How to Answer a 10 Mark Outline & Explain Question (AQA A Level Sociology): Revision Note
Exam code: 7192
Written by: Raj Bonsor
Updated on
How do I answer an AQA A Level Sociology 10-mark Outline and explain question?
10-mark 'Outline and explain' questions appear in Papers 1, 2 and 3, and they assess your ability to:
demonstrate knowledge and understanding of sociological theories, concepts, evidence and research methods (AO1)
apply relevant material, such as examples, to the question (AO2)
analyse sociological material by showing how ideas are linked (AO3)
You will find this question in:
Paper 1, Question 06 (Theory and Methods)
Paper 2, the first question on each of your two topics
Paper 3, Question 05 (Theory and Methods)
An 'Outline and explain' question has no Item and always uses the same wording:
E.g. Outline and explain two ways that social change may affect patterns of marriage [10 marks]
The marks available in this question are as follows:
AO1 = 5 marks
AO2 = 3 marks
AO3 = 2 marks
AO1 carries half of the marks, so this question is mainly a test of your knowledge and how clearly you can explain it
There are no marks for evaluation in this question
The two AO3 marks are for analysis
Students who evaluate do not lose marks, but they do lose time
The question can ask you to outline and explain two ways, reasons, advantages, problems or criticisms, for example:
outline and explain two ways in which the functions of the family may have been affected by changes to its structure
outline and explain two advantages of using unstructured interviews in sociological research
outline and explain two reasons why some sociologists use official statistics in their research
What does 'outline and explain' mean?
To outline is to identify each way or reason clearly
Examiners hope to find two ways clearly identified, and they say that the least ambiguous opening is 'One way that...'
To explain is to develop each way through a chain of reasoning, which links each step from the way to its effect
E.g. secularisation means religion has less influence, so there is less moral pressure to marry, so fewer couples marry and more cohabit
Examiners credit the way 'at the point of impact', when you state the consequence of what you have just said
They call this the 'so what'
Examiners suggest that analysing the extent of an effect, such as how far it applies, is one way to earn the AO3 marks
This is not the same as evaluating, as you are explaining how far your own point applies and not arguing against it
Examiners apply these limits when they mark this question:
if no way is clearly identified, the answer stays in the 1–3 mark band
an answer with only one way cannot score more than 7 marks, even if it is exceptionally well developed
for the top band, there must be two ways that are both developed
Marks are awarded for the answer as a whole, not as five marks for each way
How should I structure my answer?
Write two separate paragraphs, one for each way
Start them with clear signposts such as 'One way...' and 'Another way...'
Make sure that your two ways are clearly different from each other
Do not write an introduction or a conclusion
Examiners say that these are not required, are unlikely to help and take up time
Each paragraph should follow the same shape:
Identify: state the way or reason in the first sentence, using the wording of the question
Explain: name and briefly explain the concept or factor involved
Chain of reasoning: show step by step how it leads to the effect in the question
Sociologist: support the point with a named sociologist or study
Example: give a developed example that shows the point in action
Link back: where it helps, finish with a short sentence that ties the point to the question
The top band requires 'two applications of relevant material', so include a developed example in both paragraphs
How much should I write in a 10-mark Outline and explain answer?
You will have around 15 minutes to answer a 10-mark 'Outline and explain' question
Aim to write around 250–300 words, which is 125–150 words for each paragraph
You should practise writing in timed conditions before you sit your exams
Remember that there are 5 marks available for AO1
Your knowledge needs to be accurate and detailed, so use key concepts and a named sociologist in each paragraph
Think quality over quantity
Two fully developed paragraphs will always score more than three or four brief points
Worked Example
Here is an example of a 10-mark 'Outline and explain' question:
Q. Outline and explain two ways that social change may affect patterns of marriage.
[10 marks]
Model answer:
One way social change may affect patterns of marriage is through secularisation, which has reduced the stigma attached to alternatives to traditional lifelong marriage. As religion has lost its influence in the UK, the moral pressure to marry and stay married for life has weakened. The number of first marriages each year has fallen sharply since the 1970s, while cohabitation has risen, and divorce and remarriage are now common. Beck and Beck-Gernsheim (1995) argue that in today's 'risk society', people are aware that relationships may not last and are less willing to commit to lifelong marriage. For example, a couple who would have felt pressured into a quick marriage in 1955 after an unplanned pregnancy may today cohabit comfortably, marry only if they choose to, and divorce without stigma if it does not work.
Another way is that feminism and women's growing access to education and careers have changed who marries and when. As women gained financial independence, they no longer needed to marry for economic security. Sharpe (1994) found that girls' priorities shifted from 'love, marriage, husbands and children' to 'job, career and being able to support themselves'. The average age at first marriage in the UK has reached the early thirties, and a growing number of women are choosing not to marry at all. Giddens (1992) argues today's relationships are based on 'confluent love': partners stay together only as long as both find the relationship fulfilling. For example, a 30-year-old woman finishing her medical training may marry only when she is financially independent, or may decide staying single suits her better.
Word count: 263
Top band response: 8–10 marks
Marking commentary:
This response is in the top band because it shows very good knowledge and understanding of two ways that social change may affect patterns of marriage. Both ways are clearly identified in the opening sentence of each paragraph ('One way...' and 'Another way...') and both are developed. There are two applications of relevant material, as each paragraph contains a developed example. The analysis takes the form of a clear chain of reasoning in each paragraph, which runs from the social change to a specific pattern of marriage, such as fewer first marriages or a later age at first marriage. There is no evaluation, introduction or conclusion, so no time has been spent on material that cannot be credited.
Step by step structure:
Paragraph 1: The first way (secularisation) is identified in one sentence, using the wording of the question (AO1)
A chain of reasoning links the social change to the pattern: religion has less influence, so there is less pressure to marry, so first marriages fall and cohabitation rises (AO3)
Beck and Beck-Gernsheim's 'risk society' is used to support the point (AO1)
A developed example compares a couple in 1955 with a couple today (AO2)
Paragraph 2: The second way (feminism and women's careers) is identified in one sentence (AO1)
A chain of reasoning links the social change to the pattern: financial independence means women do not need to marry for security, so they marry later or not at all (AO3)
Sharpe and Giddens are used to support the point (AO1)
A developed example of a woman finishing her medical training shows the point in action (AO2)
Examiner Tips and Tricks
Examiners have suggested the following advice to help you improve your performance on 10-mark 'Outline and explain' questions:
Start each paragraph with 'One way that...' or 'Another reason is...', as this is the least ambiguous opening and makes sure the examiner can see your two points
Read the question carefully and focus on its specific wording
In the question above, some students explained a social change without stating which pattern of marriage it had affected
Avoid general accounts of a topic, particularly in Theory and Methods questions
In a question on how feminism may influence research design, examiners reported that many students discussed feminism in general terms without connecting it to specific choices of method
Do not confuse this question with the 10-mark 'Analyse' question
'Analyse' has an Item and credits evaluation, but 'Outline and explain' has no Item and gives no marks for evaluation
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