EXTENDED WRITING

The Golden Rules 1.Read the Question carefully 2.Plan your answer 3.Structure your answer 4.Focus your introduction 5.Use diagrams, maps etc 6.Exemplify 7.Leave time for an effective conclusion

Remember AO1 = Knowledge (10-15%) AO2 = Understanding (20-40%) AO3 = Application & Evaluation (20-40%) AO4 = Communication (10-15%)

So what makes an A  1. Detail with good understanding and knowledge 2. Ideas developed effectively especially cause-effect 3. Examples/data/evidence are clearly integrated into the answer 4. Effective use of geographical terminology 5. An effective use of written communication often supported with maps or diagrams

Read the Question Be relevant – answer the question set e.g. Q6 “Traffic congestion is the greatest threat to the urban environment in the 21 st Century.” = How can we reduce traffic congestion

Read the Question First read and analyze the question – don’t ignore sections e.g. Q9 “The designation of areas as National Parks causes more problems than it solves.” Discuss this viewpoint.

Plan your answer Brief plan – spider diagram Don’t spend too long or write too much If run out of time it is looked at/marked

Structure your answer Use paragraphs to structure your answer E.g Factors influencing land use: PHYSICAL – CRDVDS ECONOMIC – CLDTS SOCIAL – HISER POLITICAL - LQTSP

Focus your introduction Don’t: In this essay I (1) am going to discuss (2) the way that development of a river basin can bring problems and benefits to an area. I have chosen the missippi (3) which is the major river in America (4) to show the impact of such developments.

Focus your introduction Developments in river basins can bring a variety of impacts – some positive others negative, some planned others accidental. (1) River basins vary in scale (2) from local such as the Cuckmere in Sussex to the almost continental scale of the Mississippi (3) in North America. Impacts may vary both over time and may be viewed differently by various groups in the community.(4)

Use diagrams, maps etc It saves words/time It shows spatial/locational aspects Keep them simple – don’t try to draw the UK exactly Do them quite large – it is easier to read larger diagrams and they look neater Only use colours if it helps and remember certain colours mean something in Geography Number them as Figs and refer to them in the writing

Exemplify Avoid the e.g. Africa Spell it correctly e.g. Missipi Locate it e.g. Thames in Britain Local small scale are often better Not too much detail Variety V depth of detail

Time Look at the marks – usually 1 mark = 1min Don’t over run – stop (go back at the end) If run out of time do notes Try to get a conclusion regardless Don’t try to con the examiner

Conclude Go back to the title The answer may vary with: Level of Development Time Location (e.g coast v inland, highland v lowland) Scale (local v regional) or between groups or aspects (e.g. Social v environmental)

AND ALLOW TIME TO CHECK YOUR ANSWER.