How do I answer the 15-mark Discuss this statement question?
How to plan and write the OCR 15-mark evaluation (Discuss this statement) question, including both-sides argument, sources and a justified conclusion, and how the SPaG marks are earned.
A focused guide to answering the OCR GCSE Religious Studies (J625) 15-mark evaluation (Discuss this statement) question, covering the bullet-point structure, balanced argument, sources of wisdom and authority, the justified conclusion, and how SPaG marks are awarded.
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What this dot point is asking
The 15-mark evaluation question ("Discuss this statement") is the biggest single item on every OCR Religious Studies paper and the one most students lose marks on. This page is a method, not new content: it shows you how to plan and write the evaluation answer so you hit the top band and earn the SPaG marks. Master the formula here, then apply it to every theme and belief on the rest of the site.
What the question looks like
The bullet points are a checklist: an answer that does all four well reaches the top band, and an answer that misses one (most often the "different point of view" or the "justified conclusion") cannot.
The method: plan both sides first
Planning both sides is what stops the most common failure: a one-sided answer. OCR's own bullets demand arguments for and against, so balance is not optional.
Writing the answer
A reliable structure for the body is:
- Open by showing you understand the statement and the issue.
- Arguments for. One paragraph: 2 or 3 developed reasons supporting the statement, each anchored in a source of wisdom and authority (a verse, a teaching, a hadith) and explained, not just named.
- Arguments against. One paragraph: 2 or 3 developed reasons for a different view, including divergent religious views (for example Catholic versus Protestant, or different Muslim views) and non-religious views.
- Justified conclusion. Do not sit on the fence and do not just assert. Weigh the arguments and explain why one side is stronger (or why a nuanced middle position is best). This is what makes the conclusion "justified".
Throughout, use specialist terms correctly (omnipotent, Tawhid, sacrament, just war, theodicy) to earn the SPaG marks.
Try this
Q1. What four things do the bullet points of a Discuss question ask you to do? [Knowledge recall]
- Cue. Refer to religious teachings and sources of wisdom and authority; give reasoned arguments to support the statement; give reasoned arguments for a different point of view; reach a justified conclusion.
Q2. Explain why a "justified conclusion" scores more than just repeating one side. [Short explanation]
- Cue. A justified conclusion weighs the arguments on both sides and explains why one is stronger (or why a nuanced position is best), showing the analysis and evaluation (AO2) that the top band rewards, rather than mere assertion.
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 J625 202215 marks"Religious teachings should always come before personal opinion." Discuss this statement. In your answer you should: refer to religious teachings and sources of wisdom and authority; give reasoned arguments to support this statement; give reasoned arguments to support a different point of view; reach a justified conclusion.Show worked answer →
This is a sample 15-mark AO2 question used here to model the technique. Plan two sides. For the statement: many believers hold that God's revealed teaching (the Bible, the Qur'an) is the highest authority and should guide every decision, since human opinion is fallible. Against: some argue conscience, reason and changing circumstances matter, and that believers must apply teachings thoughtfully rather than mechanically; non-religious people put reason and wellbeing first. Use specialist terms (sources of wisdom and authority, conscience, AO2). The justified conclusion must weigh the sides, for example that teachings carry great authority but must be applied with conscience and understanding. Top-band answers sustain one clear line of reasoning throughout.
OCR J625 202115 marks"A good evaluation answer must include arguments the writer disagrees with." Discuss this statement about exam technique, modelling how OCR marks the Discuss question.Show worked answer →
This question is framed about technique to model the mark scheme. For the statement: OCR's bullet points explicitly require reasoned arguments to support the statement and reasoned arguments to support a different point of view, so a one-sided answer cannot reach the top bands; balance is rewarded. Against (a weaker case): one might argue a very strong single case shows conviction, but this misreads the mark scheme, which rewards weighing alternatives. The justified conclusion: yes, a top answer must engage views it may not share and then judge between them. Use specialist terms (AO2, justified conclusion, reasoned argument). This shows why the formula (for, against, conclude) is essential.
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