Why Extended writing?

Science examinations now require students to explain their answers in depth. At the moment, there is no requirement that the answer be as a paragraph, in continuous prose. Diagrams and charts may also be used as long as they explain the answer in a clear and logical way..

In short, in extended response questions, you are awarded marks for:

• the quality of the answer- use of appropriate subject vocabulary (Key words)
• flow or coherence

But this differs depending on whether its a 'knowledge' or 'experiment' answer.

Types of questions and resposes (more marks as you go from AO1 to AO3)

• Identify the relevant ideas, using appropriate key words. Ideas may not necessarily be linked together. For experiments: method may not necessarily produce reliable data (AO1-Demosntrate knowledge and understanding of scientific ideas and methods)
• Link and apply the the ideas. For experiments: design a method that would lead to reliable data (AO2-Explain and Apply)
• Make conclusions and judgements. For experiments: In addition to a clear and valid method that can produce reliable data, identify weaknesses of the method, suggest improvements in techniques and materials. (AO3-Evaluate or justify)

This is a huge demand on students but hooray! we are here to help.

Step 1

Read the question and pay attention to its command words i.e. describe, explain etc.

-Describe means 'give me the picture'

-Explain means 'tell me the science behind it'

Step 2

Pay attention to what the command word asks you to act on i.e. is it a concept e.g. energy, enzyme action, bonding or a process e.g. photosynthesis, respiration or is it a pattern?

Step 3 Key words

Think about the knowledge that you have about the subject - what are the key words in that area?

Step 4- Connectives

To make it 'flow' what connectives are you going to use?

Here are a few examples and where to use them:

Now that you have gathered your key words (subject language) and connectives, you are ready to write down your answer