How to write a good
geography essay?
How to analyze this question?
“Extrusive vulcanicity along a destructive plate
boundary is more hazardous than along a
constructive plate boundary.”
What are the conditions needed for extrusive
vulcanicity to occur? Account for the above
statement.
Pg.105 Q1
How to analyze this question?
How many parts are there?
“Extrusive vulcanicity along a destructive plate
boundary is more hazardous than along a
constructive plate boundary.”
What are the conditions needed for extrusive
vulcanicity to occur? Account for the above
statement.
How many parts are there?
“Extrusive vulcanicity along a destructive plate
boundary is more hazardous than along a
constructive plate boundary.”
1. What are the conditions needed for extrusive
vulcanicity to occur? 2. Account for the above
statement.
What are the question words?
“Extrusive vulcanicity along a destructive plate
boundary is more hazardous than along a
constructive plate boundary.”
What are the conditions needed for extrusive
vulcanicity to occur? Account for the above
statement.
What are the question words?
“Extrusive vulcanicity along a destructive plate
boundary is more hazardous than along a
constructive plate boundary.”
What are the conditions needed for extrusive
vulcanicity to occur? Account for the above
statement.
What are the keywords?
“Extrusive vulcanicity along a destructive plate
boundary is more hazardous than along a
constructive plate boundary.”
What are the conditions needed for extrusive
vulcanicity to occur? Account for the above
statement.
What are the keywords?
“Extrusive vulcanicity along a destructive plate
boundary is more hazardous than along a
constructive plate boundary.”
What are the conditions needed for extrusive
vulcanicity to occur? Account for the above
statement.
Re-phrase the question
“Extrusive vulcanicity along a destructive plate
boundary is more hazardous than along a
constructive plate boundary.”
What are the conditions needed for extrusive
vulcanicity to occur? Account for the above
statement.
Re-phrase the Question
“Extrusive vulcanicity (e.g. volcanic eruption) along a
destructive plate boundary (convergence) is more
hazardous (more death & damages) than along a
constructive plate boundary (divergence).”
= more death & damages at destructive >>> constructive plate
boundaries
1. What are the conditions (NOT reasons, = without the
conditions, extrusive vulcanicity can’t occur) needed for
extrusive vulcanicity to occur?
2. Account for the above statement.
a) Why damages & deaths occur at constructive & destructive
plate boundaries?
b) Why more damages & deaths at destructive plate
boundaries / less damages & deaths at constructive plate
boundaries?
Rephrasing
1a. Conditions needed for extrusive vulcanicity
2a) Why damages & deaths occur at
constructive & destructive plate boundaries?
2b) Why more damages & deaths at destructive
plate boundaries / less damages & deaths at
constructive plate boundaries?
How to analyze the question?
1.
2.
3.
4.
Break into parts
find question words
Highlight keywords
Re-phrasing the question (e.g. own
interpretation, add concepts, find linkage
between different parts)
Structure of an essay
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I. Introduction (a must? How long?)
II. Body
- heading?
- how long?
- how to write?
- wordings only?
III. Conclusion (a must? How long?)
Introduction
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A must???????????
How to write?????
Copy the question again?????
1. No idea -> (copy the question in NSS1-2)
2 .Must include keywords in question (e.g. constructive & destructive
plate boundaries)
• 3. Can give some definition of some important terms (e.g. extrusive
vulcanicity)
• 4. Structure of the essay (how do you re-phrase the question)
• (e.g. I will first mention the necessary conditions for …. Then the
arguments will focus on why destructive plate boundaries have ….. while
constructive plate boundaries have ……)
• Short (1 paragraph, <5 lines)
• No marks given for introduction, only discretionary marks only
Body
• A. Heading (NSS1-2) to show which part of the
question you are answering
• Try to write heading for this essay
• 1. Conditions needed for extrusive vulcanicity
• 2. Why damages occur at destructive & constructive
plate boundaries?
• 3. Reasons for more damages & deaths at destructive
plate boundaries / less damages & deaths at
constructive plate boundaries
• Comparison is needed
• B. Key topic sentence at the beginning of each
paragraph
• E.g. xxxx is needed for extrusive vulcanicity to take
Body
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C. Duration of each part
1-2 paragraph (description)
2-3 paragraphs (explanation, evaluation)
D. Weighting
Evaluation / application / discussion >> explanation >>
description
E. Answers in perspectives
Environmentally, economically, socially, politically……….
F. Wordings only???
Relevant diagrams to gain discretionary marks
• G. In-depth answer????
• Choose a few factors & have in-depth analysis.
How to gain discretionary marks?
• 1. Clear structure
• 2. Correct examples, NOT case
• 3. Important diagrams (e.g.volcanic
eruption) – diagrams before description
• 4. simple flowchart
• 5. Analytical > Descriptive
• 6. Update cases (e.g.Sichuan Earthquake)
• 7. Data (e.g. global warming)
• 8. Geographical keywords
Conclusion
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A must??
Answer all parts first
What to write?
New ideas / major point
E.g. Besides the type of plate boundaries,
xxx also affect the damages of extrusive
vulcanicity ….)
• Wording only?
• Flow chart / diagram (especially if time is
running short)
How to write a good essay?
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1. Answer every parts in time
2. Write in short paragraphs
3. Clear introduction & conclusion
4. Good structure
- clear headings for each part
- clear topic sentence for each paragraph (<8 lines)
- pattern -> explanation -> example
5. Look at the issues from different perspectives (Evaluation)
6. Geographical keywords
7. No contradictions
7. Support answers with data, examples, diagrams, flow
charts ……
• 8. In-depth arguments > superficial arguments