Scaffold for iden fy
Iden fy ‐ recognise and name
Objects or aspects to be iden fied:
Points to note:
Topic sentence that names ob‐
jects or aspects as asked in the
ques on
Aspect or object
Brief descrip on and example:
May need to include examples
to illustrate you recognise what
each item or object is
Aspect or object
This should only be a brief
overview of the topic no more
than one example per item
Brief descrip on and example:
There is no need to include a
concluding paragraph
Aspect or object
Brief descrip on and example:
Scaffold for define
Define ‐ state meaning and iden fy essen al quali es
Objects or aspects to be iden fied:
Points to note:
Topic sentence states the
meaning of the term in the
ques on
Essen al quality
Brief descrip on and example:
Essen al quality
Brief descrip on and example:
May need to include examples
to illustrate the essen al
quali es of the term or objects
being defined
This should only be a brief
overview of the term no more
than one example per item
Essen al quality
Brief descrip on and example:
There is no need to include a
concluding paragraph
Scaffold for outline
Outline ‐ state in general terms; indicate the main features
Issues to be outlined:
Points to note:
Statement of issue in the
ques on
Preview of each characteris c
or feature
Characteris c or feature
Brief descrip on and example:
Topic sentence at the beginning
of each paragraph that states
main features followed by a
descrip on and examples to
illustrate point
Use linking words such as:
Characteris c or feature
Brief descrip on and example:
Characteris c or feature
For instance, for example,
including, and such as to
introduce your examples
This should only be a brief
overview of the topic no more
than two sentences per feature
Brief descrip on and example:
There is no need to include a
concluding paragraph
Characteris c or feature
Brief descrip on and example:
Scaffold for describe
Describe ‐ provide characteris cs and features
Issues to be described
Points to note:
Statement of issue
Preview of each characteris c
or feature
Characteris c or feature
Descrip on and example:
Topic sentence at the beginning
of each paragraph that states
characteris cs or features
followed by a descrip on and
examples to illustrate
Characteris c or feature
Descrip on and example:
Use linking words such as; for
instance, for example, including
to introduce your examples
Characteris c or feature
Descrip on and example:
Conclusion:
Brief summary of main
characteris cs and features.
Not necessary if you have given
a thorough descrip on in the
body of your answer
Scaffold for compare
Compare ‐ show how things are similar or different
Issues to be compared
Points to note:
Iden fy the things to be com‐
pared from the ques on.
Similari es
Point:
Elabora on and support:
Preview each point you will
raise.
Topic sentence at the beginning
of each point followed by ex‐
plana on and relevant exam‐
ples to illustrate point
Point:
Elabora on and support:
Point:
Elabora on and support:
Use linking words between
each point such as; also, in ad‐
di on, similarly, another simi‐
larity is
Differences
Point:
Elabora on and support:
Point:
Elabora on and support:
“For instance”, “this can be
seen in “’ An example of this is”
and ‘for example 'can be used
to start sentences that provide
examples for your points.
Point:
Elabora on and support:
Conclusion and judgement:
Must make a judgement relat‐
ed to the similari es and differ‐
ences in the topic.
Scaffold for discuss
Discuss ‐ iden fy issues and provide points for and / or against
Issues to be discussed:
Points to note:
Point for:
Statement of issue from your
point of view (without using
“I”) making your preferred side
clear.
Elabora on and support:
Preview each point.
Point for:
Topic sentence at the beginning
of each paragraph followed by
explana on and examples to
illustrate point.
Elabora on and support:
Point against:
Elabora on and support:
Point against:
Elabora on and support:
Use linking words such as;
therefore, because, however,
for instance, for example
Brief summary of points for and
against
Conclusion
Draw conclusions regarding
support for and against issue
Scaffold for dis nguish
Dis nguish ‐ recognise or note / indicate as being dis nct or
different from; to note differences between
Issues to be discussed:
Points to note:
Statement of issue.
Preview each point of
Differences
difference.
Point
Elabora on and support:
Topic sentence at the beginning
of each point followed by
Point for:
Elabora on and support:
explana on and examples to
illustrate point.
Point for:
Elabora on and support:
Use linking words between
each point such as : also, in
Point against:
addi on, similarly.
Elabora on and support:
Point against:
Elabora on and support:
Point against:
Elabora on and support:
Conclusion and judgement
For instance and for example
can be used to start sentences
that provide examples for your
points.
Use linking words such as: on
the other hand, whereas, in
contrast to, however
You can again use for instance,
for example to start sentences
that provide examples for your
points.
Scaffold for analyse
Analyse ‐ iden fy components and the rela onship between
them; draw out and relate implica ons.
Topic to be analysed:
Points to note:
Statement of topic taken from
the ques on
Component
Elabora on and support:
Component
Elabora on and support
Preview of components and
their rela onships.
Topic sentence at the beginning
of each paragraph
followed by explana on and
examples to illustrate each
component
Rela onship
Point:
Elabora on and support:
Component
Elabora on and support:
Use linking words between
each point such as: therefore,
thus, as a result, leading to, to
illustrate the rela onship be‐
tween each of the components
Component
Elabora on and support
Iden fying and explaining the
rela onship between the vari‐
ous components is essen al in
answering these ques ons.
