Assignment, essays, and skills

Question Paper 1: Extended responses (essays)

How do I write a 20 mark Higher Modern Studies essay?

A suggested structure to follow for a 20-mark Higher Modern Studies essay would be: An overall introduction, three main body paragraphs, and an overall conclusion.

The introduction you write needs to do three main things. First, it needs to identify the issue being examined. You can easily do this by integrating the wording of the question. For instance, you could say, 'Some argue that' and then finish the sentence with the wording of the question. Second, your introduction needs to set out the structure of the essay. You can easily do this by saying something like, 'This essay will examine this issue by looking at factors such as', after which you would identify the aspects/ factors/ points the essay's paragraphs will look at. Third, state what the essay's conclusion will be by saying something like, 'In the end, this essay will conclude', completing the sentence by stating the essay's conclusion.

The three main body paragraphs would be best to adopt a structure of PEEAREEAL. This stands for point, explain, example, analysis, rebuttal, explain, example, analysis, link to question. In effective, you start with a 'Point' sentence which says what the paragraph will be about, after which you 'explain' what the point means and how it relates to the question, before the 'example' illustrates the point, and evidences your knowledge. You should then address the 'analysis' element by discussing the consequence(s) of the 'example' beforehand, or how it relates to other factors. The 'rebuttal' then follows, and usually starts with ""However"". You then proceed to state the counter-argument, before explaining it, exampling it, and analysing the consequence(s) and relationship(s) of the example. The 'link to question' at the end of the paragraph is where you conclude by summarising the point and rebuttal, and making a clear evaluative statement which addresses the question.

The overall conclusion is then addressed by having a clear evaluative statement at the beginning, followed by justification of the conclusion by summarising the arguments and evidence within the essay which led to the conclusion. It would also be good to 'discount' an alternative. In other words, you might conclude that the sky is blue, and evidence why, but you should also explain why you discounted the arguments that the sky could be seen as yellow or red."

How do I write a 12 mark Higher Modern Studies essay?

A 12-mark Higher Modern Studies essay could simply involve you providing two main body paragraphs, and nothing else. There is no necessity for an overall introduction or conclusion. Like a 20-mark essay, the  main body paragraphs would be best to adopt a structure of PEEAREEAL. This stands for point, explain, example, analysis, rebuttal, explain, example, analysis, link to question. In effective, you start with a 'Point' sentence which says what the paragraph will be about, after which you 'explain' what the point means and how it relates to the question, before the 'example' illustrates the point, and evidences your knowledge. You should then address the 'analysis' element by discussing the consequence(s) of the 'example' beforehand, or how it relates to other factors. The 'rebuttal' then follows, and usually starts with ""However"". You then proceed to state the counter-argument, before explaining it, exampling it, and analysing the consequence(s) and relationship(s) of the example. The 'link to question' at the end of the paragraph would generally start with ""This shows"", after which you would summarise the arguments of the point and rebuttal."

How do I get Knowledge and Understanding (KU) marks in a Higher Modern Studies essay?

Knowledge and Understanding (KU) marks in Higher Modern Studies essays break down into two categories: Range and exemplification. The former (range) is awarded description. So, this is where you get KU marks for your Point and Explain section, assuming there's enough detail which is accurate, up-to-date and relevant to the question. The second type of KU mark (exemplification) is often awarded for exactly that - exemplification. Another way of thinking of this mark is for your examples. However, you would also get this mark for detailed explanations. In any case, exemplification KU marks require accurate, up-to-date and relevant explanations and/ or examples.

How do I get Analysis marks in a Higher Modern Studies essay?

Analysis marks are awarded for comments you make in your essay which identify relationships, discuss implications and consequences, and explore different views. This means Analysis can be awarded not only for the 'Analysis' section(s) of your paragraph(s), but also for your counter-point/ rebuttal section(s) too. Often, Analysis will start 'As a consequence' or 'However', indicating to the marker that you're attempting to establish the implication(s) of the example beforehand, or state an alternative viewpoint.

How do I get Evaluation marks in a Higher Modern Studies essay?

Evaluation marks, or conclusion marks, are awarded whenever you make evaluative comments or conclusions which make a judgement(s) on the key issues in the question. You should expect to get these marks at the end of main body paragraphs and your overall conclusion in 20-mark essays. Ideally, these evaluative statements would be quantitative, using language like, 'a lot', 'a little', 'limited', 'significant', etc. - terminology you should be familiar with from National 5 Modern Studies source questions. Essentially, answer the question - make a clear and informed conclusion, based on what the paragraph and/or essay has argued.

How do I get Structure marks in a Higher Modern Studies essay?

Structure marks really depend on two factors: Line of argument and relevance to the question. Assuming you have a clear and consistent line of argument (a good way to start this is by stating the overall conclusion of the essay in the introduction of the essay), with paragraphs relate back to the question at hand, followed up by an overall conclusion which directly addresses the question, based on what the essay discussed.