- Health & Social Care
- Personal & Skills Development
![](http://sektorel.online/777/templates/cheerup/res/banner1.gif)
Essential AQA A-Level Sociology How to Maximise Student Performance in 20 & 30 Mark Essays
This course provides comprehensive guidance and resources to support the teaching of effective exam technique for the 20 and 30-mark questions in AQA A-Level Sociology.
- 2-3 hours learning time
- 7 course steps
About this course
Who it's for.
All teachers delivering AQA A-Level Sociology
Course series
Essential AQA A-Level Sociology
Course outline
- Introduction
- Writing 20 & 30 mark questions
- Overall structure
- Planning Essays
- Introductions & Conclusions
- Marking Activity
![20 mark essay structure sociology 20 mark essay structure sociology](https://tutor2u-ondemand.objects.frb.io/host-photos/duncan-hall.jpg)
Duncan Hall
Duncan is Subject Lead for Sociology, History and Politics at tutor2u. Duncan is an experienced teacher, writer and senior examiner.
![20 mark essay structure sociology 20 mark essay structure sociology](https://tutor2u-ondemand.objects.frb.io/host-photos/Craog-Gelling.png)
Craig Gelling
Craig is an experienced Sociology teacher and examiner and is known as The Sociology Guy on social media. Craig helps design and deliver tutor2u Sociology CPD courses and student exam workshops.
Start learning for free
1 full videos and activities to preview
Buy full access to this course
You'll get an access code that can be used to fully enrol on the course.
What's included?
- Designed and delivered by highly experienced presenters
- Track your progress
- Device-friendly learning platform
Already have an access code?
Redeem it for full access
More Sociology Teacher Courses
Crime & deviance be the examiner aqa a-level sociology, education be the examiner aqa a-level sociology, how to maximise student performance in 10 markers essential aqa a-level sociology, identifying and improving analysis essential aqa a-level sociology, methods in context be the examiner aqa a-level sociology, teaching education essential aqa a-level sociology, teaching research methods essential aqa a-level sociology, teaching sensitive & controversial topics essential aqa a-level sociology.
© 2024 Tutor2u Limited Company Reg No: 04489574. VAT Reg: 816865400.
Essay Questions
Support links .
You will find a 20 mark question on all three papers of the A-Level exam, however, Methods in context question will be dealt with separately.
20 mark questions are essay style questions and should be answered in continuous prose and paragraphs. You should take around 25 – 30 minutes to answer these questions and contain between 3 and 4 paragraphs as well as an introduction and conclusion.
30 Mark Questions only appear on paper 1 and 3 for both Education and Crime and Deviance. 30 Mark questions are to be approached in the same way as the 20 markers, however, you ware expected to show a deeper level of knowledge and understanding (4-5 points), analysis and evaluation.
Command Words
All essay questions use the same command words:
Applying material from = Use the item explicitly in your answer. The examiner needs to see "the item" to show you have taken material from the item.
Evaluate = Look at multiple arguments and come to a reasoned and definitive conclusion
Evaluation Stems
There are two types of essay that you can be asked, Argument or relative importance. You will need to identify which type it is by looking at the question and identifying the evaluation stem. There are four stems for argument essays and two for relative importance:
ARGUMENT ESSAY STEMS
- The view
- The contribution of
- The usefulness of
RELATIVE IMPORTANCE ESSAY STEMS
- Sociological explanations of
- The reasons / causes / factors of
Planning your answers is an important step in practicing essay questions. There is no point writing out a full essay answer if you have no idea or are unsure on what it is you are being asked to do or what to include.
The for and against sides of the content section are essentially two different essays. They do not have to correspond. You then choose which you one you are going to turn into your essay [answer].
Introduction
The introduction should give an overview to the examiner of what it is you are going to write about in the essay. It is also there to show the examiner that you understand the question and what it is asking you to do.
The introduction should contain three elements:
Context:
This is the background information on the question and can come in three forms:
- Definition of key sociological terms.
