A Level Business Studies: How to improve

How to improve your technique: some general principles

• Essays need a structure
  • jot down a simple plan
  • make sure you know where the essay is going before you start writing, i.e. your conclusion
• Essays must be a response to a specific title
  • avoid writing everything you know on a given topic, irrelevant material gains no marks
  • respond to the command words in the question
• Do not forget the essay title
  • refer back to the question regularly - probably at the end of every paragraph
  • every paragraph should answer the question set, aim for one theme per paragraph
• Avoid one-sided essays
  • usually the only questions that A level examiners will set are ones which can provoke differing viewpoints
  • always consider what your argument depends upon, i.e. the factors or assumptions inherent in your argument
• Demonstrate your depth of knowledge
  • analyse the question with care to show your understanding of the subject content
  • avoid paragraphs of textbook description
  • use appropriate graphs which must be accurate
  • use topical examples to back up your points
  • make references to other writers if appropriate
• Remember the higher order skills of analysis and evaluation
  • break down the material in a way that helps reveal the issues involved
  • use relevant business concepts to explore causes and effects
  • examine arguments critically
  • state which arguments you believe to be the most important and why
• Try to please the examiners!
  • use appropriate concepts and terminology
  • avoid slang e.g. 'The firm will go bust...'
  • be concise and relevant
  • leave enough time to write a conclusion

The essay plan - a suggested model