23rd November 2017

What makes a great ‘extended essay’?

Whether you are teaching the old legacy specification, or the new Edexcel or AQA specifications, students are required to complete extended evaluative essay questions. The new specifications place greater emphasis than before on students being able to communicate arguments and explanations in a clear and structured manner. More than ever before, therefore, you need to be able to express knowledge, understanding and insightful analysis in writing while under pressure.

Here we explore what makes a good extended essay, and give examples of practice questions you can use.

So what is a good essay?

In a good essay, you need to show that;

You are well informed
You can respond, in detail, to any issues raised
You can back up and support any points or arguments that you make
You are articulate
You have formed your view point and insight into issues

You need to avoid giving the impression that you lack substance, have no strong opinions and can only discuss matters in vague, general terms

Your essays will be read by examiners, whose marks may well determine whether you will be awarded the grades you need to achieve your goals. You need to impress the examiner and show off your abilities and knowledge.

Are you well informed?

Although it seems like a statement of the obvious that students need a substantial body of knowledge to be able to write a good essay, high proportion enter their exams with a very modest grasp of the topics. To achieve highest marks, candidates should demonstrate an ability to recall and deploy knowledge of government and politics accurately, showing an understanding of relevant concepts and theories.

It is rare that the understanding needed to perform at a high level is achieved only by attending lessons and taking detailed notes, (even when the teacher is excellent). More is required – supplementary reading of the textbook, for reinforcement and greater detail, and following discussion and debate of the topics in the world of contemporary politics through newspapers, magazines, television, radio and the internet. Group discussion helps, and extracurricular politics group that debates issues, invites speakers and organises trips adds to the depth and quality of the learning experience.

Can you respond to issues raised?

In conversations, no one makes a strong impression by stating the obvious or repeating standard, well-rehearsed arguments. Being able to respond to other people’s contributions with an immediate appropriate response, preferably conveying an opinion with genuine conviction, is likely to make an impact. The same principles apply to essays. Examiners are looking for evidence that candidates can select from comprehensive knowledge and understanding of key ideas to formulate arguments for and against a point of view, [showing] ability to formulate sophisticated analysis in the light of the evidence available, with clear identification of parallels and connections or similarities and differences.

It is possible to produce a respectable essay, in which a question is examined from two points of view and a sensible conclusion is reached, without making a great impact. This is because demonstrating a standard, widely shared understanding of an issue is not particularly impressive. Even less impressive are imbalance essays, with one point of view covered more effectively than others, and obvious attempts to present a pre-prepared response as the answer to a question.

Exam essay questions almost always begin with a command word (discuss, analyse, assess, evaluate) that requires in-depth discussion. If, in response, an essay demonstrates a strong grasp of a range og points of view, making use of knowledge and understanding to craft a thoughtful, insightful, argument, it will make a strong impression and be appropriately rewarded.

As in a conversation, the best political essays will convey an appreciation that the issues are being discussed are not just dry debating points but have a real impact on people’s lives. For example, when asked if pressure groups wield too much power, some students might demonstrate their strong feeling that it is unfair that some of the wealthiest sections of society are able to secure additional resources at the expense of the most needy, while other students effectively marshal all the relevant arguments without being in any way touched by them.

Can you back up any points or arguments you make?

Even if someone is well informed and able to craft arguments and demonstrate insight, effective illustrations add strength and weight. This is especially true in politics essays, where up to date examples show that the key points being made have current validity. Giving examples that are several years (or even decades) old sends the message that the student has not kept up with current affairs during the course and, sometimes, serves to emphasise that the central argument of the essay is out of date.

Are you articulate?

Almost everyone, at some stage in their life, experiences the frustration of having prepared well for an important encounter, thought carefully about the issues likely to arise and being in a position to illustrate any points they might need to make, yet still failing to make the impression they had hoped to make.

Unfortunately, for too many people, that frustration is experienced in an exam, because, under pressure, they key points are not organised as well as they could have been. Knowledge and understanding have to be expressed with clear communication of arguments, explanations and conclusions; well-structured arguments and explanations, with a clear sense of direction, leading to a conclusion that flows from the discussion, and good use of political vocabulary.

It is helpful, in your introduction, to outline your understanding of the question and the key issues to be debated.

In the main body of the essay, there are two approaches that can be adopted.

Present all the relevant points in the issue from one point of view, perhaps over several paragraphs, followed by the counter viewpoint, reaching a logical conclusion. Oftn, when this approach is used, the first viewpoint is set up to be demolished by the second, stronger, argument. A simple example would be evaluating the case for affirmative action before presenting the argument that this policy is no longer justified.
Present both sides of the argument on each point as the essay develops. A student might outline a point that supports the case for affirmative action, paired with the counter-argument, before going on to address the next point in the following paragraph.

Can you bring your essay to a logical conclusion?

Finally, the conclusion should be the logical culmination of the points that precede it. Surprisingly, the concluding paragraph sometimes provides an answer to the question that appears to contradict the argument that has been developed. More often, the conclusion introduces points that have not been addressed in the main body of the essay. Either of these can undermine the main thrust of the essay.

TOP TEN TIPS FOR SUCCESS!

Analyse the question
Answer the question
Focus on the question – (link back to question)
Examples and Evidence – (precise, detailed and accurate)
Context
Political vocab (all those big words!!)
Don’t repeat yourself
Generalisations – beware! (There is always an exception to the rule!)
Arguments for both sides
Clear writing style

Examples of extended essay questions

Legacy examination questions (45 marks)

‘The strengths of the US Constitution now outweigh its weaknesses.’ Discuss.
‘The three branches of government have failed to protect constitutional rights in recent years.’ Discuss.
Can the Bill of Rights be respected while the threat of terrorism remains?
‘The US constitution is no longer fit for purpose.’ Discuss.
Does public participation in the presidential nomination process advance or hinder democracy?
Money, policies or personality: which is the most important in winning the presidency today?
How do Americans decide to vote in presidential elections?
Should the Electoral College be reformed, abolished, or left as it is?

Examples of NEW Edexcel extended essay questions (30 marks)

Evaluate the extent to which general elections in the UK are lost by the government rather than won by the opposition.
Evaluate the extent to which social factors determine voting behaviour.
Evaluate how far Parliament retains sole sovereignty within the UK political system.
Evaluate the extent to which the UK government’s control over Parliament has reduced in recent years.
Evaluate the extent to which the Supreme Court is now an ‘imperial judiciary’.
Evaluate the extent to which Congressional oversight of the President is ineffective.

Examples of NEW AQA extended essay questions (25 marks)

The constitutional power of the Prime Minister exceeds the power of the President. Analyse and evaluate this statement.
‘Citizens’ rights are better protected by the judiciary in the USA than in the UK.’ Analyse and evaluate this statement.
With reference to the feminist writers that you have studied, evaluate the view that feminism is increasingly relevant in the 21st Century.
‘There are many factors that can give the prime minister power over cabinet colleagues.’ Analyse and evaluate this statement.
‘Despite their weaknesses select committees play an increasingly central role in British Politics.’ Analyse and evaluate this statement.