What it looks like
An example from Politics.
Parliament can make or repeal any law, and no Parliament can bind its successors. Under the Human Rights Act 1998, courts can declare an Act incompatible with Convention rights but cannot strike it down. These are both interesting features of the UK constitution.
The codification debate turns on who should have the final say. Parliament can make or repeal any law, and no Parliament can bind its successors. Under the Human Rights Act 1998, courts can declare an Act incompatible with Convention rights but cannot strike it down. In countries with codified constitutions, such as the United States and Germany, courts can strike legislation down, so codifying would likely shift the final say from Parliament towards judges.
Why markers write it
“Nice points” is genuine praise: the marker spotted moments of real insight. But marking criteria reward a sustained argument, so isolated insights earn less than the same ideas connected into a case. “Some” often means the good points sat alongside weaker, more descriptive material.
How to fix it in your next essay
- 1Find the points the marker tickedLook for ticks and margin praise. Those are your strongest ideas, the ones to build the next essay around.
- 2Ask what connects themGood points often share an underlying idea. Name it, and you have the start of a thesis.
- 3Cut what doesn’t serve the caseMaterial that doesn’t support your argument dilutes the good points. Fewer, connected points read as stronger work.
Phrases that help
How much it costs
In UK marking, insight that appears in places but isn’t sustained usually sits below the First band, often somewhere in the 2:2 to 2:1 range. Wording varies, so read it alongside your actual mark.
Other ways markers say it
- “Some good points”
- “Some interesting ideas”
- “Promising in places”
- “Some perceptive points”
- “Good in places”
Often written alongside
Common questions
- Is “some nice points” good feedback?
- Partly. The marker liked parts of your thinking, but “some” suggests those parts didn’t carry through the whole essay.
- How do I turn good points into an argument?
- Decide what they add up to — your answer to the question — then put that answer in your introduction and link each point back to it.