Advanced Higher Issues Essay
Candidate Guide
This guide relates only to section B
For the 40 Mark Issues Essay you should;
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Justify the choice of a current complex geographical issue to critically evaluate (4 marks).
Undertake wider background reading from a wide range of sources relating to the geographical issue (8 marks).
Summarise a wide range of viewpoints on the complex geographical issue (10 marks).
Critically evaluate each of the viewpoints (10 marks).
Reach reasoned conclusion(s) supported by a wide range of evidence
(8 marks).
Your completed evidence for the geographical issue should demonstrate that you have met these criteria. You do not have to demonstrate
them in the same order they are listed above. For example your conclusion may come at the start of what you write.
Your completed geographical issue should be no more than 1,800 words in length (excluding any text used on front covers, list of contents,
annotations to any illustrations, references, bibliography, appendices).
The actual word count must be submitted by you with the completed essay.
You should be aware that if the word count exceeds the maximum by 10%, the marker will refer your issue to the Principal Assessor (with the
SQA).
Your assessor (TGS) will let you know how the assessment for the project–folio will be carried out and any required conditions for doing it.
The following information will help you to understand the requirements of the Advanced Higher Geography project–folio.
Section B: geographical issue – How to get marks and produce a quality essay
You should choose a current geographical issue that will allow you to:
 carry out research relating to a wide range of sources with contrasting viewpoints
 use relevant additional detail that shows geographic understanding
 summarise the viewpoints
 critically evaluate the sources/viewpoints
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A. Justify the choice of a current complex geographical issue to critically evaluate (4 marks)
You should aim to justify your choice of topic by explaining:
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the purpose of researching the topic
the relevance of the issue in the context of the subject/why the issue is worth learning about
any relevant geographical literature/research that you can refer to
what areas for evaluation your issue will involve
what geographical data/information your issue will involve you in processing (where applicable)
B. Undertake wider background reading from a wide range of sources relating to the geographical issue (8 marks)
You should research at least three relevant sources, with a range of viewpoints, which are:
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up-to-date, where appropriate
from publications which are peer reviewed, where appropriate, and/or written by experts in the field, where appropriate
express views relevant to an issue
be listed correctly in a detailed bibliography
C. Summarise a wide range of viewpoints on the complex geographical issue (10 marks)
Summarising involves identifying the key information within the viewpoints. You should:
 summarise three viewpoints effectively and demonstrate that you have a good understanding of the issue, by going beyond its most
obvious or familiar aspects
 organise your information and be able to express in detail the key viewpoints proposed by the authors including information in
diagrams, graphs or tables, as appropriate
D. Critically evaluate each of the viewpoints (10 marks)
You should aim to make reasoned critically evaluative comments on the significance of the viewpoints, including:
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E.
the credibility of the authors and publications you use
quality of diagrams and statistics contained within the sources you use
any bias or exaggeration in the sources you use
comparing and contrasting the viewpoints from a geographical perspective
giving examples from wider reading to support your evaluative comments
Reach reasoned conclusion(s) supported by a wide range of evidence
(8 marks)
You should give at least one conclusion which presents an overall judgement about the questions raised in the issue. It should be based on
the developed points within your issue.
Your conclusion(s) should:
 be well argued
 show a clear understanding of the issue
 be well organised
 consider all the viewpoints you have researched
 be more than a repetition of information discussed earlier in the issue
 show some insight (not your own opinion!)
 be supported by linking or sequencing of ideas, using all the evidence
Organising, presenting and referencing findings using appropriate conventions
All secondary sources should be clearly referenced, and acknowledged, both within the text and in the bibliography.
You should use a referencing system/bibliography which is appropriate to the subject and the study and issue researched. It is important
to be consistent in your use of referencing findings.
Layout of the project–folio
Issues essays should have no more than 1,800 words. A well-produced issue would not normally exceed 12 A4 pages.
When considering the layout of your project–folio you may want to consider, for example:
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presenting text on A4 single-sided pages
using a standard font/size throughout (titles/headings may be larger)
using consistent line spacing
using consistent formatting of headings and subheadings
numbering each page
making sure that text contained in diagrams is clear and relevant to the diagram (remember text boxes and annotations will not add to
your word count)
 presenting direct quotes from the sources in such a way that they are distinct from the main text
SQA Making Instructions
Section B: geographical issue
A.
General Marking
Principles
Max
mark
Justify the choice
of a current
complex
geographical issue
to critically
evaluate
4
Supported commentary
Candidates can be credited up to a maximum of 4 marks.
Developed points will include providing, for example:
 the choice of an issue that can be researched with reference to contrasting viewpoints
 the use of a wide range of sources
 providing relevant additional detail
0 marks
No evidence of justification of choice within candidate response
1-2 marks
The justification includes at least one developed point about both of the following:
 the purpose of critically evaluating the issue
 the relevance of the issue in the wider context of the subject or why the issue is worth researching
3-4 marks
The justification meets criteria for 2 marks and, in addition:
 explicitly refers to relevant geographical information related to the issue
and
 explains the potential of:
— detailed evaluation
— the processing of geographical data/information
B.A. Undertake wider
background
reading from a
wide range of
sources relating to
the geographical
issue
8
Candidates can be credited up to a maximum of 8 marks.
Candidates should show evidence that they have used a wide range of sources of information. A maximum of 2
marks can be awarded where a candidate only refers to a single source of information.
In order to gain marks for use of sources, sources must be:
 up-to-date, where appropriate
 from publications which are peer reviewed, where appropriate, and/or written by experts in the field, where
appropriate
 express views relevant to an issue
 be listed correctly in a detailed bibliography
0 marks
 There is no evidence of sources being used or sources used are not relevant to the issue.
