Why Structure Decides Marks

• Structure determines clarity.

• Examiners mark using predictable patterns.

• A perfect structure compensates for forgotten details.

• A* students follow a blueprint, not “feelings.”

• 10-mark and 15-mark questions require different depth.

• Most students write too much for 10-marks and too little for 15-marks.

• Structure controls AO1, AO2, AO3 distribution automatically.

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Differences Between 10-Mark and 15-Mark Questions

Use a table for clarity:

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Blueprint Step 1: Identify Question Type

Questions fall into three categories:

1. Pure Knowledge Questions (ELS-heavy)

Examples:

• “Explain the mischief rule.”

• “Describe the powers of the police to arrest.”

• “Explain judicial precedent.”

2. Scenario Questions (Criminal Law + Offences)

Examples:

• “Apply the law on robbery to the scenario.”

• “Advise whether burglary is committed.”

• “Analyse liability for criminal damage.”

3. Hybrid Knowledge + Application Questions

Examples:

• “Explain the rule of law and apply it to the following situation.”

• “Explain recklessness and apply it to the facts.”

Different types → different structures.

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Written and Compiled By Sir Hunain Zia, World Record Holder With 154 Total A Grades, 7 Distinctions and 11 World Records For Educate A Change AS Level Law Free Material

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Blueprint Step 2: Use MIRAC Instead of IRAC

MIRAC = Multiple IRAC Cycles, one per element.

For 10 Marks:

• 3–4 MIRAC cycles.

• Each cycle:

  • Issue

  • Rule

  • Application

  • Mini-conclusion

For 15 Marks:

• 5–7 MIRAC cycles.

• Include embedded evaluation:

  • strength

  • weakness

  • alternative interpretation

  • policy consideration

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Blueprint Step 3: Start With an Ultra-Short Framing Line

Examples:

• “Liability for theft involves six elements.”

• “Robbery requires proof of theft + force.”

• “Arrest under PACE requires necessity.”

• “Interpretation involves four primary approaches.”

Just one line.
Not an intro.
Not a summary.
Just a frame.

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Blueprint Step 4: Create Element Blocks

(Using sub-point format)

Example: Theft

• 1. Appropriation
  a. Rule: s3 assumption of rights
  b. Case: Morris/Hinks
  c. Application (if scenario): link to fact
  d. Mini-conclusion

• 2. Property
  a. Rule: s4 includes money, goods, intangible
  b. Case: Oxford v Moss for limits
  c. Application
  d. Mini-conclusion

• 3. Belonging to Another
  a. Rule: s5 includes possession, control
  b. Case: Turner
  c. Application
  d. Mini-conclusion

• 4. Dishonesty
  a. Rule: Ivey objective standard
  b. Application
  c. Mini-conclusion

• 5. ITPD
  a. Rule: s6 includes treating property as own
  b. Case: Lloyd
  c. Application
  d. Mini-conclusion

Perfect for 15-marks.
10-marks = fewer, more compressed.

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Written and Compiled By Sir Hunain Zia, World Record Holder With 154 Total A Grades, 7 Distinctions and 11 World Records For Educate A Change AS Level Law Free Material

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Blueprint Step 5: Use Tables in Long Answers

Example: Burglary Structure Table

Tables improve structure and increase examiner comfort → higher marks.

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Blueprint Step 6: Length Strategy

10-Mark Answer Length

• 14–18 bullet points

• 3–4 major blocks

• 3–4 cases

• Minimal evaluation

• Clear MIRAC cycles

15-Mark Answer Length

• 24–32 bullet points

• 5–7 major blocks

• 5–8 cases

• Embedded strengths/weaknesses

• MIRAC + evaluation

• Small comparative insights

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Blueprint Step 7: Evaluation In 15-Mark Answers

Use a dedicated sub-point after each element.

How to evaluate in Criminal Law

• “However, intention may be difficult to prove in borderline cases.”

• “Recklessness standard criticised for uncertainty (Cunningham vs R v G).”

• “Policy concerns: protecting victims vs fairness to defendant.”

Evaluation for ELS (precedent, interpretation, DL)

• “Strength: certainty.”

• “Weakness: inflexibility or outdated decisions.”

• “Alternative view: purposive approach increases fairness but reduces predictability.”

• “Policy: Parliament’s supremacy vs judicial creativity.”

Short but high-value.

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Blueprint Step 8: Structure Differences Illustrated

Example: 10-Mark Criminal Damage Answer

• Short frame

• Destroy/damage → rule + Hardman

• Property → rule

• Belonging to another → rule

• MR → intent/recklessness + R v G

• Lawful excuse → rule + Jaggard

• Small conclusion

Total: 15–18 bullet-points.

