The question has asked me to ‘discuss’ a statement. How do I write a good answer?

Many students struggle with questions that ask for a statement to be ‘discussed’. What does the question mean? What am I being asked to do? It’s not always clear. However, if you remember a few golden rules then ‘discuss’ questions - as I call them – can be your best friend in an exam.

Firstly, remember to make an argument, DON’T JUST LIST ‘FACTS’. This should be obvious, but it is surprising (and frustrating!) just how often the word ‘discuss’ is taken as an invitation to ramble or to repeat a pre-prepared essay.

Secondly, make sure you engage with the question.
This means you need to reflect on the statement. If the question mentions ‘power’, ‘freedom’, ‘influence’ think about what they mean. Hint--- this bit should be fun, it’s your chance to get creative and thoughtful!

Finally, don’t forget the conclusion! The final paragraph is where you remind your examiner what you’ve argued. A well-phrased and convincing conclusion often separates a good essay from one that gets the highest marks.