How do I structure a 30-mark extended essay answer? (OCR Geography A2 level)

The first thing to do is make a plan. Spend 5-10 minutes doing this to make sure you fully understand what the question is asking. Briefly write what you want to include in your introduction, main body and conclusion. Do a quick mind map of ideas that you have for the essay. The introduction should be clear and concise. You should define the key terms of the question and explain what it means and why it is important. You should structure your introduction to show clearly how your essay will form (i.e. what it will include to explain one side of the argument and then the other). It is also important to outline your thesis (main argument) here. The main body should be around 4-5 paragraphs. It is best to start with a paragraph agreeing with the statement of the question. Each paragraph should begin with a point with evidence and analysis from a case study and if you can, a theory or a case study from a recent news article; this shows that you study for your subject outside of your lessons. Each paragraph should begin with a “top” and end with a “tail” – this means that you should start and end each paragraph referring to the question and your main thesis to make your argument clear and analytical. Each paragraph should flow well onto the next one. This requires planning to effectively structure it and provide a sense that you are developing your argument throughout the essay. The conclusion should draw together your main points from each paragraph and refer to the question and your thesis. To further develop your essay, highlight a debate or problem linking to the question; for example, if the question is asking about flood management, then perhaps mention in the conclusion that management may have to be changed in the future due to threats such as a growing population or climate change.