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Essay and NEA Technique
Quick questions on Building an argument and judgement - OCR A-Level History technique
4short Q&A pairs drawn directly from our worked dot-point answer. For full context and worked exam questions, read the parent dot-point page.
What is sustain the analysis?Show answer
The defining feature of a top-band essay is sustained analysis: each paragraph makes a claim, supports it with evidence, explains the link to the question, and relates back to the thesis. Analysis must run throughout, not appear only in the conclusion. A paragraph that narrates events and judges only in its final line is "analysis lite" and stays in the middle levels; aim to analyse in every sentence.
What is reach a substantiated judgement?Show answer
The conclusion must reach a substantiated judgement that confirms the thesis with reasons and ranks the factors. It should not summarise ("in conclusion, there were many factors") or hedge. A strong judgement explains why the most important factor outweighs the others, often noting how they interacted. The judgement is earned through the body and stated decisively at the end.
What is q1?Show answer
Rewrite a narrative paragraph as an analytical one for the claim that a named factor was the most important cause of an outcome. [20 marks style]
What is q2?Show answer
What must the conclusion of an AO1 essay do? [2 marks]
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