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Different Modern Studies teachers will give different advice on how to write 20 mark essays, but most would agree that the following is good practice:

1. Introduction
2. Main Body – will have four main paragraphs at least
3. Overall conclusion

Introduction

An introduction is not compulsory and does not necessarily gain any marks but it can help you set out the structure of your essay and identify what factors and issues you are going to write about.

A good introduction can be the basis of the line of argument you are going to take and identify the overall conclusion you are going to make.

Sample question:

To what extent can ill health be blamed on the lifestyle choices of the population? 20 marks

Sample introduction: There are many lifestyle choices that have an influence on ill health throughout the population. These choices can include personal ones such as eating unhealthily, smoking and drinking.

However, many people argue that there are other influences on ill health that people have little or no choice over like poverty, age, gender, ethnicity and geographic area. I will assess the extent to which these factors influence ill health.