- Trends in statistical subjects.
- Background of the theory or topic.
Content:
In this part of the introduction you show the examiner that you have interpreted the question correctly by explaining the key points that you are going to cover in the essay.
For an argument essay this will be both the arguments for and against the view in the question. Whereas for a relative importance question this will be the reasons, factors or explanations you are going to discuss.
This a a single sentence which either states that you are going to argue for or against the view in the question, or which reason, factor or explanation is the most important.
The main body of the essay should be around 3 or 4 paragraphs for a 20 marker and 4 or 5 paragraphs in length for a 30 marker, meaning that there should be 4 or 5 points that come from both the item that you have been given as well as your own knowledge.
A nswer the Question
The first sentence of your paragraph should directly answer the question. Use the terms of the question to help make sure you are answering the question set.
Argument Essay - Why have you come to your overall answer. Give a reason not a concept.
Relative Importance - Identify the explanation, reason, cause or factor.
R easons / Explanation
Use your sociological knowledge to explain how and why this answers the question. This should be around 3-4 sentences where you teach the reader and convince them that your answer is the correct one.
E valuation
The evaluation section of the paragraph is where you show your understanding of the opposing argument to your answer. The evaluation should directly link to the point that you are making at the start of your paragraph. It must be shorter than your explanation.
A pplication
The application elements of your paragraph are floating and go where they fit. Application comes in a range of formats:
- Integrated use of the item [Paraphrase don't quote]
- Appropriately named sociologists
- Appropriately used sociological studies
- Contemporary real life examples
- Illustrative Examples
L ink
This is where you reiterate your answer.
Argument Essay - What is your overall argument again. Not necessary for Assessment objectives but good literacy.
Relative Importance - Why is this factor the most important / not the most important. This is ESSENTIAL to show you are answering the question and not just describing the topic.
The conclusion should be about 2 or 3 sentences long and needs to answer the question directly, and explain why you have come to that answer.
Do not evaluate or add anything you have not mentioned already.
![20 mark essay structure sociology TSTassets (1)_edited_edited.png](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/4ccc50_76a8cd8a701e4b60978705618a8bafae~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_54,h_54,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/TSTassets%20(1)_edited_edited.png)
The Sociology Teacher
![20 mark essay structure sociology](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/af7a8b002af842f8bab87691c1d8640f.jpg/v1/fill/w_147,h_83,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/af7a8b002af842f8bab87691c1d8640f.jpg)
![](http://sektorel.online/777/templates/cheerup/res/banner1.gif)
Types of Questions
There are a variety of different questions that come up across your three A level exams. Knowing what's needed in each question will help you structure your answers.
Mark Questions
What are they?
These questions simply ask you to outline two (for four marks) or outline three (for six marks) things. These things are usually 'reasons' or 'factors'.
Where are they?
Paper 1: A four marker and a six marker as questions 1 & 2 both on education.
Paper 2: None of these!
Paper 3: A four marker and a six marker as questions 1 & 2 both on crime and deviance.
How do I answer them?
Quite simply you get one mark for a partially outlined factor/reason, and two marks for a clearly outlined factor/reason.
These questions make up 1/8th of your total marks. All though that seems small, it could be the difference between you getting the grade you need or falling short!
10 Mark Questions
These questions come in two variations: "Outline and explain two..." and "Using material from Item A, analyse two...". They require you to write two paragraphs, aim for about a page of A4 handwritten.
Paper 1: One "analyse" question on education and one "outline" question on theory & methods.
Paper 2: One of each for family and one of each for media (so four in total).
Paper 3: One "analyse" question on crime & deviance and one "outline" question on theory & methods.
All though the questions look similar, you have to answer them in completely different ways. "Outline" questions require strong and clearly described information, focusing on AO1. It may feel like you're stating the obvious with some parts of your answer, but you need to make it clear to the examiner that you know every aspect of what it is you've been asked to outline. Opinion is divided as to how little evaluation needs to be included in each paragraph. Some say none, however go with one or two (max) sentences to be safe if you have the time.
