Essay / Longer Answer Writing Technique

Attack the question: be a sniper not a machine gunist

Planning & researching your answer should take you as long, if not longer, than the
actual writing of it!

Have you revised a mnemonic to help you plan your essay?

Are there any appropriate diagrams to be included?

Introduction – be original!
Point & Paragraph – new line? Each paragraph should contain the following:

Explanation – explain the significance of this point in answering this question (the
transmission mechanism explains the logical chain of reasoning and how one
gets from A to B)

Analyse the issue by exploring the causes and consequences

Diagram if appropriate to help explain and analyse

Evidence – do you have any supporting facts to give weight to your argument?

Example – do you have any appropriate examples to help with your explanation?

Evaluation – MCPEST HOWEVER!

Conclusion – answer the question!

Think………………. PP EAD EE E !

a) Using an example and diagram(s), explain the Law of Diminishing Returns.(10)

b) Using examples and diagram(s), explain & evaluate the cost advantages large
firms have over smaller firms (15)

One cost advantage large firms have over smaller firms are financial economies of
scale . Large firms are able to buy raw materials more cheaply (bulk buying) which
helps to reduce large firms’ costs making them more price competitive and
profitable. For example, Tesco unit or average costs & therefore prices are much
lower than local convenience stores which allow it to produce on a lower SRAC
curve 2 (see diagram b). Prices on average are 20% cheaper in Tesco compared to
the average local independent store (i) However, lower unit costs from bulk
buying is not achieved from the firm being more productive or efficient but simply
from its stronger negotiating position of its size (unlike technical economies of
scale). What’s more, local smaller stores are able to exist and compete because of
their “convenience”, size and location.

(i) Z.Londis Mercury newspaper 7/10/2016