We are given so much information for each topic... how do I know which bits are relevant for a particular question?

It can be so hard to identify which of all the masses of facts and figures and definitions you have learnt you need to include for a particular question, especially given the degree to which topics and themes overlap. This is such an important skill to master though as otherwise you can risk writing an answer worth 20 marks for a 6 mark question and really limiting your time, or else including so much extra information that the important parts are lost and you can’t access all the marks you are capable of. Establishing a strong framework using the words of the question can help to make sure you are fully addressing the question throughout.
Familiarizing yourself with your exam boards specification and mark schemes can help you learn how best to structure your responses. For example for an 8 mark question you may aim to include 4 developed points, each of which you can introduce using the words of the question or referring to specific parts of a visual stimulus, in order to retain focus and establish it’s relevance. This can be as obvious as ‘one way in which (...) / a second way in which(...) / a third way in which(...) / a final way in which(...)’ tied together with a brief introduction and conclusion. Thinking in terms of discrete points can help you to avoid ‘word vomit’ and select the most relevant information to justify each one, as well as force you to link the points directly to each other and to the question.

JF

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