Essay Skills

RMPS

KU Questions• These should be easy as long as you know your facts.• Make sure you read the question carefully for key words:

– Describe, explain, outline etc

• Imagine you are writing a ‘bullet point’ of 1/2 sentences for each mark, but lay it out in a paragraph!

• Watch your timing – each KU mark should take no longer than 1minute!

• Watch your length. A 2KU answer should be 2-4 sentences. A 4KU answer should be no more than ¼ of an A4 page!

• If you know your facts you can be concise and to the point – this will save you time for the AE essays!

AE Questions• These can be a combination of analysis, evaluation, or both.• The structure you use when writing can make a big difference in

how easy it is to get marks!• These essays can use facts if you need them to start off, but they

are more about comparing and contrasting viewpoints, interpreting concepts in different ways, assessing the strengths and weaknesses of a particular position, and providing your own opinion with justification.

• It would be appropriate to use quotes and sources in these types of question.

• Making sure you know what the question is asking!• Get into the habit of highlighting key words in a question so you know

what you are asked to demonstrate! If you are asked for your opinion and don’t give it you can only get half marks (none at Higher).

• You have about 1½ to 2 minutes per mark in AE if you use only 1 minute for KU. This includes time to read the paper, plan your answers and check over!

AE Structure

• Imagine your essay to be lots of mini-essays together.

• Each paragraph should make a point in isolation – I do not want you to ‘build’ a long argument like you might in History, or repeat ideas in your conclusion like in English.

• Instead we need lots of little ones!• Each paragraph should relate back to the

question.• If you do this properly there is no need to ‘waste

time’ with introductions and conclusions!

'SEF' Essay StructureThis is the structure I would like you to try using:

Start each paragraph with a ‘factual’ statement that links to one of the key terms in the question. Random KU is no use.

Expand on this statement to work towards answering the question – using examples or quotes where appropriate to give more detail.

Finish off each paragraph by specifically relating back to the question – explain how what you have said tackles an aspect of the issue.