How should I structure a Section 2 answer in the Oxford TSA?

Section 2 of the Oxford TSA requires that you write one 30 minute essay from a choice of 4. These questions are rarely subject specific, and are usually focused on concepts about which students will have little prior knowledge. As a result, the TSA is marked with a greater focus on how you write (the structure) as opposed to the content itself. The questions are usually designed so that there are two possible sides that the applicant could argue. Therefore, a general structure for a TSA essay is as follows: Paragraph 1: Introduction, Paragraph 2: Presenting one side of the argument, Paragraph 3: Presenting the other side of the argument, Paragraph 4: Conclusion. This may seem like a short essay, but there is a limit of two A4 sides of writing, and so it is important to keep the essay concise. Within the introduction there are two key objectives. Firstly, the student should define the key terms in the question. The question is often broad, so it is important that students make it clear how they are interpreting the key terms in the question. It does not matter if you are unsure of the exact definition, you will gain credit for attempting to disambiguate the question's deliberate ambiguities. Secondly, the student should make clear what their argument will be for the rest of the essay. In paragraphs 2 and 3 (the main body paragraphs), the student should run through various points on both sides of the argument, making sure to relate their points to the question at all times. They should also ensure that these paragraphs maintain the line of argument they outlined in the introduction. The conclusion should be focused on making a value judgement, summarising your argument and establishing why it is correct.