How to Answer a 20 Mark Evaluate Question (AQA A Level Sociology): Revision Note

How do I answer an AQA A Level Sociology 20-mark Evaluate question?

• 20-mark 'Evaluate' questions appear in Paper 2 as the third question on each of your two topics, and they assess your ability to:

  • demonstrate knowledge and understanding of sociological theories, concepts and evidence (AO1)

  • apply material from the Item and your own knowledge to the question (AO2)

  • analyse and evaluate sociological material in order to present arguments, make judgements and draw conclusions (AO3)

• The final question on Paper 3 (Theory and Methods) is also a 20-mark 'Evaluate' question and is marked in the same way

  • The 20-mark Methods in Context question on Paper 1 is marked differently

• A 20-mark 'Evaluate' question is always presented with an Item and always starts with the same words:

  • E.g. Applying material from Item D and your knowledge, evaluate feminist explanations of the role of the family in society today [20 marks]

  • The 30-mark questions on Papers 1 and 3 start with the same words, so check the marks before you plan

• The marks available in this question are as follows:

  • AO1 = 8 marks

  • AO2 = 6 marks

  • AO3 = 6 marks

• Answers are placed in one of five bands, and the top band (17–20 marks) requires:

  • sound, conceptually detailed knowledge of a range of relevant material, which examiners describe as more than three key ideas

  • appropriate material applied accurately and with sensitivity to the issues raised by the question

  • analysis and evaluation that are explicit and relevant, with appropriate conclusions drawn

• The question can ask you to evaluate a perspective, an explanation or a view, for example:

  • evaluate functionalist explanations of the role of the family

  • evaluate the view that religion is a conservative force

  • evaluate the view that the UK has become a more child-centred society

How do I use the Item?

• The purpose of the Item is to suggest a few starting points, including ways into evaluation

  • E.g. Item D in the worked example below ends by pointing to sociologists who reject the feminist view

• Refer to the Item explicitly, using wording such as 'As Item D states...'

  • Examiners report that the best answers use the prompts from the Item well and develop them

• You are expected to bring in further ideas of your own and not rely only on the Item

  • This is what 'and your knowledge' means in the question

• Unlike the 10-mark 'Analyse' question, your points do not all have to come from the Item, and its final sentence can be a way into evaluation

How should I structure my essay?

• Make a brief plan before you start writing, which should include:

  • your main argument or line of reasoning

  • two or three key perspectives or theories

  • relevant studies or examples

  • your evaluation points

• Write a brief introduction that sets out the argument of your essay

  • An introduction will not attract marks if it only repeats the question or parts of the Item

• Write three to five substantial paragraphs

  • It is more effective to cover a limited number of views or theories in depth than to try to include everything

• Each paragraph should:

  • start with a clear point

  • develop it using relevant sociological theories, concepts and evidence

  • include evaluation, such as strengths, limitations or comparisons

  • link back to the question

• Finish with a conclusion that is evaluative and not a summary

  • It should reach a judgement that is consistent with the line of argument in your essay

  • It should not introduce new points

How do I evaluate effectively?

• Examiners describe five levels of evaluation, from the weakest to the strongest:

  • juxtaposition

  • stated

  • limited explicit

  • explicit, developed and relevant

  • evaluating the evaluation, or judging the relative importance of different points

• Juxtaposition means placing one view next to another without showing how they relate

  • E.g. 'Marxists argue the education system serves the interests of the ruling class, but functionalists believe it is for the benefit of society as a whole'

• To make your evaluation explicit, explain why the second view challenges the first and what this means for the question

• Examiners say that good evaluation involves a strength and a limitation, with some weighing up of the issue before coming to a reasoned judgement

  • A reasoned judgement receives more credit than a learned criticism that is stated without explanation

• The best evaluation is built into each paragraph and not added on at the end of the essay

• If the question names one view, use other perspectives to evaluate that view

  • Do not describe each of the other perspectives at length

How much should I write in a 20-mark Evaluate essay?

• You will have around 30 minutes to answer a 20-mark 'Evaluate' question, which includes reading the Item and planning

  • Aim to write around 600–700 words

  • You should practise writing in timed conditions before you sit your exams

• Remember that there are 8 marks available for AO1

  • Your knowledge needs to be conceptually detailed, but it must be selected to fit the question

• Think quality over quantity

  • Four well-developed points will always score more than a list of everything you know about the topic