[kwesi]

I've seen and heard a great deal about the thesis-antithesis-conclusion style of essay writing, and thus have implemented this style when answering essay questions from Edexcel's Cold War Unit 6. A problem I encounter is that I can't use this technique and gain consistently high marks as I would like. I wondered if anyone could provide additional advice on essay structure and, furthermore, supply a few hints as to what is required in an introduction.


Thankyou, Kwesi

[MrJohnDClare]

You question is a bit general, kwesi, to answer in a meaningful way - the answer is that the essay structure/technique you adopt depends on the question you have been asked.

What I suggest you do is:

1. Do forum searches on:
+essay+technique
and
synthesis
to see what we have said about this matter before

2. Next time you get an essay question, write into the forum and tell us what it is, and we can advise specifically on a suitable structure/technique for your specific question.

Would that suit?

[kwesi]

Thanks for replying. I recognise that my original query was slightly vague, so I'll be a bit more specific. The greatest problems I face arise in source base papers. Firstly, in a basic 20 mark question (how did? in what ways? etc) is it necessary to include an introduction and conclusion and, if so, what are the key components of these two parts of an essay.

Secondly, it has been banged into my head that the sources should lead the answer. To what extent is this true? Do we need to start every paragraph with source 4 claims or source 2 suggests?

I'll be grateful for any reply.

[MrJohnDClare]

Kwesi
Thanks for that reply. Your questions are absolutely valid.
I;ve opened up your post so that perhaps other people can reply of they feel they can help.
I will also post on the History Teachers' Discussion Forum to see if there is a teacher who teaches this who can help you.

However, before I say anything more I just want to make sure that I am not going to bark up the wrong tree and misdirect you.
So - before we go any further - please can I ask you to be more specific about the course you are doing
Please specify:
1. What Board
2. What syllabus (the number would be helpful).
and then I can look up the specification and be sure that I am not giving you duff info.

[kwesi]

Edexcel Board

unit 6526 G- The Origins and Early Development of the Cold War, 1945-62

Many thanks for your efforts

[MrJohnDClare]

OK Kwesi.

I'm going to answer your quesn by pointing you in the direction of the answer!

You need THIS WEBPAGE.
Read the examiners' reports, and look at the markschemes.
There is black-and-white answer to your question, but I think you will find that the examiners' reports and the past markschemes (both the 'Indicative content', but especially the 'Credit will be given for...') will help you improve your essays.

Note that Edexcel also run an online forum for queries at http://community.ede.../forums/20.aspx. Feel free if you still have any questions to come back here, but you might also wish to ask there too.

Best of luck.

[MrJohnDClare]

Kwesi

One of the teachers on the HTDF writes:

Quote

I'm slightly confused by this request because I thought that this summer was the last time this exam would be taken, unless the student concerned did poorly and is re-taking?? If this is the case, he needs to get papers back and/or look at examiners' reports (teachers can access this with a password). Current Y13 students are now doing the new Units: Unit 3 (replaced old Unit 6) and/or Unit 4 (coursework).

What is the situation here? Are you retaking? Has the Unit 6526 been cancelled? Do you need to check further with your teacher?