Gulp I have got my first essay to mark. I haven't been given any guidance on how to do it.
OK - read through the assignment brief - making note of any components and marks available for that component - and then read through the assignment.
They
should have given you some guidance (I do with my markers
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) but if you don't have it you
can still mark the assignment. I have been known to occasionally
As you're reading through, look for aspects which cover the different components, allocating marks accordingly.
When you've finished, total them up. Does the total mark feel right for the education level it's at? If so, you're OK. If too high/low then re-check and adjust.
I generally work on grade boundaries, then high/medium/low aspects within these. As a result many of my marks are in the 2/4/6/8/0 within a grade, avoiding 9's as they're contentious.