Exam techniques

In the study of Sociology, correct **exam techniques** can help one get a desirable score on their exams. Please note that the list of techniques is not exhaustive; if you have any good techniques you want to share, please tell us in the comments section below.

## What am I supposed to do? (CIE AS level)

There are **three**
main skills being assessed in your tests:

1. Knowledge and Understanding (AO1)

2. Interpretation and Application (A02)

3. Analysis and Evaluation (A03)

The AS level test consists of 6 questions, out of which you have to complete 5, totalling 50 marks. You have 90 mintes to complete your test.

1 (a): Explain a term: Explain the term with two or three sentences, examples are not needed. Worth 2 marks.

1 (b): Identify two examples/strengths etc. of a theory or a social phenomenon: First explain the term mentioned, then find two examples fitting of the question. No evaluation is needed. Worth 4 marks.

1 (c): Explain something: Anything can be mentioned in this question; no evaluation is needed, and it is generally not recommended that you evaluate this question; it is a waste of time. Worth 8 marks.

1 (d): Assess/Evaluate something: Anything can be mentioned in this question; refer to this section on how to do an evaluative essay. Worth 11 marks.

2 and 3: Assess/Evaluate something: A longer version of the 1 (d) question. Choose one to complete. Worth 25 marks.

 1 (b)
 1 (c)
 1 (d)
 2 and 3

Tip: Notice how every question requires knowledge and understanding? It is extremely helpful to explain what the term/theory is about at the start of every question.

## PEEL Paragraph

A PEEL paragraph is a way to structure an essay. Every paragraph consists of the following:

P-Your **point**

E-An **example** or **evidence** that supports your point

E-Your **explanation** / **analysis**

L-A **link** back to the question or next paragraph

## Example PEEL Paragraph

**Point**[Lastly,
while the two-class model in Marxist theory does accurately point out that
class conflict exists in the society, conflict is not only limited between the
bourgeoisie and the proletariat:]

**Evidence that supports point**[Marxist feminists would argue that in addition
to this, there is a conflict between men and women that Marx has failed to
acknowledge. According to sociologist Benston, the Marxist society is
patriarchal:]

**Explanation of evidence**[due to the work that the proletariat perform being largely
physical, men would have a larger importance in the workplace; this means that
women would be responsible for domestic labour. While the man performs
productive labour, housework is seen as “reproductive labour” that does not
generate any monetary value, therefore would be seen as inferior to productive
labour,]

**Link back to question**[resulting in a lower social status for women.]

## 10 Useful tips for examination

**Using cross cultural**
**comparisons.** 90% of essays focus on the USA/UK. What about other countries?

**Use the situation in other countries**. Use other countries as a point of comparison for the UK/USA, especially for Family Diversity, Role of Grandparents, Conjugal Roles, Cultural diversity etc.

**Modern Industrial Societies**. ALWAYS look out for this term in questions.

**Use postmodernism**. It can be used as criticism for meta-narratives. E.g. Functionalism, Feminism ,Marxism.

**Plan your essays**. Do not write an essay without planning beforehand. Write your plan in the answer booklet, not the question paper. Do not cross out your plan.

**Use the item**. AS sociology papers are data response exams. Use the item. “As the item suggests….""
As indiciated
by the item...".

**Leave space between**
**answers.** Leave a space between
answers, so if you have time you can go back to add
additional information.

**Timings are crucial:** 3 Minutes
for reading and planning.

1a) 3 mins
b) 7 mins
c) 14 mins
d) 18 mins

2/3 45 mins

**If you run out of time, use bullet**
**points.** In the worst case scenerio
and you run out of time, write a bullet point answer.

**Conclusions**. Important for essays, make a judgement and answer the question, showing awareness of different perspectives.

## How will my essays be marked? (CIE A Level)

Essays usually refer to 25 mark essays at A1 and 16 mark essays at A2).

All three skills will be used for your essays.

1. Knowledge and Understanding (AO1)

2. Interpretation and Application (A02)

3. Analysis and Evaluation (A03)

25 Mark question at A1 consists of 6 marks for A01, 8 marks for A02 and 11 marks for A03.

16 Mark
question at A2 consists of 3.5 marks A01, 4.5 marks A02 and 8 marks for A03.

What
does this mean?

What this means is
that for writing an essay is that the content (studies, names of researcher,
dates, figures, concepts, contemporary examples although important need to be
organised coherently, applied to a variety of social situations and
interpreted, and expressed in a critical fashion. You must be aware of the
skills being highlighted in the question in order to use the appropriate skills
in your essays. You should also practice writing essays regularly and develop a
technique which addresses the skills required so that you can actually answer
the question set.

### Stage One

Many students are
too quick into diving into an answer. They have focused on certain key
terms and ‘assumed’ what the essay requires from a quick look at the question.
Instead, the question should be read a number of times.

With the title
provided:

·Analyse
the question by underlining the key
features in the essay title

·Double underline the skills being assessed, e.g., describe and
explain

·Identify any terms or concepts
contained in the question. These terms will need to be defined, i.e. concepts
such as interactionists. Essay questions will also include terms, which highlight
the skills being assessed, knowledge and
understanding. E.g. (outline,
explain the view, what do you understand, examine, describe, Interpretation and application, identify and illustrate, and Evaluation assess,
criticise, how useful, how far, evaluate to what extent and so on.

Knowledge
and Understanding: includes names of
researchers, studies, concepts, description of studies.

Interpretation
and Application: the way you manage to
interpret an idea successfully and how you apply sociological evidence to
support ideas.

