Skills

In this section you will find resources to help you to understand and develop your AO1 and AO2 essay writing skills.

From AQA Religious Studies AS Mark Scheme:

AO1:

Level 5 (13-15)

• Knowledge and understanding is accurate and relevant and is consistently applied to the question
• Very good use of detailed and relevant evidence which may include textual/scriptural references where appropriate
• The answer is clear and coherent and there is effective use of specialist language and terminology

AO2:

Level 5 (13-15)

• Reasoned and evidenced chains of reasoning supporting different points of view with critical analysis
• Evaluation is based on the reasoning presented
• The answer is clear and coherent and there is effective use of specialist language and terminology

General structure AO1

Use and define all appropriate key words

• Do not simply 'list' key words and definitions, explain how they apply to the theory with theory specific examples. Some key words such as 'Deontological/ Teleological, Absolutist/ Relativist, A-priori/ A-posteriori, Deductive/ Inductive you should use and explain early in the essay i.e. as an introduction, as they are key distinctions which underpin the theory. Key words such as 'Primary Precepts' (Natural Law) you should use and illustrate in the main body of the essay as they are unique to and essential to the specific theory.
• E.g. Natural is a Deontological theory as it is a normative ethical position which judges the morality of an action based on rules. Deontological ethics are "duty" based ethics, because rules "bind you to your duty". In Natural Law we have a duty to preserve life for example, as set out in the Primary Precepts.

Explain the key aspects of the theory

• E.g. In Natural Law there are 5 Primary Precepts which followers have a duty to follow. These derive from the Syndresis Rule 'Do good and avoid Evil' which Aquinas believes we know a-priori; before experience accessed using reason... (Now explain/ illustrate some of the Primary Precepts).

Illustrate (give examples)

• The question may direct you to discuss a particular applied topic which you must then use to illustrate the theory. If the question does not specify, then general relevant examples can be used.
• E.g. One of the primary precepts is 'reproduction'. From the primary precepts, secondary precepts are formed. In the case of 'reproduction', the secondary precept of 'no abortion' would be generated.

Analyze

• Analysis involves comparing and contrasting the theory with other similar theories e.g. comparing Natural Law to Situation Ethics. What are the significant differences? Is it as effective for solving moral dilemmas? Why/ why not? (This is still an AO1 skill, as you are not reaching a final judgement, just exploring some of the strengths and weaknesses of the theory). Also highlight differing approaches to following/ applying the theory (e.g. Natural Law's 'Proportionalist' approach).
• E.g. Natural Law is less effective at resolving moral issues such as abortion than Situation Ethics. Significantly, as Natural Law is primarily an absolutist theory, it offers little to no flexibility and fails to consider the circumstances when considering the issue of abortion. This is because it relies on fixed primary precepts such as 'preservation of life', which will ultimately forbid abortion in all circumstances (the only exception being the 'doctrine of double effect' in which the removal of the foetus is an unintended secondary effect of removing a woman's cancerous uterus). Conversely, Situation Ethics, which is situational rather than legalistic, weighs up the circumstances on the basis of the principle of 'Agape' (to do the most loving thing in any given situation). Many would regard this as being more ethical/ reasonable and therefore more effective.