How should I answer a 30 mark question in order to get a high mark?

The first thing that you need to do is check that you are answering the question! This means writing an answer that directly refers to the words of the question. Its this that makes the difference between a B and an A or even an A star. The next thing to do is to know what your meant to put in each section of the question. In part I you are expected to demonstrate your understand and knowledge of the topic, for example, on question about the ontological argument you might talk about St Anselm's second formulation of the argument, whereby "God is that which exists so truly that he cannot be thought not to exist," and explaining how this leads to a strong a priori conclusion for the existence of God. In part two is where you can have fun! They will give you a statement for example "the ontological argument provides proof that God exists." You need to state a view in the first line of your answer. is it a proof of God's existence? why or why not? From here you need to elaborate - expand and provide evidence for your argument, then critique it before responding and demonstrating how the critique is invalid. Then conclude stating your conclusion and summarising your argument. If you can do all of this in 35 minutes, and evidence your claims you will be well on the way to getting an A.