Write Like A Political Scientist

Writing Frames

• 30-Mark Source Questions (Paper 1 - Question 1a or 1b / Paper 2 - Question 1a or 1b):

• 30-Mark Essay Questions (Paper 1 - Question 2a or 2b / Paper 2 - Question 2a or 2b / Paper 3 - Question 3a or 3b or 3c):

• 24-Mark Political Ideas Questions (Paper 1 - Question 3a or 3b / Paper 2 - Question 3a or 3b):

• 12-Mark Comparative Questions (Paper 3 - Question 1a or 1b):

• 12-Mark Comparative Theory Questions (Paper 3 - Question 2):

Evaluative Phrases

• “This is a strong argument because...”
• “This is a weak argument because…”
• “This claim can be effectively countered by…”
• “This claim can be countered, but rather poorly, by…”
• “This point stands up to scrutiny as…”
• “This point fails to stand up to scrutiny as…”
• “The underlying assumption behind this reason is a convincing one…”
• “The underlying assumption behind this reason is doubtful…”
• “The two assertions are equally balanced…”
• “It is difficult to choose between the evidence here…”

Useful Conjunctions

• Addition:
  • again
  • also
  • and
  • another
  • as well as
  • furthermore
  • in addition
  • moreover
  • too
  • what is more

• Cause and effect:
  • as a consequence
  • as a result
  • as long as
  • because
  • consequently
  • depending upon
  • inevitably
  • since
  • therefore
  • whenever

• Comparison:
  • by the same token
  • comparatively
  • congruently
  • correspondingly
  • equally
  • equivalently
  • in the same way
  • just as
  • likewise
  • similarly

• Concession:
  • admittedly
  • despite this
  • in any case
  • in spite of
  • nevertheless
  • notwithstanding
  • on the other hand
  • regardless
  • still
  • while it is true that

• Contrast:
  • alternatively
  • although
  • despite this
  • however
  • in contrast
  • on the contrary
  • on the other hand
  • otherwise
  • whereas
  • yet

• Emphasis:
  • above all
  • especially
  • in fact
  • in particular
  • indeed
  • more important(ly)
  • notably
  • significantly
  • specifically
  • undoubtedly

• Illustration:
  • essentially
  • for example
  • for instance
  • in actual fact
  • it became clear that
  • such as
  • this means that
  • this shows that
  • thus
  • to illustrate

• Summary and conclusion:
  • after all
  • finally
  • in conclusion
  • in short
  • in the end
  • on the whole
  • overall
  • throughout
  • to summarise
  • ultimately

Punctuation

• Colon:
  • Appearance: ":"
  • Use: a colon is used to list, join two clauses when the second cannot stand alone, and before a quotation or direct speech.
  • Examples:
    • You will need: a calculator, ruler and pen.
    • I knew what to do: admit I had no book.
    • Sir said: “Mark is a very able statistician.”

• Semi-Colon:
  • Appearance: ";"
  • Use: a semi-colon is used in between two equal clauses, which are closely related but could stand alone.
  • Examples:
    • Lizzie went to town; I stayed at home.
    • Terry hates spiders; he finds them creepy.
    • I love dogs; however, I dislike their smell.