The key to success is essay writing practice.
The key to success in an examination is the communication of your answer to the examiner. You communicate with the examiner through an essay. It stands to common sense: if you can write good essays, you can get good marks in an examination. Starting September 2009, Laws staff will be providing 'Essay Writing Practice', every week, in all AS/A2 Law and Politics classes/blocks. In AS/A2 Citizenship Studies, 'Essay Writing Practice' will take place every two weeks.
Mr Bunce will also be delivering a special 'Developing Writing Skills' (DWS) class/course at 12 noon on a Monday in TRA-14 for Law. Politics, and/or Citizenship, students. Join this class if you feel that you need to improve your essay/exam writing skills (to join see Mr Bunce, or Dr Jepson, asap). There is also, below, a 'Library of Resource Materials' that provides some useful essay writing advice.
The recommended 'Developing Writing Skills' class/course textbook (which may be available in the College library) is: 'How to write better essays' by Bryan Greetham. For a more basic textbook see 'The Basics of Essay Writing' by Nigel Warburton. Also highly recommended, as a study skills textbook, is: 'The Buzan Study Skills Handbook' by Tony Buzan.
....................... For the 'Developing Writing Skills' class ...........................
(b) Between DWS classes plan next weeks essay(s) (using iMindmap - see below).
(c) In the DWS class write the essay(s) given in the previous week.
Please note: You can use prepared plans in the DWS class - you cannot use a textbook. You must learn and practice how to manage your time.
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PowerPoint files can only be downloaded by Laws teachers, Students should use the PDF Pribt file,
(1) Essay Writing Guidance by Dr Peter Jepson.
(2) Essay Marking Guidance by Dr Peter Jepson
(3) Always PLAN your essay (You plan to work, and then work to plan). You could make use of iMindmap.
(4) "An essay is like a sandwich"a PowerPoint by Dr Peter Jepson. See essay writing tips: [PowerPoint] - [PDF print file] and There is no right answer...
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(5) How to plan an essay by Duncan Bunce - [PowerPoint] and [PDF Print Files].
(6) How to write an essay introduction by Duncan Bunce - [PowerPoint] and [PDF Print Files].
(6) The main body of the essay by Duncan Bunce - [PowerPoint] and [PDF Print Files].
(7) Presenting arguments - 'The Nuts and Bolt's of College Writing' by Michael Harvey
(8) How to write a conclusion by Duncan Bunce - [PowerPoint] and [PDF Print Files].
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(9) Good referencing improves your grade by Duncan Bunce for EPQ students.
(10) See the following Podcasts (by Dr Peter Jepson): Planning and referencing + An essay is a bit like a sandwich + Striving for an A-grade.
(11) The EssayBank - essays you can use. Also, see past examination question papers (via the examination board - see the LawsBlog.co.uk and/or ask your Laws subject teacher.
(12) Essay Competition.