Extended Response Writing in HSC Geography
There are two parts to approaching an extended response:
1. Reading the question
2. Writing the response
1. Reading the Question
By effectively reading the question you find out what FACTS and
TOPICS are required how the examiners want you to answer it.

How do I effectively read the question?
o
Determine what syllabus dot point it is from?
All questions are based on a syllabus dot point. Once you can
recognise what syllabus dot point it is from you then know what
information to write
Look for the BOSSY WORDS (DIRECTIVE VERBS)
i.e. Analyse, evaluate, discuss, outline, compare, evaluate,
explain… etc
These words tell you the style of paper you need to write and
the examiners are looking for SIGNPOSTS that show you have
followed the directive verb.
o
Look for the BOSSY ‘S’
These indicate plural i.e. more than one. For example,
ecosystem compared to ecosystems. This usually refers to
case studies and examples. If the question has a bossy ‘s’ and
you only use one example you automatically do not qualify for a
band 5 and 6.
.
o
2. Writing the Response
Let’s simplify what an extended response is? In its most simplistic
definition an extended response is a series of logically connected
paragraphs that are related to a topic. So, the basis of an effective
extended response is that you have well constructed paragraphs.
The Paragraph
 ONE paragraph = ONE key point about the topic you are writing
about. The biggest mistake many students make is that they try to
say too much in ONE go. It is better to spread your ideas over a few
paragraphs.


Sentence back- It is crucial to show the examiner that you are
answering the question. The best way to do this is to SENTENCE
BACK. Use words from the question to show that you are answering it
directly. The best place to sentence back is in the first sentence of a
paragraph (topic sentence).

Basic Paragraph Structure (T.E.E)
Each paragraph have these elements. As you getter better at writing you can mix them up a bit to
make it interesting, but it is recommended that you stick to this formulae in exams as it ensures
there is no ambiguity about what you are writing about.
T –Topic Sentence (introduces the point you are making and
sentence back to question.
E- Explanation (puts your topic into perspective by usually defining
it, explaining key points and/ or giving other crucial background
information.
E- Examples. Key explanations and examples are given in these.
The more examples you refer to, the better. Go from broad
examples to specific.
The following are additional for those higher order questions.
E- Evaluative sentence/s. This is for higher order bossy words,
where you make a judgement or linkage or contradictory point.
CS- Concluding sentence to let the reader know you’ve finished
your point (you can start to link to next point)

Signposts- Depending on the bossy word examiners need to see
key phrases or terms that show you are writing a style of paper that
was directed by the question. Also, you need to signpost to the
reader that you understand the concepts and content thus you will
use the key terms assocaited with you r topic. That is why it is
important to memorise the technical words.
SIGNPOSTS
SIGNPOSTS
Q. Describe the spatial patterns and dimensions of ONE ecosystem at risk that you have
studied and analyse the negative human impacts.
The coral reef ecosystem of the Great Barrier Reef has many spatial patterns and
dimensions and negative human impacts that make it an ideal case study of an ecosystem
at risk. Spatial patterns and dimensions such as location, latitude, altitude, continuity, size and
shape (extent) help in understanding the biophysical functioning and vulnerability and resilience of
the GBR. Furthermore, there have been a number of human impacts on this ecosystem at risk
such as shipping, fishing, collection, and tourism that has had serious implications on the
functioning of this fragile ecosystem.
One spatial dimension and pattern that is important is location. The location of the
GBR is critical as Coral reefs are predominantly found in warm waters particularly in the tropics.
The relative location of the GBR is that it is located in the North East coast of Australia. Also, it is
completely located off the coast of the State of Queensland. It is found in the southern hemisphere
and in particular it is within the tropic of Capricorn. (Refer to figure 1) Its location is important
especially in relation to latitude.
Another significant spatial pattern and dimension is latitude. Latitude refers to the flat
lines north and south of the equator around the earth. The higher the latitude the colder the climate
gets. The latitude of the GBR reef extends from 8 degrees south to 24 degrees south, which
locates it within the Tropic of Capricorn. This is significant as coral reefs need warm water to
survive (between 24 to 26 degrees Celsius) and by being located within the tropical latitudes the
GBR is in an ideal location for optimal coral growth.
Another spatial pattern and dimension is altitude. Altitude refers to the height above
sea level. In the case of the GBR we can refer to the depth of the reef. The ideal depth for coral
reefs ranges from 4m to 30m. This is because coral needs to remain under water- so 4m allows it
to stay underwater especially during low tides. If they go too deep the coral polyps cannot get
enough sunlight to photosynthesise. Thus, the GBR reefs depth ranges from 4m to 30m
respectively.
Another spatial pattern and dimension is size and shape (extent). The GBR is not one
long reef but a number of small reefs. In fact it is made up of over 2900 different shaped reefs such
as ribbon reefs, patch reefs etc. The Marine Park is approximately 348 700 square kilometres witch
makes it very large. Furthermore, the reef is only as wide as where the continental shelf reaches
as identified above it gets too deep. Thus the general overall shape of the reef is long and narrow.
By having a large extent it makes the reef appear very resilient, but by being a combination of
small narrow reefs actually makes this ecosystem vulnerable.
The last spatial pattern and dimension is continuity. Continuity refers to how long the
reef has been present. The current reef has been present in its current form since the last ice age
(8,000-12, 000 years ago). However, it has been built up on previous coral reefs over millions of
years. Coral takes a long while to develop. Any harm done to it takes a long time to recover (low
elasticity) thus making the ecosystem vulnerable. The ecosystem has functioned with minimal
human interference for many thousands of years. It is only in recent times that humans have begun
to impact on it negatively.
One significant human impact that has negative implications is the fisheries. The
fisheries industry depends on the utility value of the GBR. Since there is a variety (biodiversity) and
an abundance of fish the GBR seems it have more than enough. However, prawn trawling and the
use of nets have serious implications on the well being of the reef. Trawling for prawns often
disturbs the sea floor destroying habitats and stirring up silt. Coral reefs do not like turbid water as
it reduces sunlight entering the ecosystem thus impacting a key optimal condition for coral growth.
Further, the use of nets often catches other species not targeted, this is called by-catch. This can
heavily reduce the biodiversity of the ecosystem and thus make it vulnerable.
etc