30 and 20 Markers- Everything you need to know

Use the Point – Explain – Expand – Criticise method (PEEC), demonstrate knowledge, application
and evaluation skills, and use the item to make your points!

30/20 mark paras only!

The Basics:
Allow yourself enough time – 1.5 minutes per mark = 45 minutes for a 30 mark essay.
Read the Question and the item, what is it asking you to do?
Do a rough plan (5-10 mins) – initially this should be ‘arguments and evidence’ for and ‘against’ the
views in the question, and a few thoughts on overall evaluations/ a conclusion
Write the essay (35 mins)– aim to make 4 in depth arguments. Try to make one point at least stem
from the item, ideally the first point.
Try to stick to the following structure in the picture above!
Conclusion (allow 2 mins minimum) – an easy way to do this is to refer to the item – do you agree
with the view or not, or say which of the points you’ve made is the strongest/ weakest and on balance
is the view in the question sensible or not?

The AOS
Examiners want you to display knowledge of the AOS. Always keep these in mind when writing your
paragraphs.

AO1: Knowledge and Understanding

You can demonstrate these by:
- Using sociological concepts
- Using sociological perspectives
- Using research studies
- Showing knowledge of contemporary trends and news events
- Knowledge can also be synoptic, or be taken from other topics
- knowledge has to be relevant to the question to get marks!
AO2: Application
You can demonstrate application by:
- Using the item – refer to the item!!!
- Clearly showing how the material you have selected is relevant to the question, by using the
words in the question
- Making sure knowledge selected is relevant to the question
AO3: Analysis and Evaluation
‘Assess’ is basically the same as Evaluation
You can demonstrate analysis by….
- Considering an argument from a range of perspectives – showing how one perspective might
interpret the same evidence in a different way, for example.
- Developing points – by showing why perspectives argue what they do, for example.
- Comparing and contrasting ideas to show their differences and similarities
- You can show how points relate to other points in the essay.
You can demonstrate evaluation by…
- Discussing the strengths and limitations of a theory/ perspective or research method.
- You should evaluate each point, but you can also do overall evaluations from other
perspectives before your conclusion.
- Most people focus on weaknesses, but you should also focus on strengths.
- Weighing up which points are the most useful in a conclusion.

How to structure your answer

X4
 Point- Your first sentence must state your point
Explain- you need to develop your point. This is where your AO1 comes in
Evidence/Example- support your point with evidence or examples. This is where your A02
comes in
Link- You need to be able to link the point you have made back to the essay question
Evaluate- critically analyse your evaluation, either for or against your point- needs to be
relevant. This is where your A03 comes in

TIP: when structuring your essay, it is good to write with structure. Examiners may like the
flow of your essay. This means writing one para e.g on functionalist view of education and
then using Marxist view to criticise that argument in your evaluation point, after that you
would start your next paragraph on the Marxist view of education. THIS MAY NOT
ALWAYS APPLY, but use where you can.

Item B4

Marxist sociologists tend to take a negative view of the nature of religion and its role in society. For
example, Marx regards religion as the product of the alienation that is found in all class societies. In
his view, it's role is to act as an ideology that keeps the proletariat subordinated. Religion acts like a
drug to dull the pain of exploitation and oppression. However, religion may also be a channel
through which people protest against these conditions and make demands for change.

Applying material from item B4 and your own knowledge, evaluate Marxist views of the nature and
role of religion.

Using the advice above, complete a detailed plan for this question