Modern Studies Higher Essay Technique

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Modern Studies Higher Essay Technique

• Tips for writing good essays

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The Essay Structure

• The essay needs a basic structure to build up
  your ideas. There are certain ingredients
  needed for a successful essay.
• PREPARATION
• - Plan your answer
• - Unlock the question
• - make decision
• - Decide balance
• Nothing elaborate just a few notes to keep the
  focus on the question. Without an essay plan, you
  might wander off topic and lose time and marks.

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INTRODUCTION

• Your introduction must unlock the question and
  show the decision or judgement you have to make.
  You need to also show how you intend to answer
  the Q.
• Example
• To what extent is there a link between income and
  health (Study Theme 2)
• This intro is weak
• There is a health divide in Scotland between the
  rich and the poor. People in the richest
  postcodes have better health statistics than
  people in the poorest postcodes

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INTRODUCTION

• Why is the intro weak?
• Does not mention the decision that has to be made
• No reference to how close the link is between
  income and health
• Does not link back to the question
• Does not show the marker how the question will be
  answered.
• Would not receive any marks!

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INTRODUCTION

• This intro is much better
• There is a significant link between income and
  health. Factors connected with poor health such
  as poverty, lower social class, unemployment,
  healthy lifestyle and bad diet are all inked to
  low income. However, there are exceptions. Some
  people from higher socio-economic backgrounds
  also suffer from poor health as a result of poor
  lifestyle choices. This illustrates that income
  is not the only factor to impact on a persons
  health.

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INTRODUCTION

• Why is this introduction better?
• It links clearly to the question
• It states the decision that has been made
• It shows where the essay is heading, by listing
  the points that will be developed later.
• It shows balance by referring to both sides of
  the argument and providing a conclusion.
• The marker can see this is a well-planned,
  well-structured essay.

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DEVELOPMENT (MIDDLE SECTION)

• It is essential that information is constantly
  updated....candidates should be encouraged to use
  statistics correctly or not at all.
• Principal Assessors Report
• The middle section is where you show your
  knowledge and understanding (KU), balance and
  analysis
• This includes
• A sentence at the beginning of each paragraph
  pointing out what its about
• Analysis of the main point of the paragraph
• Accurate, detailed descriptions /examples in each
  paragraph
• Clear links between the paragraph and the
  question link back
• Balanced comment on the issue being discussed

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How to write a paragraph

• P POINT
• - Sentence giving your point of view in response
  to the Question
• E EXAMPLE
• - Use a current example to illustrate the point.
• A ANALYSIS
• - Explain what your point and example show
• - Expand to show how your point fits into your
  argument
• - Link by providing a mini-conclusion and moving
  to the next point

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Using P, E, A

• STEP 1
• - Unlock the question understand what it is
  asking
• - To what extent how much......
• STEP 2
• The key to a fully developed paragraph is your
  opening sentence must give scope for further
  analysis and development
• STEP 3
• Choose an example that can be explained.
• - Not too specific and factual. It should open
  up the paragraph and allow other points to be
  brought in.

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Using P, E, A - continued

• STEP 4
• Explain and expand your example. Develop it by
  providing evidence to support the point youre
  making.
• STEP 5
• Link your paragraph back to the question by using
  balanced comment is it for or against? Is it a
  good point or a bad point? Does it show a strong
  point or a weakness?
• Link your point to the next part of your essay.
  This allows your essay to flow.

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Length of essay

• Remember for most essays you are writing them in
  just over 20 minutes.
• By providing balance within each of your
  paragraphs, you should aim for at least three
  fully developed paragraphs.
• It is better to balance your points within the
  paragraph rather than in separate paragraphs.
  You essay will flow more easily and not read as
  straight for and against arguments.

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CONCLUSION

• A conclusion at the end is a sign of a mature
  candidate, as long as it is not a summary of
  previous points.
• Principal Assessors Report
• Markers will accept an essay without a conclusion
  as long as you provide balanced comment in
  mini-conclusions throughout your essay.
  Writing a short conclusion is a good way of
  pulling your various points of your argument
  together.

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CONCLUSION

• In your conclusion, make your mind up about the
  issue raised in the question
• - State your decision or judgement
• - Prioritise your main points / arguments
• Do not make rash statements, no matter how
  strongly you feel
• Dont use the first person I think.......
• Conclusion must be balanced
• Dont introduce new facts
• Decide which of the main points your have raised
  in the intro and analysed in your essay are the
  most important in answering the question.
• Your conclusion should give a definite statement
  that makes your decision completely clear to the
  marker.

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What markers like.......

• - Strong start
• - Focus on the question
• - Strong / decisive line or argument
• - Analysis and discussion of all points
• - Recent and detailed examples
• - Links back to the question
• - Balanced comment
• - Links between sections
• - Conclusions that prioritises main points

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What Markers dont like

• Turning the question
• Too little specific information
• Simple references
• Lack of developed points just mentioning a fact
• Out of date examples
• No links to the question
• Lack of balance in your arguments
• Lists and bullet points
• Summary, not a conclusion