Higher Modern Studies Essay writing Pupils will be

Higher Modern Studies Essay writing Pupils will be able to: 1) Understand the expectations of the exam paper. 2) Explain and apply the structure of writing a 20 mark essay.

• The Modern Studies exam is separated into three sections: – Section A – Democracy in the United Kingdom and Scotland – Section B – Social Issues – Section C – World Powers • In Higher Modern Studies paper 1 you will have to: – Write one 20 Mark essay (this can appear anywhere in the three sections of the paper) – Write two 12 mark ‘mini’ essays (they can appear anywhere in the paper) – Answer two 8 mark source handling questions. These questions require NO background knowledge and the answer is taken straight from the sources. 60 marks in total

Timing • Total time = 2 hours and 15 minutes – 135 minutes – 2 minutes 15 seconds a mark!! • Divide your time like this: – 20 mark essay: 40 Minutes – 12 mark essay: 25. 5 Minutes EACH – 8 mark source question: 22 Minutes

Marks Breakdown The 20 marks allocated for an essay are broken down into three areas. These are: 1. Structure (2) – Having and introduction, main body, conclusion and a coherent line of argument. 2. Knowledge and Understanding (8) – Stating a point, explaining it and backing it up with exemplification 3. Analysis (6) – including balance in your essay, not presenting a one sided view point and backing up your balance with exemplification. 4. Evaluation (4) – an extended and balanced conclusion, which justifies and addresses the question. MUST CONSIDER A RANGE OF VIEWPOINTS!!

Planning the essay Prepare your question thoroughly • STEP 1 – Unlock the question – what is actually been asked? • STEP 2 – Make a decision – what side of the issue are you arguing? • STEP 3 – Decide balance – what is the other side of the issue? You are having a discussion – you must show both sides of the story!!

How to structure the essay Introduction Make a decision and layout your answer Middle Section (main body) Factors for/comment BALANCE – factors against/comment Conclusion Sum up both side of the argument and come to a conclusion

Q: The political system provides an effective check on the government. 1. Unlock the question Looking at arguments for and against to prove whether or not the political system provides and effective check on the Government. 2. Make your decision There are examples of the government being held to account through the structure of the Government.

Introduction The introduction should include 3 important features: 1. Context: Establishing the issue (essay title) in its wider context (a little background) 2. Present a line of argument (refer to the question and indicate how you intend to address it) 3. Indicate relevant factors to be discussed (mention the factors you will include to help you discuss the issue)

Writing an Introduction Your introduction will consist of THREE SECTIONS: 1. Give some background information (Context) about your question. 2. Present a line of argument. 3. State all the relevant factors you are going to evaluate.

Q. How important is the green Jelly Baby for the enjoyment of the Jelly Baby bag? Jelly Babies were originally called "unclaimed babies", invented in 1864 by an Austrian man working at Fryers of Lancashire. In 1918 they were produced by Bassett’s as "Peace Babies" to mark the end of World war 1. It has been claimed by many a Jelly baby fan that the Green Jelly Baby is the most important for the overall enjoyment of the bag. This claim is based on the vibrancy of the neon green colour and the intense liminess of flavour. However, other Jelly Baby aficionados have argued that the purple Jelly baby has best flavour. Similarly, the Red Jelly Baby has a massive cult following due to the uncanny similarities that have been made to the nation’s favourite Telly Tubby, Po. Therefore, in order to assess how imperative the green Jelly Baby is for the overall enjoyment of the Jelly Baby experience, these other Jelly Babies must be investigated

Q: 1) The political system provides an effective check on the Context - government. What is the system of parliament? Discuss with reference to a world power you have Who has ultimate power? studied. 2) Line of Argument – MAKE YOUR DECISION - Is there an effective check on the government? - To an extent there is an effective check on the government because… 3) Other Relevant factors - However, is this scrutiny effective? NO/YES – why? - The scrutiny is/ is not entirely effective because…

Q: The political system provides an effective check on the government. 1. Unlock the question Looking at arguments for and against to prove whether or not the political system provides and effective check on the Government. 2. Make your decision There are examples of the government being held to account within the structure of the Government, However, are such checks on the entirely effective.

Middle section - checklist Each paragraph should include: PPoint - A sentence introducing your point to the question. E- Explain- Expand your point, what are the details? E- Example - Give an example to back up your point. This can be statistical, a quote or factual information. YOU MUST THEN LINK THIS POINT BACK TO THE QUESTION A- Analyse – You need to show the information answers the question. The deeper that you consider this, the better your analysis marks. THEN provide a counter point, this is known as BALANCE. To gain more analysis marks you must ensure your provide the other side of the argument. Each point should also have an EXAMPLE. L- LINK- YOU MUST THEN LINK THIS POINT BACK TO THE QUESTION – THIS IS KNOWN AS A MINI CONCLUSION

P -Point Firstly, A way in which… E - Explain ‘This means’ ‘This demonstrates’ ‘This illustrates‘… E - Example This is highlighted by, for example… THIS SHOWS THAT (LINK TO QUESTION) A -Analysis L- LINK ‘This shows’ ‘This means’ ‘This highlights’ ‘This demonstrates’ ‘This illustrates‘… However, On the contrary, On the other hand…For example, this is ba up by… Therefore (LINK TO QUESTION) Next Paragraph… Secondly, Furthermore, Additionally, Penultimately (if second from last), Finally…

Writing an well developed conclusion Your conclusion should have four parts 1. Open your conclusion which summarised your essay 2. Present one side of the argument 3. Present another side of the argument 4. State your overall conclusion

Writing a well developed conclusion In conclusion there is evidence to highlight that the political system does provide a check on the government, however, this is somewhat limited. On one hand, through the existence of the constitution and a Parliament there is evidence that the Government can be held to account. Furthermore due to the existence of committees, Prime ministers question time and backbenchers, we can see opportunities for the parliament to challenge the Government. For example On the other hand, evidence suggests that although there are checks in existence, the real power remains in government and the scrutiny that exists is limited. For example Overall, we can conclude the political system does provide some checks upon the Government. However these checks are limited, as the government has the ultimate decision making power and will exert that authority to have its way.