1. Essay Writing Skills
Higher Modern Studies

2. THE 20 MARK ESSAY

3. 20 mark essays To what extent…? Discuss…
Asking you to examine an issue in depth, exploring various viewpoints on the issue
E.g. Electoral systems do not always provide for fair representation. Discuss.
Asking you to examine an issue in depth and come to an overall conclusion/evaluation on the topic
E.g. To what extent have government policies been effective in reducing social inequalities.

4. Overall Essay Structure
Breakdown of Marks
Introduction
4/5 KAKAE paragraphs on issue
Overall Conclusion
Knowledge – 8 marks
Analysis – 6 marks
Evaluation – 4 marks
Structure – 2 marks

5. Starters to analytical sentences:
This evidence suggests / demonstrates / justifies / supports…..
Therefore it can be concluded/deduced that….
This clearly shows/illustrates …
This does not support the idea that……
This argument clearly focusses on …….
There is clearly a difference between……
It reasonable to conclude that…..
The implication / impact of this is that ……….
In essence this viewpoint ………….
This demonstrates the link between……….
This is significant / important / convincing because……..

6. Possible Evaluative terms
Highly
Mostly
Slightly
Only
Strong
Weak
Majority
Few
Influential
Probable
successful
Maintained
Constant
Consistent
Considerable
Inflated
Limited
Difficult
Likely
Clearly
Definitely
Possible
Widely praised
Increasingly
Decreased
Valuable
Significant
Important
Critical
Vital
Very
Relevant
Effective
Can be used in conjunction e.g. Highly relevant

7. Essay Structure Introduction
Tell the marker what you will discuss in the essay and highlight what the main point you are trying to make is.
Middle Section (main body)
Follow a KAKAE format for each paragraph
4/5 paragraphs will suffice.
Conclusion
Concluding comment – sum up what you have stated in each paragraph and make your OVERALL conclusion clear.

8. Main Body Each paragraph should include:
Knowledge -A sentence introducing your point to the Q and its relevance – include real life examples where possible.
Analysis – Be critical – highlight where there are positives/negatives; show how trends have changed or where an exception to a “rule” has occurred
Knowledge – back yourself up with further knowledge and examples or highlight inconsistences
Analysis – as above!!
Evaluation – make a clear judgement on what you have said. If in doubt – link back to the essay question.
You will need DETAILED ANALYSIS in order to gain full marks.
In a 20 mark essay you must evaluate your own points.

9. Conclusion To conclude......
Refer to all the elements you have discussed in your essay.
If completing a “Discuss” Q – link back to the question and highlight that there are a variety of points of view on the issue.
If completing a “To what extent…?” Q – use the words of the question
“To a small extent it can be seen…?” or “To a large extent it is clear that…”

10. K - MSPS hold the government to account through taking part in committees. Scottish Parliament committees consist of 5-15 MSPs who meet regularly to discuss key issues. Within these committees, MSPs can conduct inquiries, discuss legislation and propose new bills. For example, the current Education and Skills committee is investigating issues such as the SQA and teacher workload. A – The vast majority of committee work consists of scrutinising and amending government legislation. Committees use the information and knowledge they have gathered to ensure legislation is workable. For example, in 2012, the Justice Committee scrutinised the Offensive Behaviour at Football Bill and suggested changes to it after hearing the testimony of various expert witnesses including former footballers and journalists showing that committees hold the government to account by changing government bills. K – However, Scottish Parliament Committee membership follows the membership of the parliament in general so, committees will have a membership dominated by the largest party in parliament at any given time – currently the SNP. A – As such, the SNP currently control many committees such as the Education and Skills Committee. Although MSPs from opposition parties, such as the Conservatives and Labour can scrutinise and criticise government legislation and decisions through committee membership, the impact of this will be limited by SNP members who want to follow the party line. E – Overall, it can be said that through the committee system, MSPs hold the government and its actions to account to a large extent as all legislation is subject to committee review and, as the majority of legislation in the Scottish Parliament originates from the government, the government is held accountable for its actions on a regular basis.