How can I improve my grade when writing a psychology essay?

One of the first things you can do before even trying to start an essay is looking at the marking criteria to see what the marker wants from you and what your essay needs to show. For example, in an AQA mark scheme for paper one in June 2017 one question asks you to describe and evaluate interference as an explanation for forgetting. By looking at the marking criteria you can see the way to achieve top marks. This is by making sure what you have written is correct, that you have evaluated when appropriate, your essay is well structured and you use the correct terminology. Now knowing this you can look at your past essays and see where you have gone wrong. Is your essay clear? Are you using the correct terminology? Is the information correct? Are you evaluating enough? With this in mind there are various ways you can improve your essays. Firstly, when you start writing an essay make sure you plan what you want to say. It would not take a lot of time but can make a big difference between which grades you achieve. It also gives you the opportunity to think about the terminology to use and how to start writing the essay. Next, make sure the information you include is correct. Then evaluate as much as you can. If you’re using a study in support of a statement ask yourself ‘why it is a good supporting study’. Make sure you talk of its advantages. Another way to ensure you’re achieving top marks is to provide counterpoints. Show that you realise the study isn’t perfect, for example if it’s a lab study it would lack ecological validity. Then consider whether any studies have made up for this weakness, for example a case study which also supports the point you are making. This way you are also showing you have a very wide range of knowledge of both the topic and the studies. Finally, another way to improve your essay is to analyse it yourself a few days after completing it. With the marking criteria in mind look at where you went well and what could be improved. Look at the top level and ask yourself what you could do to your essay to achieve it and then edit it where appropriate.