Topic Three (0.3): How to Write an Effective Essay for Paper 4: Depth Study

Introduction Icon.png Introduction

The purpose of this topic is to help you to understand the more demanding requirements of an effective essay at this level.

Interact Icon.png Essay-Writing Guidance

  1. Plan your answer before you start to write and check that you have answered the question. Ask yourself ‘have I answered the question?’ If the answer is ‘no’, you need to re-draft your plan at that point. Don’t wait until you are halfway through writing your essay before you realise you have drifted off the topic.

Ask exactly what the question wants you to do. Do you have to explain, assess, make a judgement, or something else? For example, if the question asks, ‘How far…?’ or ‘To what extent…?’ it is asking you to assess the evidence and make a judgement.

Once you have decided what you need to do, think about what material you should include in your answer. Be selective and choose what is relevant to your assessment or judgement. Only include evidence that backs up your ideas, gives a clear example or adds to your argument. Don’t just include content for the sake of it – it absolutely must be relevant to the question.

  1. You must plan and write a balanced answer. Essentially, all the essay questions at both AS and A Level ask you to argue ‘for or against’ a hypothesis. They will look something like this:

To what extent does Stalin’s use of his position as General Secretary of the Communist

Party explain his rise to power by 1928?

‘The main reason for Hitler’s appointment as Chancellor was the popularity of Nazi ideas.’ How far do you agree?

Your job, therefore, is to find evidence from your course for both sides of the argument i.e. both ‘for’ and ‘against’ the hypothesis. You absolutely must have evidence for both sides – not just one side. The evidence goes down on your plan, divided into ‘for’ and ‘against’ the hypothesis. Whichever side you end with more evidence for, or more convincing evidence for, that is the side you will conclude is most persuasive.

It is usually better to put up the side of your argument that you will oppose first. You outline the ‘other’ side of the argument and show that you understand the opposing view. Then you switch over to the other side of the hypothesis, i.e. ‘your’ argument, and use powerful evidence to back it up. Remember: this is all about argument and analysis.

The chief examiner comments in his report on the question indicated above:

‘What really differentiated the best responses from the weaker responses was the candidates’ ability to keep a focus on the ‘main’ reason for his appointment as Chancellor and gave careful consideration as to why the chosen reason was the principal one, and not others. Less successful responses did suggest a range of relevant factors, but were very reluctant to give any indication of which they felt was the most important and why.’

  1. This shows the importance of keeping your focus on answering the question and explaining why one factor is the most compelling. The best way to ensure you do this is to make sure each paragraph’s first sentence is making a point which directly answers the question.

Any History examiner will tell you that, every year, they give low marks to students who do not answer the question. It is clear that the student has worked hard on the essay and it may be well written and structured, but it is impossible to give it a good grade because it simply doesn’t answer the question.

Why does it happen? The most common reason is writing answers that are too narrative. This doesn’t work because academic history is about an argument, not the story. You need to create an argument based on the question and select the correct evidence to back up your argument. This evidence will be drawn from your course content. Less frequently, the student hasn’t read the question carefully and has missed some important information.

  1. You do need an introduction for Paper 4 essays. This should set out your line of argument and indicate which supporting and opposing points you will consider. It is like an essay plan written in a paragraph, to map out your argument and establish a balanced approach from the start.
  2. You must back up your assertions with specific evidence. This depends on you having a clear detailed knowledge of the relevant events. You will see from the mark schemes that you can’t get beyond Level 2 for your Paper 4 essays if your work ‘lacks adequate factual support’. Level 4 and above specify ‘detailed and accurate factual material’. In Paper 3, half of the marks awarded depend on your ability to ‘Recall, select and use historical knowledge appropriately, and communicate knowledge and understanding of History in a clear and effective manner.’
  3. To acquire this depth of knowledge you need to:
    • read widely;
    • take effective notes.

Following the Wolsey Hall course, as detailed in each topic, will ensure a good range of opportunities to gather the necessary knowledge. However, do be curious and look around for extra sources of information.

Your reading will be much more beneficial if you record it effectively. Always bear in mind the focus of the topic you are considering and look for useful and interesting details which will help you to write detailed answers.

  1. At the end of the essay your conclusion should sum up all the main points of argument and then should confirm your judgement. Don’t sit on the fence, no matter how tempting it is. The conclusion should mirror your introduction and the main points of argument in the body of the essay, so the work ends up as a coherent, clear argument from introduction to conclusion.

You should explicitly address the wording of the question – so show just how far you agree that the main reason for Hitler’s appointment as Chancellor was the popularity of Nazi ideas, or the extent to which the named factor is the best explanation for Stalin’s rise to power, and explain why.

Skills Icon.png Tasks

  • Recap points 1-7 above in a sentence each.
  • What is written above is essentially an essay in answer to the question ‘How do I write a Paper 4 essay?’ Which aspects of the advice have been followed? Which haven’t? Can you explain why?
  • Look at the key words in bold type and check against the mark scheme for Paper 4. Which level does each relate to?
  • You will find additional guidance on essay-writing in this document:

Download READ – A Level Essay Guide for Paper 4