Sociology A2 40 mark essays

Hi all,

We've been given out first 40 mark essay for homework, but we've not been given any instructions.

I was just wondering how long it should be, and also if there's a particular technique for earning the higher marks?

Thanks x

Reply 1

kitty_koo

My sociology teacher told me that for a 40 mark question you do have to write more for than for a 20 mark question (but the marks are initally out of 20 and then doubled).
Studies and sociologists should always be included, but what is the question youve been given? i might be able to help more if i know what topic area you have to write about

Reply 2

smoothie

It's assess the nature extent of secularisation in today's society. I've already done most of it. I wrote what secularisation was about, then did for or against secularisation. Just not sure how long, interesting what you say about the marks being doubled, that's weird!

I'm typing it on the computer in font 14 so not sure how many pages it should be really.

hmm, thanks for your help :smile:

Reply 3

aati_x

Hey! If you want to gain top marks, you have to evaluate through the entire essay by using key sociologist and studies.

Reply 4

smoothie

Thanks for the tip! :wink:

Reply 5

mooncheese89

Yeah I'd agree with that, we've not done any 40 mark essays so far but I'd say just do the same as for last year's 20 mark ones and just ensure there's as much evaluation as possible because that's what the bulk of the marks are for.

Reply 6

smoothie

This whole 40 mark thing seems bizarre- why do they double it? Can anybody explain, i'm a bit confused, lol :s-smilie:

Reply 7

kellywood_5

I think my 40 mark essays were generally about 3-4 sides of A4, bearing in mind I have quite small handwriting. The main tip, as others have said, is to analyse because I think most of the marks come from that, and obviously you need a fair amount of sociologists and studies to back up your points. Defining secularisation sounds like a really good introduction, then you're right that you need to write about for and against to cover the extent aspect. For the nature aspect, you need to mention things like religion becoming more privatised or society becoming more religiously diverse rather than secular.

Reply 8

smoothie

Oh no, I'm confused now as to whether I'm writing enough for 40 marks or 20 marks? :confused:

Sounds like you wrote loads for your essays Kellywood :eek:

Reply 9

tis_me_lord

Write 4-6 pages for a 40 mark answer.

20 marks is description and 20 is evaluation, so evaluate LOADS. Not a token line at the end of every paragraph, but on nearly every point you make.

Oh, in a 1.5 hour exam, I spent an hour on the 40 marker. (Two thirds of marks = 2/3 of time.)

Reply 10

kellywood_5

tis_me_lord

Oh, in a 1.5 hour exam, I spent an hour on the 40 marker. (Two thirds of marks = 2/3 of time.)

Half an hour is plenty for the items questions.

Reply 11

ouijaouija

i would say, a level wise, spend the first half description, second half analysing/evaluation. this is how the marks are split up, and makes it easier for the marker to mark it.

concise, don't waffle, don't use too many studie, you get more marks for indepth analysis of a few.

secualirsation, did you include statistics, and main theorists in the field?

maybe how the way we practise religion has changed...