TRINITYHOUSE HIGH SCHOOL

LIFE SCIENCE ESSAY WRITING SKILLS

BY: MRS G CORNELL

All Life Science essays are argumentative essays. You need to make a definite
decision and stick to that decision throughout your essay.

STEP 1: Read the Statement or Question

• Ensure that you understand exactly WHAT is being asked
Eg: Consider the following statement:

“Traditional hunting practices are still a valid part of modern society”

Discuss your opinion on the above statement.

• This means that you would need to decide whether traditional hunting
practices are still a valid part of modern society or that traditional hunting
practices are not a valid part of modern society.

STEP 2: Read the sources

Read through all the sources. It is suggested that you use two different colour
highlighters to highlight key points.
Eg: Highlight key points that support a traditional hunting practices as a valid part of
modern society in yellow.
Highlight key points that oppose traditional hunting practices bing a valid part of
modern society in green.
Weigh up which has more key points. It is suggested that you then choose the
opinion with the most key points as your decision. (Even if it goes against your
personal opinion). It does not matter if you support or oppose the statement.
(See attached example of sources)

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STEP 3: Planning
Write “Planning” on the top of a new page.
State you decision in writing at the top of your planning. Your decision must NOT be
vague.

Tabulate key points for and against your decision as shown below. Take note of the
following:
• Ensure that the column “FOR” explicitly states what your opinion is for.
• Ensure that the column “AGAINST” explicitly states what your opinion is
against.
• Add key points (NOT JUST WORDS) to each column.
• State the source in brackets behind each key point
• You MUST include own knowledge and put “own knowledge” in brackets
behind it. Own knowledge must be scientific. It may be an EXTENSION of a
fact given in the sources. Own knowledge MUST SUPPORT YOUR
DECISION.
• You must GROUP/ THEME facts together under subheadings
• You DO NOT need to use all the sources. Usually one source is irrelevant.
Leave out 2-3 sources maximum. If you are short of time, leave out sources.

The PLANNING is marked as follows:

CRITERIA: MARKS:
Definite decision made 1
Facts (not words) for opinion are present 1
Ideas integrated or themed (Group together or linking of similar 1
ideas)
Sources are allocated to facts 1
Counter argument (Facts for against)- Must show fairness 1
Own knowledge present 1
//6

You may use a mind map instead of a table. Please see example below.

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Example:
PLANNING

DECISION:

Traditional hunting practices are still a valid part of modern society- I agree with
this statement

FOR AGAINST
Agree that traditional hunting practices Traditional hunting practices are not
are valid valid

TRADITIONS & CULTURE: TRADITIONS & CULTURE:

Represent values of society (A) “Values should not include killing” (A)
Art/ literature linked to fox hunting(E) No single tradition holds society
Hold society together (A) together (A)
Some cultures use hunting as a mark FGM- suffering should not be allowed
of manhood (B) in a tradition (A, E)

SOCIAL: SOCIAL:

Fundamental in maturing of a male (C)

Teaches compassion (C)
Bonding experience (D)

ECOLOGICAL: ECOLOGICAL:

Instils a love of outdoors (D) Killing foxes allows rabbit numbers to

Connection between animals and food increase (E)
(D) Fox numbers have fallen a lot (E)
Promotes biodiversity conservation (E)
Foxes are a pest (E)

ECONOMY: ECONOMY:

Waste of time and money to enforce Hunting act is effective- prosecutions

anti-hunting laws (E) happen (E)
Hunting creates jobs (E)

OWN:

Traditional hunting- cows slaughtered

at weddings
Bullfighting generates tourist income
(NOTE: This is an extension of the
source)

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 PLANNING

STEP 4: Essay heading

• Start your essay on a new page
• Give your essay a title that is underlined.

