How do you carry out and record your citizenship action?
How to carry out citizenship action, working collaboratively and solving problems as they arise, communicating with others and decision-makers, keeping a record and evidence of what was done, and reflecting on your own contribution and the teamwork.
A focused answer for OCR GCSE Citizenship Studies on carrying out and recording citizenship action: working collaboratively, solving problems, communicating with others and decision-makers, keeping evidence of what was done, and reflecting on your contribution and teamwork.
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What this dot point is asking
OCR wants you to explain how to carry out citizenship action: working collaboratively and solving problems as they arise, communicating with others and decision-makers, keeping a record and evidence of what was done, and reflecting on your own contribution and the teamwork. This Section 4 skill is central to your own Citizenship Action and is assessed through Paper 2 questions on carrying out and recording action.
Carrying out the action: the skills used
These are real-world skills OCR wants you to use and to be able to write about, especially the way a group works together to overcome obstacles.
Keeping a record and evidence
Reflecting on your contribution and the teamwork
After acting, you reflect on your own contribution (what you did, the skills you used, what you did well and could improve) and on how the team worked together (how roles were shared, how problems were handled, what made the group effective or not). OCR rewards honest reflection that recognises both strengths and areas for improvement. This reflection feeds directly into the evaluation of the action, the final stage of the Citizenship Action cycle.
Try this
Q1. Give two forms of evidence you could keep of a citizenship action. [Knowledge recall]
- Cue. Any two of: photos, notes or a diary, copies of letters or emails, survey or petition results, screenshots of social media, replies from decision-makers.
Q2. Explain one skill used when carrying out a citizenship action. [Short explanation]
- Cue. For example collaboration: working as a team, carrying out your role, listening to others and sharing decisions are needed to get the action done effectively.
Exam-style practice questions
Practice questions written in the style of OCR exam questions on this dot point, with worked answer explainers. The year tag is the paper they imitate, not the source.
OCR J270 20202 marksState why it is useful to keep a record of a citizenship action as it is carried out.Show worked answer →
A short knowledge question (2 marks). Reward a clear reason plus a developing detail.
Keeping a record means there is evidence of what was actually done, by whom and when (1 mark), which is needed later to evaluate the action against its aim and to answer exam questions about it accurately, rather than relying on memory (second mark for development).
Top marks. A reason plus a developed point linking the record to evaluation and to the exam.
OCR J270 20228 marksExplain the skills a student uses when carrying out a citizenship action.Show worked answer →
An extended "Explain" question (8 marks, AO1 and AO2). Reward developed skills, each explained.
Skill one (collaboration and teamwork). Working with others, sharing roles, listening and supporting team members are needed to carry out the action together effectively.
Skill two (communication). Communicating clearly with the team, the public and decision-makers (in writing, speaking or online) is essential to persuade and to get the action done.
Skill three (problem-solving and adaptability). Problems often arise (a low response, a change of plan), so the student must think on their feet, adapt and find solutions to keep the action on track.
Top band. Three developed skills (collaboration, communication, problem-solving), with a judgement on which is most important when carrying out action.
Related dot points
- The meaning of active citizenship, the Citizenship Action requirement in OCR J270, the difference between advocacy and direct action, examples of how citizens take action, and why active citizenship matters in a democracy.
A focused answer for OCR GCSE Citizenship Studies on active citizenship: what it means, the Citizenship Action requirement in J270, the difference between advocacy and direct action, examples of citizens taking action, and why active citizenship matters in a democracy.
- How to plan citizenship action, setting clear and realistic aims, choosing appropriate methods, working with others and assigning roles, identifying who can influence the issue, and anticipating risks and obstacles.
A focused answer for OCR GCSE Citizenship Studies on planning citizenship action: setting clear and realistic aims, choosing appropriate methods, working with others and assigning roles, identifying who can influence the issue, and anticipating risks and obstacles.
- The methods of advocacy and campaigning, including petitions, lobbying, demonstrations, using the media and social media, working with pressure groups, the difference between advocacy and direct action, and what makes a campaign effective.
A focused answer for OCR GCSE Citizenship Studies on advocacy and campaigning: the methods citizens use to bring about change (petitions, lobbying, demonstrations, the media, social media and pressure groups), the difference between advocacy and direct action, and what makes a campaign effective.
- How to evaluate citizenship action against its aims, measuring impact and success, judging what went well and what could be improved, the difference between the action and its outcome, and reflecting on the skills and learning gained.
A focused answer for OCR GCSE Citizenship Studies on evaluating citizenship action: judging it against its aims, measuring impact and success, identifying what went well and what could be improved, the difference between the action and its outcome, and reflecting on skills and learning.
- How to choose a citizenship issue, the difference between primary and secondary research, how to use sources critically and check their reliability, gathering different viewpoints, and forming an aim for your action.
A focused answer for OCR GCSE Citizenship Studies on researching a citizenship issue for the Citizenship Action: choosing an issue, the difference between primary and secondary research, using sources critically and checking reliability, gathering viewpoints, and forming an aim.
Sources & how we know this
- OCR GCSE (9-1) Citizenship Studies J270 specification — OCR (2016)
- Citizenship in action (J270/02) sample assessment material — OCR (2016)