Aqa sociology a level help

Hi guys! I'm about to do my Year 12 mocks and was wondering, when doing essay questions in sociology:
Are introductions needed
How to do synoptic links for everything (I've only completed the family and households and education topics so I sometimes feel as though I can't do synoptic links for everything). - are synoptic links crucial for As and A*s
How many paragraphs should you do for each question type and how long you should roughly do them for.
How long should an evaluation be and what essay structures do you find the best for As to A*s
Also, if you have any sociology notes or flashcards sets and received or are predicting an A or A*, if you are willing to share them, I would be really grateful!
Sorry that's quite a lot lol
Thank you!

1- introductions only needed for 20/30 markers
2- not necessarily- they more are for the theories and methods which is year 13 content. if you can make a link then do, but it is not essential
3- 10 markers: 2 paragraphs (just under 2 pages but depends on your handwriting), 20 markers: intro/conclusion, 3 main (2/3 points from the item), 30 markers: intro/conclusion, 4 main paragraphs (3 points from item, 1 not)
10 markers: 15 mins 20 markers: 30 mins 30 markers: 45 mins
Biggest tip would be plan each paragraph at the top of the paper- just a few sentences and highlight the points from the item you will use
4- 1 paragraph which acts as a counter argument to your other 2/3. i usually do a few sentences on the end, make sure that it links to the point you're making. if you can't think of one, use another AO1 point instead
5- i use paper mindmaps to summarise topics sorry!

Hello! https://classroom.google.com/c/NzY2MzU3MzM4ODU3?cjc=xs4xv6fn join this google classroom if you are in year 12/13 - created it so we can all come together as one to discuss Sociology, Exams etc.