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EnglandVisual Arts

The Personal Investigation and Related Study

4 dot points across 4 inquiry questions. Click any dot point for a focused answer with worked past exam questions where available.

How do you choose a strong theme for the Personal Investigation and generate starting points from it?

Choosing a theme and starting points: selecting a personal, workable theme and generating varied visual starting points through mind mapping, first-hand sources and artist links.
An Edexcel A-Level Art and Design guide to choosing a theme and generating starting points for the Personal Investigation. Explains what makes a theme personal and workable, how to use mind mapping and first-hand sources to open it up, how to avoid themes that are too broad or too narrow, and how to launch a rich enquiry.
12 min answer →

How do you structure and write the related study so it argues a focus and analyses works well?

Structuring and writing the related study: building an argued written investigation with an introduction, analytical body, conclusion, illustrations and references.
An Edexcel A-Level Art and Design guide to structuring and writing the related study. Explains how to frame a focus or question, build an analytical structure (introduction, body, conclusion), analyse works rather than describe, integrate illustrations and references, and reach a personal, supported conclusion.
13 min answer →

What does Component 1, the Personal Investigation, require, and how is it assessed?

The Personal Investigation (Component 1): a practical portfolio and related study on a chosen theme, worth 90 marks and 60 per cent, marked against all four assessment objectives.
An Edexcel A-Level Art and Design guide to Component 1, the Personal Investigation. Explains the practical portfolio and related study, the 90 marks and 60 per cent weighting, how it is internally set and marked and externally moderated, the role of all four assessment objectives, and how to run a sustained personal project.
13 min answer →

What is the related study, what must it contain, and how does it connect to the practical work?

The related study: the written element of Component 1, a minimum of 1000 words of continuous prose (typically 1000 to 3000) integrated with the practical investigation.
An Edexcel A-Level Art and Design guide to the related study (personal study) in Component 1. Explains the minimum 1000 word continuous prose requirement (typically 1000 to 3000), what it must contain, why it must connect to the practical work, how it develops AO1, and how to choose its focus.
13 min answer →