The 40-mark essay
Each two-hour paper asks you to answer 3 × 40-mark essays from a choice of four. That gives an average of about 40 minutes per answer, including planning, writing and checking. Practise a split that works for you and keep evaluation front and centre.
Recommended layout
- Introduction — define key terms, identify the debate, and signpost your line of argument (your thesis).
- AO1 integration — accurately explain the relevant theory, scholars and quotes, woven into the argument rather than dumped.
- AO2 evaluation — one argument per paragraph: present the view, give a counter-argument, then a mini-judgement. Use scholars on both sides.
- Judgement — make clear, throughout, which arguments you find stronger and why.
- Conclusion — a justified judgement that follows from the argument. Don't introduce new material; don't sit on the fence.
Top AO2 tip. Marks are dominated by evaluation — weigh views rather than list them, use connectives, and always link back to the exact question, saying why the winning argument wins.
Checklist
- Thesis stated in the introduction.
- One argument per paragraph, each with a counter and a mini-judgement.
- Justified conclusion that answers the exact question.