"Analyse" questions on the other hand require you to firstly use an item. Where ever possible you need to select two points from within the item and directly quote it. In terms of your writing, your AO1 needs to be condensed, unlike the lengthy descriptive AO1 in an "outline" question. This gives you more room for AO2 and AO3. Apply it to any examples or current events, before going on to the analysis and evaluation. This needs to be assessing the strengths and weaknesses of the focus of your paragraphs. The more specific the analysis and evaluation, the better.
These questions make up 1/4 of your total marks, so they're definitely worth getting your head around!
20 Mark Questions
Methods in context.
Methods in context questions ask you to combine your knowledge of a particular research methods and an educational topic.
There is only one of these questions and it's in Paper 1.
Aim for two sides of A4 handwritten. Include an introduction, conclusion and three main paragraphs on practical, ethical and theoretical aspects of the research. You should aim for a balance of both strengths and limitations of the research method and relate it as specifically as possible to what you are trying to investigate.
20 & 30 Mark Questions
These questions are essay questions which require you to evaluate something. They always have an item, so you will have some basic AO1 to get you going.
Paper 1: One 30 mark question on education.
Paper 2: Two 20 mark questions, one on family and one on media.
Paper 3: One 30 mark question on crime & deviance and one 20 mark question on theory & methods.
You need to start with an engaging introduction, include your main body paragraphs, and end with a confident conclusion. These main body paragraphs need to start with some relevant AO1, possibly making reference to the item, followed by AO2 and AO3. Keep an eye on the blog posts for some more detailed advice on answers.
These questions make up half of your total marks, so they're essential to achieving the grade you want.
Reference Library
Collections
- See what's new
- All Resources
- Student Resources
- Assessment Resources
- Teaching Resources
- CPD Courses
- Livestreams
Study notes, videos, interactive activities and more!
Sociology news, insights and enrichment
Currated collections of free resources
Browse resources by topic
- All Sociology Resources
Resource Selections
Currated lists of resources
Theory & Methods: AQA A Level Sociology Topic Essays (20 Marks)
in Worked Answers
This collection of exemplar essays cover a wide range of 20-mark essay questions on Theory & Methods. Each comes with commentary from a senior examiner.
Available for immediate download after checkout
- Share on Facebook
- Share on Twitter
- Share by Email
- Description
- Delivery & returns
The essays contained in this resource are:
Applying material from Item C and your own knowledge...
- Evaluate the usefulness of functionalist approaches to our understanding of society
- Evaluate the usefulness of Marxist approaches to our understanding of society
- Evaluate the usefulness of feminist approaches to our understanding of society
- Evaluate the usefulness of interactionist approaches to our understanding of society
- Evaluate the view that structural theories are limited in their understanding of society today
- Evaluate the view that sociology should be value free in its research
- Evaluate the view that sociology is, and should be, a scientific discipline
- Evaluate the claim that society has entered into a postmodern age
- Evaluate the claim that positivist methodologies are of limited usefulness in our understanding of contemporary society
- Evaluate the claim that the main purpose of sociological research should be to inform government policy to tackle social issues
![20 mark essay structure sociology 20 mark essay structure sociology](https://tutor2u-net.imgix.net/library/Callouts/Resources/Sociology/soc-essays-theorymethods-20markers.png?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=clip&q=80&w=800)
Digital Resources
If your purchase is available as an 'Instant Download' and you choose this format, your resources will be available for download immediately after checkout within your mytutor2u account. If you do not already have an account, you will create one as part of the checkout process.
Printed Resources
If your purchase is available as a 'Printed Resource', tutor2u uses DPD to deliver your resources.
In most cases, it will arrive the following day (if ordered before 3pm), but at busy times can take up to 3 working days. You will receive tracking information usually via email to track your parcel(s).
The office is open Monday to Friday, so any orders placed after 3pm on a Friday or at the weekend, will not be shipped until the following Monday.
