How do you plan and write the extended essays that carry the SPaG marks?
How to plan and write the extended 'how far do you agree' essays in the depth study and the thematic study, how to build a balanced, supported argument with a clear judgement, and how to secure the SPaG and specialist-terminology marks.
A focused guide to the extended essays in Eduqas GCSE History, covering how to plan and write the 'how far do you agree' essays, build a balanced argument with a clear judgement, and secure the SPaG and specialist-terminology marks.
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What this dot point is asking
This dot point is exam technique for the extended essays in Eduqas GCSE History, the biggest mark earners that also carry the SPaG marks. You need to know how to plan and write the extended "how far do you agree" essays in the depth study (the 16-mark interpretations essay) and the thematic study (the extended essay with 6 SPaG marks), how to build a balanced, supported argument with a clear judgement, and how to secure the SPaG and specialist-terminology marks. Master this and you protect the most valuable marks on the exam.
Planning the essay
Structuring the argument
Reaching a judgement (do not sit on the fence)
Securing the SPaG marks
Try this
Q1. What is the cardinal rule of a "how far do you agree" essay? [Knowledge recall]
- Cue. Reach a clear, supported judgement; come down on a side and justify it, rather than sitting on the fence.
Q2. Explain why the extended essays are the most valuable answers on the paper. [Short explanation]
- Cue. They carry the highest marks and also the SPaG and specialist-terminology marks, so a balanced, well-argued essay with a clear judgement, written accurately, protects the most valuable marks on the exam.
Exam-style practice questions
Practice questions written in the style of WJEC Eduqas exam questions on this dot point, with worked answer explainers. The year tag is the paper they imitate, not the source.
Eduqas C100 202012 marks'One factor was the most important cause of change.' How far do you agree? [This question carries marks for spelling, punctuation and grammar.]Show worked answer →
The thematic-study extended essay (cap shown is 12; this carries the 6 SPaG marks). Build a balanced argument across the period and reach a supported judgement.
Plan both sides. Note points that support the statement and points against it, drawing on several factors or examples.
Argue for. Explain, with precise support, why the named factor or claim was important.
Argue against. Explain why other factors or considerations were also (or more) important.
Judgement. Conclude how far you agree, weighing the factors, and write accurately with specialist terms to secure the SPaG marks.
Eduqas C100 202116 marks'A particular factor was the main reason for an outcome.' How far do you agree with this view? [This question carries marks for spelling, punctuation and grammar.]Show worked answer →
The depth-study extended essay (16 marks, with SPaG marked). Evaluate the view and reach a supported judgement.
Understand the claim. State clearly what the statement argues.
Agree. Use precise own knowledge to support the claim.
Disagree. Use precise own knowledge to challenge it or to show other factors mattered.
Judgement. Conclude how far you agree, reaching a clear, supported line rather than sitting on the fence, and write accurately to secure the SPaG marks.
Related dot points
- The structure of the two components and their papers, the mark tariffs and timings, the four assessment objectives (AO1 to AO4), and where the SPaG marks fall, so you can plan your revision and exam time.
A focused guide to the structure of Eduqas GCSE History, covering the two components and their papers, the mark tariffs and timings, the four assessment objectives, and where the SPaG marks fall, to help you plan revision and exam time.
- How to answer the source comprehension question and the 'how useful is the source' question, using content and provenance (nature, origin and purpose) and your own knowledge to reach a judgement, without simply calling a source biased.
A focused guide to answering the source questions in Eduqas GCSE History, covering the comprehension question and the 'how useful is the source' question, using content, provenance and own knowledge to reach a judgement.
- What an interpretation is and how it differs from a source, how to explain why interpretations of the past differ, and how to evaluate how far you agree with an interpretation in the 16-mark depth-study essay that carries SPaG.
A focused guide to answering the interpretation questions in Eduqas GCSE History, covering what an interpretation is, why interpretations differ, and how to evaluate how far you agree in the 16-mark depth-study essay.
- How to answer the 'describe two features' question, the 'explain why' question and the thematic-study comparison question, matching the length and structure to the marks and the assessment objective.
A focused guide to the knowledge-based questions in Eduqas GCSE History, covering the 'describe two features', 'explain why' and comparison questions, and how to match the structure to the marks and the assessment objective.
Sources & how we know this
- WJEC Eduqas GCSE History (C100) specification — WJEC Eduqas (2016)