If a blue marking card is submitted with a student's piece of work, the marker should follow the Application of the Blue Card Marking Guidelines. The following approach should be taken:
- The student is marked on their ability to demonstrate an understanding of the subject using an appropriate academic style.
- Where the meaning is clear to the reader, the student should not be penalised for poor spelling, poor grammar and awkward sentence structure when these aspects are not part of the learning outcomes.
- Feedback should be given in a straightforward and accessible manner and preferably typed. When drawing a student's attention to selected sections of their assignment, it is helpful to show where and how criteria have or have not been met. A better understanding is often achieved when examples are given.
For modules where academic standards would be compromised by applying marking concessions, exemption may be requested as outlined in the guidelines. If approved, work marked for these modules should clearly indicate where and how many marks were lost because of poor spelling, grammar and punctuation.