Returns Policy
Due to the nature of our digital resources, we do not normally offer any refunds for materials purchased from us. Our materials are not sold with digital rights protection - you are able to use them straightaway without password protection.
Each of our learning resources has a sample, extract, preview or detailed description supplied which clearly describes the content and purpose of each item. This gives you - the customer - a clear understanding of what you are purchasing.
Due to immediate access of digital resources, no refunds will be offered.
If you are unhappy with the content of your tutor2u resources, please let us know why and we will do all that is reasonable to meet your requirements.
If you have received damaged merchandise then we will ship another free of charge.
We will endeavour to arrange the appropriate refund or return within 7 working days of the matter being notified to our office.
To contact the tutor2u office about your transaction, please email [email protected] or call the office on 01937 848885.
This returns policy does not affect your statutory rights.
School network license
This licence permits you to make the resource available to all student and staff in the subscribing institution, either in digital and/or print form (including photocopying).
The resource may be distributed via a secure virtual learning environment, however it must not be made available on any public or insecure website or other platform.
The resource may not be distributed to other institutions that are members of the same academy chain or similar organisation; each individual institution must have a separate school network licence.
- Worked Answers
Our subjects
- › Criminology
- › Economics
- › Geography
- › Health & Social Care
- › Psychology
- › Sociology
- › Teaching & learning resources
- › Student revision workshops
- › Online student courses
- › CPD for teachers
- › Livestreams
- › Teaching jobs
Boston House, 214 High Street, Boston Spa, West Yorkshire, LS23 6AD Tel: 01937 848885
- › Contact us
- › Terms of use
- › Privacy & cookies
© 2002-2024 Tutor2u Limited. Company Reg no: 04489574. VAT reg no 816865400.
Exams, Essays and Short Answer Questions
Table of Contents
Last Updated on May 10, 2024 by Karl Thompson
This page provides the following information:
An Overview of the Three Sociology Exam Papers
![20 mark essay structure sociology 20 mark essay structure sociology](https://i0.wp.com/revisesociology.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/a-level-exam-summary-postera3.png?resize=840%2C1188&ssl=1)
There are three exam papers for AQA A-level sociology. All papers are two hours long, all papers have a total of 6 questions (the format of some of these repeat across papers), and all papers are marked out of a total of 80.
For more advice on each paper and examples of specific questions and answer, please scroll down!
![20 mark essay structure sociology 20 mark essay structure sociology](https://i0.wp.com/edumsg.org/assets/img/partners/promo/b6/2b/b62bdef5d257c68a024ac06289653015.png?w=840&ssl=1)
A Level Sociology Paper 1: Education with Theory and Methods
General advice for answering questions on paper 1, 10 mark ‘applying material from the item analyse questions’, 20 mark methods in context questions , 30 mark education essay questions , 10 mark theory and/ or methods outline and explain (no item) 10 mark questions, a level sociology paper 2: topics , families and households.
Examples of possible 10 mark questions for AQA A-Level sociology: families and households topic
Beliefs in Society (aka Religion)
Outline and explain two ways in which religion might promote social change
Outline and explain two arguments against the view that sociology is a science (10)
Applying material from the item, analyse two reasons for gender differences in the membership of religious organisations (10)
Evaluate the view that religious beliefs and organisations are barriers to social change (20)
Evaluate the pluralist view of the ownership and control of the media (20)
Global Development
Outline and explain two criticisms other theories of development might make of dependency theory (10)
Evaluate explanations of development and underdevelopment put forward by Dependency Theorists (20)
A Level Sociology Paper 3: Crime and Deviance with Theory and Methods
General advice on answering all questions, 4 and 6 mark ‘outline and explain questions’, 30 mark crime and deviance essays , as level sociology resources .
There are two 90 minute papers at the end of the AS year, and three two hour papers at the end of the A Level Year. Remember that if you do the AS qualification, your grades don’t count towards the A level, you are reassessed in a slightly different format on all of the first year material, along with all of the second year material as part of the A level exams at the end of the two years of study.
