your own words
An example of where the definition/description may apply (it has to be realistic and
related to the context of the question)
Termenolegy
5 defined terms and must provide value to the report (can you from section A of the paper)
Content
50 facts
State max 8
4
, D: substanti ati on
A maximum of four marks are achievable here.
The rule is simple: always answer the imagined question “why?”
Substantiations are easiest to put into you essay by using the word “because”. This should
show up in every paragraph and with every new point. A substantiation shows that you know
what you are talking about and what the consequence of any particular behaviour is. Is also
shows that you understand why we use certain tools to conduct better business.
Provide maximum 2 examples for each point .
E: applicati on
A maximum of four marks are achievable here.
Each mark has a certain importance, so all of the below points need to be very clear in your
essay.
Application to the case study (mention the business name and make sure that the
examples you give cannot be applied generically to any business, but only to the one in the
question in particular)
Application to the source given in the question. This mark is awarded twice, as most
essay questions include two or more sources. Show that you know how the source fits into
the question and what meaning it adds to your interpretation. Do this for two sources (or
more) in order to score these two marks.
Current affairs. It is important for you to research things like the current unemployment
rate, the inflation rate etc, as well as any news item that relates directly to the topic you are
currently studying. This mark is awarded if the student can relate the given question to the
event that is current in the news in a clear and cohesive manner. No generic references can
be made, nor will the student get the mark if the business name could be substituted by any
other business.
F: problem solving
A maximum of six marks are achievable here.
Students must try to come up with solutions to the problems (two marks) presented in the
question. This must happen throughout the essay, not just once.
This can be done by making sure that you use phrases like:
I suggest…
The business should/must…
5
