1. Starter: What makes a good essay?
A-Level paper marks
10 November 2018
Essay Writing B
Understand the marking of the synoptic essay
Understand how to achieve the grades and how to structure an essay
Compile lists of topics and create a joint essay A A*
Starter: What makes a good essay?

2. The essay is a synoptic exercise
The essay is designed to assess whether you can bring together material from a range of topics to illustrate and explain an important concept or idea
The essay is not just a memory test of what a student knows – it is also a test of whether they have some understanding of what they have learnt and can apply what they know
Whilst students think of the essay as daunting, it actually allows students to demonstrate their overall understanding and students actually usually do well.
Score range of most WCHS students

3. What AQA expect from students in the essay
To identify an underlying theme or idea in an essay title – it will be a ‘big idea’, not a minor topic
To select five (or six) different examples that they can use to illustrate the theme or idea
To write a reasonable paragraph about each example (using appropriate A-level terminology, not GCSE) pointing out how it illustrates the theme or idea
It is not – ‘Think of every possible thing that relates to the title and write as much as you can about it, with no thought of the main theme/idea.’
This would make it just a memory test (AO1)
It is not – ‘Write at a very high level (above A level) about one or two topics.’
This is not a synoptic approach. We do not wish to encourage learning of rote answers involving one or two important topics which might apply to many titles – e.g. respiration
Slide 28
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4. Mark scheme 0 – 5 marks Slide 28
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5. Mark scheme 6 – 15 marks Slide 28
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6. Mark scheme 16 – 25 marks Slide 28
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7. Getting beyond the specification information
Extra genetic diseases or infectious diseases
Old spec e.g Cholera, Emphysema, different CHD
Extra enzymes and chemicals in chemical pathways e.g. respiration and photosynthesis.
Edexcel and OCR specifications
New Scientist and Biological Sciences review.

8. An example….
Theme/idea – the role of membranes in processes – not just processes that involve membranes
Take one example of a topic for this essay– photosynthesis.
Weaker answers will focus on all of photosynthesis – as a process involving membranes – perhaps mention membranes in chloroplasts (this approach a maximum of about 18 out of 25
Good answers will focus on thylakoid membranes in the chloroplast and the roles of components of these membranes in holding pigments, components of the electron transfer chain, ATP synthase and the membrane as a barrier allowing maintenance of a proton gradient – and, perhaps, role of membranes in maintaining the special chemical environment inside chloroplasts
Don’t just write everything you know about the topic- ONLY THE RELEVANT PARTS.
Slide 28
Copyright © AQA and its licensors. All rights reserved.

9. Example Essay Titles MWB- Write which looks easiest and hardest.
Bullet point 6 topics you could write about

11. Essay Jigsaw
In threes you will now write 1 paragraph each completely independently.
You have EXACTLY 6 minutes per paragraph.
You will then look at it as a group.

12. Essay Jigsaw In your group of three read through each paragraph
Discuss how you would need to order them in the essay AND any alterations to make it all link holistically.

13. Plenary: mark an example of the essay that you just joint wrote
A-Level paper marks
10 November 2018
Essay Writing B
Understand the marking of the synoptic essay
Understand how to achieve the grades and how to structure an essay
Compile lists of topics and create a joint essay A A*
Plenary: mark an example of the essay that you just joint wrote

14. Example Essays to Mark