1-2 marks
 Candidate has used only one source or two sources of insufficiently high quality.
 Source(s) used are listed in a bibliography.
3-4 marks
 Candidate has used two sources of sufficient quality.
 Different perspectives/viewpoints on the complex geographical issue have been identified.
5-6 marks
 Candidate has used three sources of sufficient quality.
 Different perspectives/viewpoints on the complex geographical issue have been identified and prioritised for
use in the candidate response to the issue.
7-8 marks
 Candidate has used three sources of sufficient quality.
 Different perspectives/viewpoints on the complex geographical issue have been identified and prioritised for
use in the candidate’s response to the issue, based on relevant criteria
(eg the author’s level of expertise).
C.
Summarise a wide
range of viewpoints
on the complex
geographical issue
10
Candidates can be credited in a number of ways up to a maximum of 10 marks.
Summarising involves identifying the key information within the viewpoints.
0 marks
There is no evidence of viewpoints being summarised or the viewpoints are not effectively summarised.
1-2 marks
 Candidate summarises a range of viewpoints and demonstrates a degree of understanding of the issue.
 Information is organised and the viewpoints proposed by the authors are outlined by the candidate.
3-4 marks
 Candidate summarises a range of viewpoints effectively and demonstrates a degree of understanding of the
issue.
 Information is organised effectively and outlines the key viewpoints proposed by the authors.
5-6 marks
 Candidate summarises a wide range of viewpoints very effectively and demonstrates a good degree of
understanding of the issue.
 Information is organised very effectively, is detailed and outlines the key viewpoints proposed by the
authors, including citations. Relevant maps/diagrams are included as enhancement to the information,
where appropriate.
7-8 marks
 Candidate summarises a wide range of viewpoints very effectively and demonstrates a high degree of
understanding of the issue.
 Information is organised systematically and expresses the key viewpoints proposed by the authors, including
citations. Relevant maps/diagrams are included as enhancement to the information, where appropriate.
9-10 marks
D.
Critically evaluate
each of the
viewpoints
10
 Candidate summarises a wide range of viewpoints very effectively and demonstrates a very perceptive
degree of understanding of the issue, going beyond the most obvious or familiar aspects of the issue.
 Information is organised systematically, is detailed and expresses the key viewpoints proposed by the
authors, including citations. Relevant maps/diagrams are included as enhancement to the information,
where appropriate.
Candidates can be credited up to a maximum of 10 marks.
Evaluation involves making a judgement(s) based on criteria. Candidates will make reasoned evaluative
comments on the viewpoints by referring to, for example:
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relevance/importance/reliability/credibility of the content
positive and negative aspects of content
strengths and weaknesses of the content including the quality of maps/diagrams and statistics
comparisons between different viewpoints, from a geographical perspective
significance of the content
any other relevant evaluative comment
0 marks
There is no evidence of evaluation or evaluation is not relevant
1-2 marks
Candidate makes evaluative comments on the viewpoints. The evaluation includes:
 Assessing the credibility of the author and the publication.
 Assessing the quality of diagrams and statistics contained within sources.
3-4 marks
Candidate makes evaluative comments on the viewpoints. The evaluation includes:
 Assessing the credibility of the author and the publication.
 Assessing the quality of diagrams and statistics contained within sources.
5-6 marks
Candidate makes explicit and critically evaluative comments on the significance of the viewpoints. The evaluation
includes:
 Assessing the credibility of the author and the publication.
 Assessing the quality of diagrams and statistics contained within sources.
 Identification of bias and/or exaggeration.
7-8 marks
Candidate makes explicit and critically evaluative comments on the significance of the viewpoints. The evaluation
includes:
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Assessing the credibility of the author and the publication.
Assessing the quality of diagrams and statistics contained within sources.
Identification of bias and/or exaggeration.
Comparing and contrasting the viewpoints from a geographical perspective.
9-10 marks
Candidate makes explicit and critically perceptive, evaluative comments on the significance of the viewpoints.
The evaluation includes:
 Assessing the credibility of the author and the publication.
E.
Reach reasoned
conclusion(s)
supported by a
wide range of
evidence
8
 Assessing the quality of diagrams and statistics contained within sources.
 Identification of bias and/or exaggeration.
 Comparing and contrasting the viewpoints from a geographical perspective.
 Giving examples from wider reading to support your evaluative comments.
Candidates can be credited up to a maximum of 8 marks
The conclusion(s) will summarise the key elements or points and include an overall judgement.
0 marks
 There is no conclusion or the conclusion(s) is/are not based on the evidence contained within the response.
 Information has not been drawn together or is disorganised.
1-2 marks
 Candidate links two relevant pieces of information or evidence into at least one conclusion on the issue.
3-4 marks
 Candidate links relevant pieces of information or evidence into a conclusion(s) on the issue. The
conclusion(s) will result from an examination of all the evidence.
5-6 marks
 Candidate links all relevant points of evaluation supported with information and/or evidence into a
conclusion. The conclusion(s) follows from a critical examination of all the evidence.
 The candidate develops their conclusion(s) which will be supported by organising, linking or sequencing ideas
and based on relevant and accurate use of all the evidence.
7-8 marks
 Candidate links all relevant points of evaluation supported with information and/or evidence into a
conclusion(s). The conclusion(s) follows from a critical examination of all the evidence.
 Candidate develops their conclusion(s) which will be supported by organising, linking or sequencing of ideas
and based on integration of relevant and accurate use of all the evidence.