STEP 5: Introduction
• Should be one complete paragraph.
• Must introduce the concept/ idea ( What are traditional hunting practices?/ are
they still a valid part of modern society?)
• Must include the statement or question that was given
• The last line of the introduction should state your decision/ opinion.
• DO NOT use phrases such as “to a large extent…”
• E.g. For this reason, I agree that traditional hunting practices are still a valid
part of modern society

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STEP 6: Body of essay- FOR your decision
• Write paragraphs containing key points from the sources that support your
decision.
• You must have a MINIMUM of 9 key facts (Or as stated in the exam paper)
that are clearly explained to support your decision.
• Group similar themed ideas together. E.g. Put all facts on fox hunting (both for
and against) in the same paragraph. Link the for and against facts
• DO NOT repeat facts/ key ideas.
• You must have a minimum of TWO own knowledge facts that support your
decision. Write “own knowledge” in brackets after your own knowledge has
been stated.
• Include acknowledgement of the relevance of at least ONE or TWO sources:
• Eg: Source B is reliable as it was published in a journal and would have been
peer reviewed first
• The cartoon (source C) is not reliable as it is not scientifically based but is
focused on humour.
• ALWAYS keep to your stance.
• Link your paragraphs back to your stance. Eg: end a paragraph by saying
“therefore traditional hunting practices are still a valid part of modern society”
STEP 7: Body of essay- AGAINST your decision (Counter argument)
• Use words such as “however” to introduce an opposing argument
(Conjunctions)
• Write paragraphs containing key points from the sources that oppose your
decision.
• You must have a MINIMUM of 4 key facts that are clearly explained to support
your counter argument.
• DO NOT repeat facts/key ideas
• Include why your decision outweighs the opposing opinion.
• Link to your stance (Sign posting or tagging).

STEP 8: Conclusion
• Should be one complete paragraph.
• NO NEW FACTS may be written in the conclusion.
• A summary of what was said in the body of the essay- this is the only
time when repetition is acceptable
• End the conclusion be restating your decision
• E.g: …therefore traditional hunting practices are still a valid part of
modern society

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ESSAY MARKING GRID:
Essays are marked as follows:
SECTION/ CRITERIA: MARK:
Planning - see breakdown of planning mark 6
Decision- NEVER change your decision within your essay. 2
Stick to ONE decision only.
Knowledge from sources to support your decision 8
(9 facts explained= 4x2 marks)
Reasoning is clear
Facts are linked
Own knowledge 4
2 Own facts given
The 2 facts are integrated into your argument
Relevance of sources 2
Repetition is avoided
Quality of source is given
Quality of argument supporting your decision 8
Strongly support decision
Clear reasoning
Logical flow
Well linked/ well integrated
Counter argument (fairness) 4
4 Facts to support an opposing argument
Facts are well integrated
Presentation 4
Mature tone/ scientific language
Appropriate language and terminology
Paragraphs with good transitions
Interesting introduction and satisfying conclusion
Merit 2
No conceptual errors
Not emotive
Definite decision
TOTAL: //40

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ESSAY EXAMPLE:
This is a shortened version of what is required
Traditional hunting practices are still a valid part of modern society
Traditional hunting is defined as any activity present in the culture of a specific group
of people that involves the killing of animals. There are many cultural, social
ecological and economic advantages of traditional hunting and thus I agree that
traditional hunting practices are still a valid part of modern society.
Traditional hunting represents the values of a society. Some believe that “values”
should not include killing. However, there are art works and literature that are linked
to fox hunting. Fox hunting has been around for a very long time. It is an integral part
of culture for many residing in the UK. The UN says that all States must respect,
promote and protect the right of everyone to take part in cultural life. Human rights
relate to cultural rights. The SA constitution states that everyone has the right to
cultural practices. Some cultures have changed their cultural practices such as the
Maasai rite of passage has reformed and is now an Olympics – type event. Some
cultures do still use hunting as a mark of manhood. In the Black South African
culture, cows and goats are traditionally slaughtered at wedding functions. (OWN) I
thus agree that traditional hunting practices are still a valid part of modern society.
Hunting has been shown to teach compassion, self-control, self-restraint and sound
judgement. Source C is reliable as it was written by Dr Eaton and was published in a
scientific journal which would have been peer reviewed. Hunting can be a bonding
experience among family members and therefore traditional hunting practices are
still a valid part of modern society.
Hunting can instil a love for nature and the outdoors. It teaches children to make the
connection between animals and food. People can learn about the balance of nature
and sustainable harvesting. In fox hunting, only the old and suck foxes are hunted.
Hunting of foxes has been shown not to significantly reduce fox numbers. According
to statistics, fox numbers have fallen a lot. Some people feel that hormonal methods
can be used to control population numbers. Killing foxes has caused rabbit numbers
to increase. Rabbits are pests and have destroyed crops. However, hunting has
shown to keep fox numbers below carrying capacity and therefore traditional hunting
practices are still a valid part of modern society.