Analysis
and Evaluation: identifying
strengths and weaknesses, what does a theory explain, and what does it not
explain, are their methodological issues?

### Stage Two: Answering the Question

Arguably, there are
two approaches:

1. The Jury
Approach

Reviews all the
relevant debates and cites supportive evidence for each of the debates, then
provides a verdict at the end of the essay in the conclusion. This
approach is rather like a court case where evidence for
and against the case is delivered and a verdict, at the end is reached.

2. Advocate
Approach

Involves starting the essay with a definite point of view.
The account should then proceed to support this view thoroughly
whilst including alternative arguments. However, you should attempt
to either reject a statement with reservations, or accept
a statement but with reservations. To totally
accept or reject statements is not to deliver an evaluation. What you should do is to put forward
your view in a critical and measured manner.

### Stage Three: Plan the Answer (Content, Criticisms, diagrams)

Why is planning an
answer important:

1. It acts as a memory recall strategy, by planning an
essay before you start to write it.

2. Once you have done this, you can then organize your
thought logically.

You can do
this...in two ways.

1. Linear notes ( the point by point
method). This simply
involves making a list of relevant points. This quick and easy to do but does not always
encourage you to think and organize points in a logical fashion. A list of
points can be vital in ensuring that you have remembered all the main points.
You should also include the strengths and weaknesses of an ideas or application
of theories and ideas.

2. Spider diagrams (diagram of the
points) this involves organizing
the points in a diagram - points are put together if they relevant.

### Stage Four: Writing and Introduction

Introductions are
an important element of a successful essay. The introduction should....

-provide the overall structure
for the essay

-Should help you address
the question asked.

It should include

-many of the key points to be made

-An indication of the approach
of the essay

-sets up the debate between the different theories and interpretations

It could include

-a definition of terms
stated in the essay title.

### Stage Five

it is time you
thought of the way to present the main points that form the answer to the
question. The best way to do this is to put the main points into paragraphs.

USE THE PEEL METHOD (POINT, EXAMPLE/EVIDENCE, EXPLAIN, LINK BACK TO
QUESTION OR NEXT PARAGRAPH)

The phrases you
will use will provide the examiner with the clues that you are demonstrating the skills being assessed. There are ways in which you can build up an
argument or critique a point in a way that show the marker which skill you are
using. The following points may help you develop ideas and link them together
to either support or criticise a case...

**Support Links**

Further evidence supports the view that....

In addition... supports the view that....

In support of the view that... (a theorist) also
believes that....

Increasing support of the view that.... Is.....

Not only does experimental evidence strengthen
the.... theory but case studies have also been used to lend further weight;

**Critical Links**

Critical links
which evaluate the previous point/views/theories/evidence. These will
illustrate that you are attempting to evaluate....

An alternative theory to...view...was developed
by...who...stated that.....

A major criticism of the...view is....

A major weakness of the...theory is....

Whereas the...view focuses on...the...view
explores....

Analysis may stretch further when examining....

Although the...theory is supported by a variety of
evidence, certain evidence contradicts the theory

A different explanation of.... Has been offered by...

A major strength of the...theory is....

Once a paragraph
has been introduced, the following points may help you structure the paragraph.
A paragraph must contain the following features.....

P It should be attempting to make one point

P It should begin with an opening sentence, which expresses the main point; the opening sentence might well link
with previous paragraphs.

P Support sentences should follow. These support sentences should include.... An
example if applicable. In addition, a brief mention of further examples could
be included to broaden the scope of the main point.

P Finally, the paragraph should end
with a concluding sentence. This may well clarify your main point
and can help lead into the next paragraph.

### Stage Six: Write a Conclusion

Many students have
stated that they find this extremely difficult. What should be included? Here
are some ideas what to do and what not to do!

Try Not To

r  repeat
all the point you have stated

r  Do not start a conclusion with ‘Thus we can see’ This is too simplistic. If everyone could see the same
thing and come to the same conclusion there would be no debate at all!

r  Do not
choose one view or perspective over another for the sake of
something to write. You need to be convinced and you need to justify your
decision. Far better to state why you
cannot arrive at a decision
- this could show that you really have evaluated the material.

What to
include...

P    It does depend upon the title and on
the approach you have adopted. If you have adopted the jury approach, you must arrive at a considered verdict.

P    If you have adopted the advocate
approach, you will need to reconsider you
standpoint, pointing out the
problems about your approach.

P    You can ask questions about the topic
e.g., do you think there is enough evidence to enable you to support any
viewpoint? What research might you wish to know in order to come to a
considered viewpoint?

How can you
improve your Essay Technique?

·
When
writing an essay, try going through the stages in this handout

·      practice identifying the three assessed skills in essay titles

·      Although it may be time consuming,
practice designing plans for your essays.

·      Be aware of language you use when writing your main points. Use some of the ideas in the handout which link
ideas together to criticise points.

## How to Prepare for the Exam? A\* advice

* It is important to intentionally accumulate sociological evidence so as you could apply them in the exam.
* You could accumulate sociological evidence from:

1. Textbook or other sociology books (I would recommend *Sociology: Theme and Perspective* 8th edition by Haralambos; *Sociology* by Anthony Giddens)
2. Sociology podcasts (such as the Sociology Show)
3. University lectures (if possible)

* Having accumulated sociological evidence, it is rather significant that you organise the evidence systematically.
* Prepare an evidence bank can be an option (which is what I did).
* Evidence bank shouldn't be your note, but what you did as a means to exam revision.

You may consider this format of evidence bank, or you may create your own style!

Template of an evidence bank
 Synopsis:
1. xxxx
2. xxxx
 What research methods were used?

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