AS Level Sociology Paper 2 (The Family) — Exact Question Techniques Based on Mark Scheme

GENERAL RULES OF THIS PAPER

This paper rewards:

• sociological theories

• sociological concepts

• named studies

• development

• direct application to the question

• explicit evaluation

The mark scheme repeatedly rewards:

• developed points

• applied material

• focused answers

• explicit evaluation

So random theory dumping without linking to the question loses marks.

4 MARK “DESCRIBE TWO WAYS” QUESTIONS

Example:

• Describe two ways the family supports capitalism

WHAT EXAMINERS WANT

For EACH way:

• identify point

• describe/explain how it works

PERFECT STRUCTURE

Way 1

Point
→ explain how it supports society/theory

Way 2

Point
→ explain effect

FORMULA

Identify
→ Explain mechanism

EXAMPLE STRUCTURE

“The family reproduces the future workforce by raising children who later become workers for capitalism.”

NOT:
“The family produces workers.”

Too vague.

6 MARK “EXPLAIN LIMITATIONS” QUESTIONS

Example:

• Explain two limitations of New Right views

MARK SCHEME REQUIREMENT

For EACH limitation:

• identify limitation

• explain why theory has this weakness

• explain why it matters

PERFECT STRUCTURE

Point

Identify criticism.

Explanation

Explain WHY theory fails.

Why it matters

Explain impact of weakness.

EXAMPLE STRUCTURE

“The New Right ignores domestic violence in nuclear families. This is because it idealises the nuclear family as naturally beneficial. This weakens the theory because many women and children experience oppression inside traditional families.”

8 MARK “EXPLAIN TWO WAYS” QUESTIONS

Example:

• Explain two ways lone-parent families are harmful according to the New Right

WHAT EXAMINERS WANT

For EACH paragraph:

• point

• explanation

• sociological material

• link to question

PERFECT STRUCTURE

Step 1 — Point

State argument.

Step 2 — Explain

Develop sociological reasoning.

Step 3 — Theory/Concept

Use theorist or concept.

Step 4 — Link Back

Explain impact on society/question.

FORMULA

Point
→ Explain
→ Sociological concept/theorist
→ Link to question

EXAMPLE

“According to Murray, lone-parent families contribute to an underclass because children may lack effective primary socialisation. Without a father figure, boys may not learn discipline, increasing deviant behaviour and social instability.”

10 MARK “EXPLAIN THIS VIEW” QUESTIONS

Example:

• ‘There is no dominant family type today.’ Explain this view.

MARK SCHEME REQUIREMENTS

Top-level answers need:

• TWO developed points

• sociological evidence

• theories/concepts

• direct focus on question

PERFECT STRUCTURE

Intro

Define issue briefly.

Paragraph 1

Point
→ development
→ theorist
→ example

Paragraph 2

Point
→ development
→ evidence
→ link back

IMPORTANT

DO NOT start evaluating.

If question says:
“Explain this view”

You SUPPORT the view only.

6 MARK “ONE ARGUMENT AGAINST THIS VIEW”

Example:

• Give one argument against this view

BIGGEST RULE

ONE argument.
Fully developed.

The mark scheme rewards depth, not many weak points.

PERFECT STRUCTURE

Clear disagreement

Development

Sociological evidence

Link to question

EXAMPLE

“Functionalists such as Murdock argue the nuclear family remains dominant because it exists in all societies and performs universal functions. Even where family diversity exists, most people still experience nuclear family life at some stage.”

26 MARK ESSAYS — MOST IMPORTANT PART OF PAPER

Examples:

• Evaluate radical feminist views

• Evaluate motherhood and fatherhood differences

WHAT EXAMINERS LOOK FOR

The mark scheme divides marks into:

AO1 — Knowledge

• theories

• concepts

• studies

AO2 — Application

• relevance to question

• development

AO3 — Evaluation

• explicit criticism

• sustained evaluation

MOST IMPORTANT RULE FOR 26 MARKERS

Evaluation must be:

• DIRECT

• EXPLICIT

• CONTINUOUS

Not just one small paragraph at the end.

PERFECT ESSAY STRUCTURE

Introduction

• define debate

• identify theories involved

• brief line of argument

4–5 lines maximum.

MAIN BODY STRUCTURE

FOR paragraph

Point
→ Explain
→ Theory/study
→ Analysis
→ Link to question

AGAINST paragraph

Counterargument
→ Theory/study
→ Why previous argument weak
→ Link back

BEST STRUCTURE

Paragraph 1

FOR

Paragraph 2

FOR

Paragraph 3

FOR

Paragraph 4

AGAINST

Paragraph 5

AGAINST

Paragraph 6

AGAINST

Conclusion

Judgement

HOW TO WRITE ANALYSIS

Weak:
“Women do unpaid labour.”

Strong:
“Women perform unpaid domestic labour which benefits men economically because it allows men to focus fully on paid employment while women absorb domestic responsibilities.”

That explains:

• mechanism

• effect

• sociological significance

HOW TO WRITE EVALUATION

Weak:
“However feminists are wrong.”

Strong:
“However liberal feminists argue radical feminists exaggerate patriarchy because women increasingly share decision-making power due to economic independence and changing gender norms.”

That:

• names competing theory

• directly challenges argument

• explains weakness

BEST EVALUATION METHODS

Competing theories

• Functionalism

• Liberal feminism

• Marxism

• Postmodernism

Criticisms

• exaggerated

• outdated

• ethnocentric

• ignores diversity

• ignores social change

Cross-cultural evaluation

• varies across societies

• western-centred assumptions

HOW TO USE STUDIES

DO NOT just name-drop.

BAD

“Oakley says women are oppressed.”

GOOD

“Oakley argues women are socialised into expressive roles through canalisation and verbal appellation, reinforcing patriarchal divisions within the family.”

HOW TO GET TOP BAND

According to the mark scheme:

AO1

Detailed theory + concepts + studies

AO2

Well-developed application directly to question

AO3

Sustained explicit evaluation

BIGGEST REASONS STUDENTS LOSE MARKS

1. Describing instead of analysing

2. No theorists/studies

3. Generic evaluation

4. Weak application to question

5. One-sided essays

6. Weak conclusions

PERFECT CONCLUSION STRUCTURE

Judgement

State strongest side.

Why

Explain briefly.

Qualification

Acknowledge complexity.

EXAMPLE

“Overall, radical feminists successfully highlight how patriarchy shapes many family relationships. However, they often exaggerate female oppression and underestimate the increasing equality and diversity present in modern families.”

TIME MANAGEMENT

4 marker

4–5 minutes

6 marker

7–8 minutes

8 marker

10 minutes

10 marker

12–15 minutes

26 marker

35–40 minutes

FINAL EXAM HACKS

To force development:

Use:

• “This means that…”

• “As a result…”

• “This reinforces…”

• “Therefore…”

To force evaluation:

Use:

• “However…”

• “In contrast…”

• “On the other hand…”

• “This argument is limited because…”

FINAL GOLDEN RULE

EVERY strong paragraph should contain:

• theory

• concept

• explanation

• application

Without all four, top-band marks become difficult.

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.