Traditional hunting aids the economy as many people are employed in the industry.
Jobs are created to teach people to track and shoot animals. Bullfighting generates
income as a major tourist attraction in Spain (OWN).It is difficult and a waste of time
and money to enforce anti-hunting laws. Even so, the hunting act has been proven to
be effective as prosecutions happen. The economic benefit of traditional hunting out
ways the cons and thus traditional hunting practices are still a valid part of modern
society.

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The many cultural, social ecological and economic advantages of traditional hunting
out way the disadvantages. People have the right to express their cultures and thus I
agree that traditional hunting practices are still a valid part of modern society.

ESSAY EXAMPLE MARKED:

This is a shortened version of what is required
Traditional hunting practices are still a valid part of modern society
Traditional hunting is defined as any activity present in the culture of a specific group
of people that involves the killing of animals. There are many cultural, social
ecological and economic advantages of traditional hunting and thus I agree√D+ that
traditional hunting practices are still a valid part of modern society.
Traditional hunting represents the values of a society√1. Some believe that “values”
should not include killingCA1. However, there are art works and literature that are
linked to fox hunting√2. Fox hunting has been around for a very long time√3. It is an
integral part of culture√4 for many residing in the UK. The UN says that all States
must respect, promote and protect the right of everyone to take part in cultural life√5.
Human rights relate to cultural rights√6. The SA constitution states that everyone has
the right to cultural practices√7. Some cultures have changed their cultural practices
such as the Maasai rite of passage has reformed and is now an Olympics – type
event CA2. Some cultures do still use hunting as a mark of manhood√8. In the Black
South African culture, cows and goats are traditionally slaughtered at wedding
functions. (OWN)O1 S I thus agree that traditional hunting practices are still a valid
part of modern society.
Hunting has been shown to teach compassion√9, self-control, self-restraint and
sound judgement√10. Source C is reliable as it was written by Dr Eaton and was
published in a scientific journal which would have been peer reviewed.Rel Hunting
can be a bonding experience√11 among family members and therefore traditional
hunting practices are still a valid part of modern society.S
Hunting can instil a love for nature and the outdoors√12. It teaches children to make
the connection between animals and food√13. People can learn about the balance of
nature and sustainable harvesting√14. In fox hunting, only the old and suck foxes are
hunted√15. Hunting of foxes has been shown not to significantly reduce fox
numbers√16. According to statistics, fox numbers have fallen a lot.CA3 Some people
feel that hormonal methods can be used to control population numbers CA4. Killing
foxes has caused rabbit numbers to increaseCA5. Rabbits are pests CA6 and have
destroyed crops. However, hunting has shown to keep fox numbers below carrying
capacity√17 and therefore traditional hunting practices are still a valid part of modern
society. S

Traditional hunting aids the economy as many people are employed in the industry.
√18 Jobs are created to teach people to track and shoot animals CA7. Bullfighting

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generates income as a major tourist attraction in Spain (OWN) O2 S.It is difficult and
a waste of time and money to enforce anti-hunting laws √19. Even so, the hunting
act has been proven to be effective as prosecutions happen CA8 S. The economic
benefit of traditional hunting out ways the cons and thus traditional hunting practices
are still a valid part of modern society. S
The many cultural, social ecological and economic advantages of traditional hunting
out way the disadvantages. People have the right to express their cultures and thus I
agree that traditional hunting practices are still a valid part of modern society.
KEY:
D+ Decision FOR the statement
D_ Decision against the statement
√1 Fact for your decision (number represents the fact number)
O1 Own fact (number represents the fact number)
S Synthesis
Rel Source relevance
CA1 Fact for counter argument (number represents the fact number)