Related Posts
Assessment Objectives in AS and A Level Sociology – It’s useful to know how the marks are distributed in the exam – there are complex question by question breakdowns on the specification, but to simplify it – Knowledge and Understanding (of concepts, theories, research) is worth about 50% of the marks in the exam, the other 50% are for Application, Analysis and Evaluation.
Sociology Revision Resources for Sale
![20 mark essay structure sociology Mega Bundle Cover](https://i0.wp.com/revisesociology.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/Mega-Bundle-Cover.png?resize=212%2C300&ssl=1)
Overall the bundle contains:
Sociology Teaching Resources for Sale
![20 mark essay structure sociology sociology teaching resources](https://i0.wp.com/revisesociology.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/sociology-teaching-resources.png?resize=212%2C300&ssl=1)
Included in the bundle is a clearly structured 50 page gapped student work-pack, six PowerPoints* to structure the 10 lessons, 10 detailed lesson plans outlining a range of learning activities you can use with students, a massive list of relevant contemporary resources with links, and numerous lesson activities including introductions, plenaries and links to some Socrative quizzes.
Share this:
AQA A-level sociology exam technique
Quick reply, related discussions.
- Websites to study psychology and sociology
- What are some good sociology revision resources?
- A* sociology A-Level tips
- A level Revision
- Is my revision/memorisation technique good?
- Alevel Revision
- Which a level is fairly easy to understand the technique of the exam
- A level combo
- How do you revise A level Sociology?
- Durham - Finance BSc
- 6 weeks till my A-levels!! - my GYG blog :))
- How can I achieve A-A* in a-levels!!!!!
- About psychology sociology law a level
- Is my revision/memorisation technique good??
- a level study : BLOG
- has anyone made a big academic comeback in a levels ? year 13
- Sociology A-Level
- About wjec level 3 criminology
- A level Aqa Psych or OCR Law
Last reply 2 days ago
Last reply 1 month ago
Last reply 2 months ago
Posted 2 months ago
Posted 3 months ago
Last reply 3 months ago
Last reply 4 months ago
Posted 6 months ago
Last reply 7 months ago
Last reply 8 months ago
Posted 10 months ago
Articles for you
![20 mark essay structure sociology Students react after A-level Sociology Paper 2 on 4 June 2024](https://static.thestudentroom.co.uk/cms/sites/default/files/2024-04/A-level%20sociology%20react%204%20June.png)
Students react after A-level Sociology Paper 2 on 4 June 2024
![20 mark essay structure sociology Students react after A-level Sociology Paper 3 on 11 June 2024](https://static.thestudentroom.co.uk/cms/sites/default/files/2024-05/A-level%20sociology%20react%2011%20june.png)
Students react after A-level Sociology Paper 3 on 11 June 2024
![20 mark essay structure sociology Students react after A-level Sociology Paper 1 on 20 May 2024](https://static.thestudentroom.co.uk/cms/sites/default/files/2024-04/A-level%20sociology%20react%2020%20May.png)
Students react after A-level Sociology Paper 1 on 20 May 2024
![20 mark essay structure sociology How to revise for A-level Sociology exams: AQA explains what to do](https://static.thestudentroom.co.uk/cms/sites/default/files/2019-04/Last-minute%20A-level%20Sociology%20revision%20a%20crammers%20guide.jpg)
How to revise for A-level Sociology exams: AQA explains what to do
![](http://sektorel.online/777/templates/cheerup/res/banner1.gif)
IMAGES
COMMENTS
This post offers some advice on how you might plan and write essays in the A level sociology exams. Essays will either be 20 or 30 marks depending on the paper but the general advice for answering them remains the same: Use the PEEC method for the main paragraphs: POINT - EXPLAIN - EXPAND - CRITICISE. Use the overall structure below ...
How to structure a 20 mark answer. This video tutorial focuses on - 1. Reading the question and the item and starting to plan your answer. 2. Writing an intr...
