'Economic successes was the most important reason for Conservative electoral dominance in the period from 1951-64.' How far do you agree?

When given an essay question, the best place to start is by reading the question carefully, by picking out key words and any assumptions the question appears to be making. In this particular example, the phrase 'how far do you agree' implies that different factors contributing to Conservative electoral dominance must be identified, discussed and compared to the factor of ‘economic success’ picked out by the question in deciding relative importance to other factors.Next, it is important to plan and decide on a structure. There are different ways of approaching this, but the basic framework (an introduction, the main body, and a conclusion) should be followed. In this example, the nature of the question dictates the structure. By suggesting ‘economic successes' were the most important, it is best to start with this particular factor first in the main body of the essay, before moving on to discussing three other aspects such as divisions within the Labour Party, Conservative leadership and Conservative social policies. This encourages comparison to be made within each paragraph with Conservative economic successes as the factor given in the question, thus avoiding the tendency to write a simple narrative.To start writing, the introduction should include a brief exploration of what the question is asking, and give the examiner a sense of the direction your essay will take. For the structure of the main paragraphs, it is important to keep the content analytical and linked to the question. The most effective way of achieving this is by following the same structure of ‘PEA’ within each paragraph. ‘PEA’ reminds you to first make a Point, next give Evidence, and then Analyse this information and compare to other factors or themes, ensuring you link back to the question and make your argument. For example, in assessing the importance of economic successes, the limitations of ‘stop-go economics’ which failed to control inflation and hindered industrial growth leaving Britain other European countries such as Italy, could be emphasised. This implies that another factor such as the divisions of the Labour Party between the fundamentalists and the revisionists was perhaps more important in determining Conservative electoral dominance which you would perhaps next discuss in the essay. Lastly, the conclusion must clearly and concisely state your argument which would have already been developing throughout the essay by directly answering the question.