Outline and explain two key concepts of Radical Feminism

In planning an answer to this question I would suggest a brief introduction to feminism from a sociological point of view, including how and when the first waves of feminism came about. This would provide a starting point into looking at how radical feminism is characterised compared to other strands of feminism and would focus the answer onto the key concepts of the approach. The answer should then lead onto describing the two concepts of radical feminism that the student feels confident in explaining, for example how radical feminists believe patriarchy is pervasive and therefore a political issue and the concepts of supremacists and separatists. A description should then be given of each concept in separate paragraphs. To add to the answer I would then suggest the inclusion of a sociological study by a radical feminists that shows the appliance of these concepts, for example the findings of Shulamith Firestone (1970) on Biological Oppression. So far the essay includes description but lacks analysis and evaluation which is needed to meet all aspects of the mark scheme. I would therefore suggest adding an evaluative point of the whole theory such as the liberal feminist criticism of the perspective, offering an alternative viewpoint. Finally the answer needs to be analytical and would achieve this by concluding with an overall point summarising the answer in relation to the question. This is one of the harder parts to the answer and becomes especially difficult in answering 20/30 mark essays but is very important.