Rela onship
Point:
Elabora on and support:
Implica ons of the rela onship between each of these components.
The implica ons of the rela‐
onship (what happens / what
effect it has) can be dealt with
in each of the paragraphs or as
a concluding paragraph.
Scaffold for assess
Assess ‐ make a judgement of value, quality, outcomes, results
or size.
Issues to be assessed:
Points to note:
Statement of topic to be
assessed which reflects your
view point or judgement.
Either
Point for (advantages)
Elabora on and support:
Preview of points for and
against and concluding
judgement.
Point for (advantages)
Elabora on and support:
Topic sentence at the beginning
of each paragraph followed by
Point for (advantages)
explana on and examples to
illustrate point.
Elabora on and support:
Or:
Point against (disadvantages)
Elabora on and support:
Point against (disadvantages)
Elabora on and support needs
to include informa on about
the value, quality or outcomes
of the point being discussed.
This can also refer to nega ve
cri cism about the point.
Elabora on and support:
Point against (disadvantages)
Elabora on and support:
Conclusion and judgement
Use linking words such as:
therefore, because, however,
for, instance, for example, as a
result
Informa on used to make a
judgement needs to be
explained in your elabora on
and then examples given to
support it.
Must make a judgement at the
end. Either for or against the
argument based on the value,
quality or outcomes of the
topic.
Scaffold for jus fy
Jus fy ‐ support an argument, opinion or conclusion
Argument or point of view:
Points to note:
Statement of the argument
showing your opinion on it.
Point for
Elabora on and support:
Preview of each point of argu‐
ment.
Point for
Topic sentence at the beginning
of each paragraph followed by
explana on and examples to
illustrate point.
Elabora on and support:
Point against
Elabora on and support:
Use linking words such as:
therefore, because, however,
for instance, for example, to
build your argument and clearly
link examples to points.
Point against
Elabora on and support:
Conclusion
Brief summary of points of
argument and a concluding
statement to restate your point
of view.
Scaffold for evaluate
Evaluate ‐ make a judgement based on criteria; determine the
value of
Issue to be evaluated:
Points to note:
Statement of topic to be
evaluated..
Point for
Elabora on and support:
Point for
Elabora on and support:
Point against
Preview of points for and
against your judgement
(without using “I”)
Topic sentence at the beginning
of each paragraph followed by
explana on and examples to
illustrate point.
Points could also be advantages
and disadvantages instead of
for and against.
Elabora on and support:
Use linking words such as:
therefore, because, however,
for, instance, for example, as a
result
Point against
Elabora on and support:
Criteria used to make a
judgement could be used
during the points for and
against the argument to
illustrate these more clearly.
Criteria used to assess points for and against:
Brief summary of points for and
against.
Conclusion and judgement:
Relate judgement at the end
either for OR against the
argument.
Scaffold for cri cally analyse
Cri cally analyse ‐ add a degree or level of accuracy, depth,
knowledge and understanding, logic, ques oning, reflec on and
quality to analyse.
Analyse ‐ iden fy components and the rela onship between
them; draw out and relate implica ons.
Topic to be analysed:
Points to note:
Statement of topic which
reflects how deeply you have
thought about the ques on.
Component
Elabora on and support:
Preview of components and
their rela onships.
Component
Elabora on and support
Topic sentence at the beginning
of each paragraph
followed by explana on and
examples to illustrate each
component
Rela onship
Point:
Elabora on and support:
Component
Elabora on and support:
Component
Elabora on and support
Rela onship
Point:
Elabora on and support:
Implica ons of the rela onship between each of these components.
Use linking words between
each point such as: therefore,
thus, as a result, leading to, to
illustrate the rela onship be‐
tween each of the components
Iden fying and explaining the
rela onship between the vari‐
ous components is essen al in
answering these ques ons.
The implica ons of the rela‐
onship (what happens / what
effect it has) can be dealt with
in each of the paragraphs or as
a concluding paragraph.
Scaffold for cri cally evaluate
Cri cally evaluate ‐ add a degree or level of accuracy, depth,
knowledge and understanding, logic, ques oning, reflec on and
quality to evaluate.
Evaluate ‐ make a judgement based on criteria; determine the
value of
Points to note:
Issue to be evaluated:
Statement of topic to be
cri cally evaluated.
Preview of points for and
against and concluding
Point for
judgement (without using “I”)
Elabora on and support:
Point for
Topic sentence at the beginning
of each paragraph followed by
explana on and examples to
illustrate point.
Elabora on and support:
Point against
Points could also be advantages
and disadvantages instead of
for and against.
Elabora on and support:
Point against
Use linking words such as:
therefore, because, however,
for, instance, for example, as a
result
Elabora on and support:
Criteria used to assess points for and against:
Criteria used to make a
judgement could be used
during the points for and
against the argument to
illustrate these more clearly.
Brief summary of points for and
against.
Conclusion and judgement:
Relate judgement at the end
either for OR against the
argument.