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Example: 15-Mark Criminal Damage Answer

• Short frame

• Destroy/damage → Hardman

• Evaluate small point on “temporary impairment”

• Property

• Belonging to another

• Intent/recklessness → R v G

• Evaluate recklessness debate

• Lawful excuse → Jaggard

• Evaluate mistake of fact

• Table comparing lawful vs unlawful

• Final mini-conclusion

Total: 28–32 bullet-points.

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Written and Compiled By Sir Hunain Zia, World Record Holder With 154 Total A Grades, 7 Distinctions and 11 World Records For Educate A Change AS Level Law Free Material

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Blueprint Step 9: Apply Cases with Micro-Ratios

Use extremely short ratios:

• Morris — switching labels is appropriation

• Hinks — gifts can be appropriation

• Turner — property belongs to another

• Oxford v Moss — information not property

• Dawson & James — minimal force is enough

• Clouden — force on property counts

• Brown — effective entry

• Ryan — partial entry

• Collins — trespass requires absence of permission

• Hardman — temporary impairment counts as damage

• Jaggard — mistaken belief in consent can be lawful excuse

• White — but-for

• Roberts — foreseeable escape

• Pagett — third-party acts

• Blaue — thin skull

• Mohan — aim

• Woollin — virtual certainty

• Cunningham — subjective recklessness

• R v G — modern recklessness

Perfect for 15-marks.

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Blueprint Step 10: Adapt Structure Based on Question Command Word

Students lose marks by ignoring command words.
A* students structure answers according to these.

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Blueprint Step 11: Use “Element Headers” for Clarity

Always identify element in bold:

• Appropriation

• Dishonesty (Ivey)

• Force (s8)

• Entry (Brown)

• Trespass (Collins)

• Recklessness (Cunningham/R v G)

Headers = structure.
Structure = marks.

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Blueprint Step 12: Use the 40:40:20 Rule for 15 Marks

• 40% AO1 → definitions + cases

• 40% AO2 → element-by-element application

• 20% AO3 → evaluation embedded

This ratio fits examiner expectations.

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Blueprint Step 13: Avoid the Common “One Big Paragraph” Disaster

Never write:

• One giant block

• Multiple rules together

• Cases dumped without application

• A conclusion at the end only

Instead:

• Break into micro-blocks

• MIRAC for each

• Cases only inside blocks

• Mini-conclusions everywhere

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Blueprint Step 14: Use a Table to Plan Your Answer

Example planning table for burglary (s9(1)(a)):

15-mark perfection.

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Written and Compiled By Sir Hunain Zia, World Record Holder With 154 Total A Grades, 7 Distinctions and 11 World Records For Educate A Change AS Level Law Free Material

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Blueprint Step 15: Write Micro-Conclusions Correctly

Examples:

• “Therefore, appropriation is likely established.”

• “Thus, force within s8 is present.”

• “Therefore, entry was effective.”

• “Thus, MR for criminal damage is satisfied.”

• “Hence, burglary under s9(1)(a) is likely.”

Mini-conclusions improve clarity and mark distribution.

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Blueprint Step 16: Don’t Mix AR and MR

Always treat them separately.

Example for robbery:

• AR: Force used

• MR: Intent/recklessness for force

Mixing them lowers AO2.

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Blueprint Step 17: Avoid the Most Common Structural Mistakes

• Writing ALL AO1 first → WRONG

• Writing ALL application first → WRONG

• Forgetting to identify section numbers

• Forgetting to apply every element separately

• Mixing elements (esp. theft elements)

• Using irrelevant cases

• Writing too little for 15-marks

• Writing too much for 10-marks

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Blueprint Step 18: Use the “Anchor Sentence” Technique

Begin sections with:

• “Under s3…”

• “Under s4…”

• “According to case law…”

• “In this scenario…”

• “Here,”

• “Therefore,”

• “This suggests…”

Anchor sentences guide examiners.

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Blueprint Step 19: Make Every Sentence Earn Marks

Ask yourself:

• Does this define a rule?

• Does this apply the fact?

• Does this cite a case?

• Does this conclude an element?

• Does this evaluate?

If no → remove it.

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Blueprint Step 20: Final Structural Templates

10-Mark Template

• Element 1 (rule + case + application)

• Element 2 (rule + case + application)

• Element 3 (rule + case + application)

• Small final line

15-Mark Template

• Frame line

• Element 1

  • Rule

  • Case

  • Application

  • Evaluation

• Element 2

  • Same pattern

• Element 3

• Element 4

• Element 5

• Mini-conclusion