Specimen Paper 3 June 2016. Contributions should include those of at least 3 major theorists for each perspective. You can also use contributions from across the specification. contribution, explain the contribution and outline how it has contributed to our understanding of society. Finally a judgement on it's effectiveness should be made.
20 Mark Essay - Mark Scheme Marks Descriptor 17-20 Sound, conceptually detailed knowledge of a range of relevant material, good sophisticated understanding of the question and of the presented material. Appropriate material applied ... Exam Structure; Sociology gender and media;
This video discusses in detail how to maximise your marks when completing a 20 mark essay in Sociology for your AQA A Level exams.
Below is a pared-down general mark-scheme for 20 and 30 mark sociology essays, adapted from the AQA's more specific mark-schemes from the 2016-17 specimen A level papers. /30 /20 Descriptor 25-30 17-20 Sound, conceptually detailed knowledge of a range of relevant material, good sophisticated understanding of the question and of the presented material. Appropriate material
How to structure a 20 mark answer. This video tutorial focuses on - Reading the question and the item and starting to plan your answer. - Writing an introdu...
A-level (7192) Paper 2: Topics in Sociology. Marked answers from students for questions from the June 2022 exams. Supporting commentary is provided to help you understand how marks are awarded and how students can improve performance. Version 1.0 November 2023.
Essential AQA A-Level Sociology. How to Maximise Student Performance in 20 & 30 Mark Essays. This course provides comprehensive guidance and resources to support the teaching of effective exam technique for the 20 and 30-mark questions in AQA A-Level Sociology. 2-3 hours learning time.
A-Level Sociology . Theory and Methods ; Education ; Family and Households ... You will find a 20 mark question on all three papers of the A-Level exam, however, Methods in context question will be dealt with separately. 20 mark questions are essay style questions and should be answered in continuous prose and paragraphs. You should take around ...
They always have an item, so you will have some basic AO1 to get you going. Where are they? Paper 1: One 30 mark question on education. Paper 2: Two 20 mark questions, one on family and one on media. Paper 3: One 30 mark question on crime & deviance and one 20 mark question on theory & methods. How do I answer them?
Evaluate the usefulness of interactionist approaches to our understanding of society. Evaluate the view that structural theories are limited in their understanding of society today. Evaluate the view that sociology should be value free in its research. Evaluate the view that sociology is, and should be, a scientific discipline.
An example of a top band answer (17/20) to a possible question on the AQA's 7192/2 topics in sociology paper (families option, section A) This is an example of a 17/20 top band answer to the above question, as marked by the AQA. In the pictures below, I've highlighted all of the candidate's evaluations in red to show you the balance of ...
A. username4006618. 14. To get full marks, you need a perfect essay structure. You need 5 paragraphs in total for a 20 marker. First paragraph is your introduction, then your three points, then your conclusion. In your introduction, you must have a clear thesis and clearly state what you are going to argue,and you must also quote the item.
In this video, we show you how to structure the 20 mark essay in Component 1, Section A of the OCR Sociology A-Level
Then there is a 20 mark applying methods to education essay question, and a 10 mark (no item) theory or methods question. Paper 2: Topics in Sociology (the main options are families and beliefs). You answer one section from part A and one from part B, so two sections in total.
Just moved this thread over to the correct sub-forum. Some of the questions will come with an item and it's important that you answer the question and refer to the item throughout. In terms of structure, you would want between 3/4 PEEAL (Point, Evidence, Example, Analysis, Link) paragraphs for the 20 marker. The 30 marker has a similar structure to the 20 marker but you'll be expected to ...
A video outlining the key skills, including structure, paragraphs, use of studies, concepts, examples and evidence. Focus here is on the 30 mark essay questi...
It depends on how concisely you can write though, but remember you'll only have about half an hour for each 20-mark essay and 40 minutes for a 30-mark one. ... sociology paper structure help. Sociology. 2. 1. Posted 10 months ago. NEC A-level Sociology assignments. Sociology. 1. 0. Articles for you.