A-level Politics

I've been getting low/ medium level 3 in my essays for edexcel. What do I need to do to get into a high level 4? (The more detailed the better.)

Reply 1

Hawraa.A

Original post by hafsaaaaaaaaa

I've been getting low/ medium level 3 in my essays for edexcel. What do I need to do to get into a high level 4? (The more detailed the better.)

whilst im not the best at politics level 4 I like the FAME para structure (For, against, mini evaluation) for each paragraph

Reply 2

bibachu

Universities Forum Helper

Original post by hafsaaaaaaaaa

I've been getting low/ medium level 3 in my essays for edexcel. What do I need to do to get into a high level 4? (The more detailed the better.)

I'm a current politics student and I tend to hit level 4/5 in my essays. I think structure is really important when writing an essay and finding one that works well for you is also very important, as it gives you a clear idea of how to organise your arguments. I use the PEACE structure (point, evidence, analysis, counterpoint, evaluation) and do that three times in my 30 mark essays, as well as having a strong introduction that states my intent, what I plan to do to defend my position and a brief explanation as to why the counterpoint I will be addressing in each paragraph theme fails or is not enough to persuade me that my argument fails. Conclusions are usually just me restating my position and why the things I have talked about in my essay have led me to still maintain this view, but they are always brief. You don't need an overwhelming amount of evidence in your essays but having strong knowledge definitely allows you to be flexible with your evidence. You're going to have to actively engage in current affairs, but the upcoming election will be a great source of evidence when you write your exam next year, as it's looking like examiners may ask questions in paper 1 especially that could be used to talk about things that have happened in the general election.

For reference in my mock I got 25/30 on a paper 1 source question, 23/30 on a paper 2 essay question and 22/24 on a paper 1 ideologies question, so 70/84 overall (A*), high level 4 on the second question and level 5 on the first and last question.