Lesson 3: Examination Techniques

What does an examiner want to know that a candidate can do?

An 'A' level candidate should be:

familiar with sociological terms and language.

familiar with the main themes and the important theorists. (Examples on next slide).

able to write good clear logical English prose.

able to construct a clear line of argument.

able to express an opinion in the sense of being able to evaluate and comment on the material of Sociology.

Example Theorists & Contributions to Sociology

Karl Marx: Historical materialism, mode of production, alienation and class struggle.

Emile Durham: Division of labour, social fact, religion and society.

Max Weber: Social action, ideal types, authority, bureaucracy, protestant ethic and the spirit of capitalism.

Talcott Parsons: Social system, pattern variables.

Robert K Merton: Latent and manifest functions, anomie, conformity and deviance, reference groups.

Answering your Examination Paper

Number the question that you are attempting. Write out the question as a heading only if it

helps you to understand what the question is asking.

Calculate the amount of time available for each answer and stick to it.

Write an excellent essay plan and use it. Write frequent short paragraphs. If in doubt,

start a new paragraph.

Advice on what to do (and not do) on an exam...

Leave at least one line between each paragraph. You may remember something that you ought to add.

Start each question on a fresh page and leave space for amendments if you have time.

Read what you have actually written, not what you think that you have written. This means reading every single word carefully.

Never use slang or casual language of any kind. There are clear formal rules in the English language for essay writing. Only the very confident should take the risk of a joke.

Materials even count...

Use a decent clear writing pen. Avoid biro. Errors of fact, spelling and grammar are far easier to notice if your handwriting is untidy or difficult to read.

Finally, a word about...

There is no such thing as the answer. There is only your answer. Attempt four questions if you are asked to answer four-- there is no harm in attempting a question, but you will most certainly get a 0% if you make no attempt at all.

If you do not know the answer to a question, then twist the wording to suit what you do know, however do this only in the most extreme of circumstances.