How to write 10 mark sociology questions

10 mark ‘outline and explain’ questions These require you to outline and explain two factors, features, functions, ways, problems, advantages, disadvantages, criticisms or other issues in education. They can occur on BOTH papers For example… “Outline and explain TWO reasons for gender difference in subject choice” (10 marks) “Outline and explain TWO ways in which globalisation has affected educational policies in the United Kingdom” (10 marks)

How do you outline and explain then?

What does outline and explain mean? Outline = basically means identify two factors, ideas or concepts which are fully linked to the question No need for an intro or conclusion Structure: Identify the concept… Explain – this means that… Apply to the concept of the question 15 mins = 400 words – examiner will only mark the best TWO – don’t write lots of explanations! Use a chain of reasoning….

Lets have a go! “Outline and explain TWO reasons for gender difference in subject choice” (10 marks) How would you answer this question? Which two reasons would you use?

Reasons… Content you could include… Peer pressure Pupil’s gender identities Primary socialisation Gender domains School organisation and type (mixed vs. single-sex classes/schools) Gendered subject images Career preferences/gender segregation in the labour market

Have a go… Identify the concept… Explain – this means that… Apply to the concept of the question “Outline and explain TWO reasons for gender difference in subject choice” (10 marks)

Model answer how many marks would it get?

Model answer how many marks would it get? 8 marks awarded First few lines show a reasonable introduction to the patterns of subject choice The answer looks at two reasons why there may be differences in subject choice between genders The first example is primary socialisation and discusses how factors in the home and wider society may impact on choices The second point is about the gendered aspects of subjects in schools and how teachers and other resources such as textbooks may impact on choice Both points are clearly explained with examples to illustrate Some appropriate analysis

Have a go… “Outline and explain TWO reasons why pupils form subcultures in schools” (10 marks) Hints: Labelling Streaming Self-fulfilling prophecy Gender, ethnic, class differences

Have a go… “Outline and explain TWO reasons for ethnic differences in educational achievement” (10 marks) Hints: Teacher racism/labelling streaming Ethnocentric curriculum Language Family structure Outline some of the reasons for ethnic differences in educational achievement.

Have a go… “Outline and explain TWO factors within the education system that may have contributed to improvements in girls’ achievement. Hints: Equal opportunities Single sex schools/classes coursework/assessment patterns Outline some of the reasons for ethnic differences in educational achievement.