CAMBRIDGE INTERNATIONAL A LEVEL SOCIOLOGY (9699)

PAPER 4 — COMPLETE PAPER PATTERN + 35 MARK ESSAY TEMPLATE

PAPER 4 STRUCTURE

PAPER NAME:

• Globalisation, Media and Religion

TOTAL MARKS:

• 70 Marks

TOTAL QUESTIONS TO ATTEMPT:

• 2 Questions

RULE:

• Choose ONE question from TWO DIFFERENT sections.

SECTIONS IN PAPER 4

QUESTION STRUCTURE

EACH QUESTION:

• 35 Marks

QUESTION STYLE:

• Essay / Evaluation based

• Heavy analysis

• Heavy evaluation

• Theory driven

• Studies and sociologists needed

MOST COMMON COMMAND WORDS

Written and Compiled By Sir Hunain Zia (AYLOTI), World Record Holder With 154 Total A Grades, 11 World Records and 7 Distinctions, Educate A Change.

MARKING BREAKDOWN FOR 35 MARKERS

WHAT EXAMINERS WANT

TOP BAND ANSWERS REQUIRE:

• Sociologists

• Studies

• Concepts

• Chains of analysis

• Counterarguments

• Evaluation throughout

• Clear judgement

• Consistent focus on question

BIGGEST MYTH

WRONG:

• “Just write a lot.”

CORRECT:

• Focused sociological argument + evaluation = high marks.

PERFECT 35 MARK STRUCTURE

IDEAL STRUCTURE:

• Introduction

• 4 analytical paragraphs

• 4 evaluation paragraphs/counters integrated

• Conclusion

PERFECT TIME SPLIT

PERFECT INTRODUCTION TEMPLATE

STRUCTURE:

• Define key terms

• Identify debate

• Briefly mention both sides

• State essay direction

INTRO TEMPLATE EXAMPLE

Question:

• ‘Globalisation has increased equality between countries.’ Evaluate this view.

Introduction:

• Globalisation refers to the increasing interconnectedness of societies through trade, communication and culture. Some sociologists argue globalisation has reduced inequalities by creating economic opportunities and spreading technology. However, others believe it has widened inequalities because wealthy nations and TNCs benefit most. This essay will evaluate both perspectives before reaching a conclusion.

GOLDEN RULE:

• Introduction should be SHORT.

• Around 5–7 lines maximum.

Written and Compiled By Sir Hunain Zia (AYLOTI), World Record Holder With 154 Total A Grades, 11 World Records and 7 Distinctions, Educate A Change.

PERFECT BODY PARAGRAPH TEMPLATE

UNIVERSAL 35 MARK PARAGRAPH STRUCTURE

STEP 1 — POINT

• Main sociological argument.

STEP 2 — EXPLAIN

• Explain theory/concept.

STEP 3 — SOCIOLOGIST/STUDY

• Add evidence.

STEP 4 — ANALYSIS

• Explain WHY it matters.

STEP 5 — EVALUATION

• Criticise/compare/challenge.

STEP 6 — MINI-JUDGEMENT

• Link back to question.

PERFECT PARAGRAPH FORMULA

POINT

→ EXPLANATION
→ SOCIOLOGIST
→ ANALYSIS
→ EVALUATION
→ LINK BACK

EXAMPLE OF PERFECT PARAGRAPH

Point:

• Marxists argue globalisation increases inequality.

Explanation:

• TNCs exploit cheap labour in developing countries.

Sociologist:

• Wallerstein’s world systems theory suggests core countries dominate peripheral countries economically.

Analysis:

• This means poorer nations remain dependent on richer countries and cannot develop equally.

Evaluation:

• However, neoliberal sociologists argue globalisation has reduced poverty in countries such as China through industrialisation.

Link Back:

• Therefore globalisation may increase opportunities for some countries while marginalising others.

Written and Compiled By Sir Hunain Zia (AYLOTI), World Record Holder With 154 Total A Grades, 11 World Records and 7 Distinctions, Educate A Change.

HOW MANY PARAGRAPHS?

PERFECT STRUCTURE:

• 2 paragraphs supporting question

• 2 paragraphs against question

BEST PARAGRAPH ORDER

EVALUATION TECHNIQUES

TOP BAND EVALUATION TYPES

MAGIC PHRASES FOR EVALUATION

Use:

• However…

• On the other hand…

• This view is limited because…

• In contrast…

• Postmodernists would argue…

• Feminists criticise this because…

• This argument may be outdated because…

Written and Compiled By Sir Hunain Zia (AYLOTI), World Record Holder With 154 Total A Grades, 11 World Records and 7 Distinctions, Educate A Change.

HOW TO USE SOCIOLOGISTS

NEVER:

• Name drop only.

ALWAYS:

• Explain contribution.

BAD:

• “Marx said inequality exists.”

GOOD:

• “Marxists argue capitalism benefits ruling classes by exploiting workers, meaning globalisation mainly advantages wealthy corporations and developed nations.”

HOW MANY SOCIOLOGISTS?

IDEAL:

• 1–2 sociologists per paragraph.

HOW MANY STUDIES?

IDEAL:

• 4–6 total across essay.

PERFECT CONCLUSION TEMPLATE

STRUCTURE:

• Direct judgement

• Which side stronger?

• Why?

PERFECT CONCLUSION EXAMPLE

• Overall, globalisation has created opportunities for economic development in some countries, particularly newly industrialised economies. However, evidence from dependency theorists suggests benefits remain unevenly distributed, meaning inequalities between nations continue to exist. Therefore, globalisation has only partially increased equality between countries.

GOLDEN RULE:

• Conclusion MUST answer question directly.

Written and Compiled By Sir Hunain Zia (AYLOTI), World Record Holder With 154 Total A Grades, 11 World Records and 7 Distinctions, Educate A Change.

WHAT GETS LOW MARKS

LOW BAND ANSWERS:

• Narrative writing

• Weak sociology

• No evaluation

• No studies

• Generic points

• Repetition

• Descriptive paragraphs

• Weak conclusions

WHAT GETS TOP BAND

TOP BAND ANSWERS:

• Strong sociological terminology

• Continuous evaluation

• Developed chains

• Clear debate

• Relevant studies

• Sharp conclusion

• Focused argument

FINAL GOLDEN RULE FOR 35 MARKERS

EVERY PARAGRAPH MUST ANSWER:

• What is the sociological argument?

• Why is it important?

• Which sociologist supports it?

• What is the criticism?

• How does it answer the question?

ULTIMATE EXAMINER SECRET

PAPER 4 IS NOT ABOUT:

• Memorising essays.

PAPER 4 IS ABOUT:

• Building sociological arguments logically.

Written and Compiled By Sir Hunain Zia (AYLOTI), World Record Holder With 154 Total A Grades, 11 World Records and 7 Distinctions, Educate A Change.