Business Studies A2 (2): Economic Strategies during a recessopm

Unit 4 Key Information

This unit is designed to be synoptic and draws upon all areas of the specification, including AS units. It considers the relationship between business and the external environment and will assess your knowledge of real businesses and events.

Assessment

Exam 25% of the total A level

80 raw marks = 100 UMS

Knowledge: 16

Application: 16

Analysis: 20

Evaluation: 28

Total 80

Duration: 1 hour 45 mins

Format: 2 essays

Section A choice of one of two essays based on the research theme;

Section B choice of one of three essays.

An extensive set of Tutor2u support materials has been placed on the s drive: (S:\departments\Economics and Business Studies\ Student materials\Unit 4 research theme)

Introduction to Writing an Essay in BUSS4 (from Tutor2u)

An essay question invites the student to build or develop an argument.

The essay title will invariably offer several different ways of approaching the question. But the most important thing to remember is to write an essay which directly addresses and answers the question.

A good essay is balanced. By that we mean that more than one point of view is explored, even if the essay ends with a conclusion that comes down firmly in favour of one particular side. Every argument should have at least two sides. So your essays should demonstrate to the examiner that you have considered both sides and the most important alternatives in sufficient depth. That might sound a bit daunting. However, writing a balanced essay in an A2 business exam is, in fact, surprisingly easy. Why? Because there is no such thing as a correct or certain answer in business studies.

All business decisions and issues involve uncertainty. Ask ten experienced business people to come up with a solution to a business problem or to identify the best strategy. Chances are that they would each identify a different answer, or approach the problem in different ways. After all, "strategy is choice". Business strategy involves identifying, analysing and evaluating different options - all in the context of a rapidly changing external and competitive environment. By definition, it must be possible to consider at least two options, or alternative viewpoints. You can be sure that the BUSS4 essay questions (you have a choice) will be worded in such a way as to invite a fruitful discussion and argument.

Therefore a key part of writing a convincing essay in A2 business studies is to show the examiner that you appreciate and can articulate the uncertainties that confront business people every day.

Structuring the Essay – PEE

An effective essay builds an argument based around a series of coherent and linked paragraphs. But what should go into a good paragraph? How long should an effective paragraph be? That's where the acronym PEE comes in handy.

PEE stands for:

P = PARAGRAPH MAKES A POINT

E = EXPLANATION, EVIDENCE AND EXAMPLES

E = EVALUATION

Let’s develop this a little further.

PARAGRAPH MAKES A POINT

Well written paragraphs that focus…