Write like a Political Scientist

Writing Frames

• 30-Mark Source Questions Writing Frame:
  • Introductory paragraph:
  • Main body paragraph:
  • Concluding paragraph:

• 30-Mark Essay Questions Writing Frame:
  • Introductory paragraph:
  • Main body paragraph:
    • PACE: P - introduce the premise; A - argue for the point; C - counter-argue; E - evaluate (specify whether the premise stands up to scrutiny and why).
  • Concluding paragraph:

• 24-Mark Political Ideas Questions Writing Frame:
  • Introductory paragraph:
  • Main body paragraph:
    • DATE: D - describe the issue; A - identify the areas of agreement; T - identify the causes of tension; E - reach a judgment about the extent to which there is agreement on the issue.
  • Concluding paragraph:

• 12-Mark Comparison Questions Writing Frame:
  • Introductory paragraph:
  • Main body paragraph:
  • Concluding paragraph:

• 12-Mark Comparative Theory Questions Writing Frame:
  • Introductory paragraph:
  • Main body paragraph:
  • Concluding paragraph:

• 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.
  • Comparison: by the same token; comparatively; congruently; equally; equivalently; in the same way; just as; likewise; similarly.
  • Contrast: alternatively; although; despite this; however; in contrast; on the contrary; on the other hand; otherwise; whereas; yet.
  • Illustration: essentially; for example; for instance; in actual fact; it became clear that; such as; this means that; this shows that; thus; to illustrate.
  • Cause & Effect: as a consequence; as a result; because; consequently; depending upon; inevitably; since; therefore; whenever.
  • Concession: admittedly; despite this; in any case; in spite of; nevertheless; notwithstanding; on the other hand; regardless; still; while it is true that.
  • Emphasis: above all; especially; in fact; in particular; indeed; more important(ly); notably; significantly; specifically; undoubtedly.
  • Summary & Conclusion: after all; finally; in conclusion; in short; in the end; on the whole; overall; throughout; to summarise; ultimately.