Students who sit the Intermediate 2 exam and NABs must write a short essay on a question from the topic.
The essay is marked out of 8 marks. Up to 3 marks can be given if the answer is in the correct format of INTRODUCTION paragraph followed by several DEVELOPMENT paragraphs, finishing with a CONCLUSION. The remaining 5 marks can be earned by using correct K&U to answer the question.
A Good introduction will ...
- Refer to the question. So use the words from the question in the first sentence.
- Give the reader a number of key points which will be dealt with later. So use "flag words and phrases" such as "A reason for this was ... Another factor was ... An important event was ..."
- Give the reader an idea of your final answer. So use adjective phrases such as ... "Very important reason..." "Significant event ..." , "Key factor ..." , "Of very great importance was ...", "The most important..."
The DEVELOPMENT section must be ...
- Written in paragraphs. Each paragraph must tell the reader about one point which was mentioned in the INTRODUCTION.
- Written in the PEEL format: Make your point. Explain your point. Give evidence or facts to back up your point. Link back to the question in the last sentence.
The CONCLUSION must be ...
- A single paragraph at the end of the essay.
- Understood by the reader to be a conclusion. So start with "In conclusion ..." or "To conclude" ... or "To return to the question..."
- A final answer to the question. So review the key points you have made in a few sentences and then give a final judgement ... "X,Y and Z were important reasons / events but the most important of all was W because ..."
