Answering Essay Questions

Law Skills Series
Answering Essay Questions in

Examinations
Developed by Dr Jaspal Kaur Sadhu Singh
An opportunity for the student to

demonstrate:
Knowledge in the subject matter
mastery of course material
Application of skills ability to
apply knowledge
Why do we have
examinations?
Law Skills Series: Examination Skills - Dr Jaspal Kaur Sadhu Singh
Guidance as to how essay questions

should be answered
Skills these type of questions aim to
ask
Offer some advice tips for
examination and avoiding pitfalls
Objective of session
What essays aim to assess

Types of essay questions
Structure
Expectations in essay questions
Tips for examinations & Avoiding
Pitfalls
Outline
First Level
Knowledge
Comprehension
Second Level
Application
Analysis
Evaluation
Third Level
Synthesis
Aim of Essay Questions

Knowledge
Comprehension
Application
Analysis
Evaluation
Synthesis
Recalling or remembering
Understanding something that has been told
Using concepts to solve problems
Breaking it down into parts; Analysis of
relationships between parts
Judging value of principles or methods using
definite criteria
Creating something new
Aim of Essay Questions

Describe how laws are made in

Parliament?
What are the elements that must exist
in order for a contract to be formed?
State the tenets of the Doctrine of
Separation of Powers
Knowledge
Set out the advantages of alternative

dispute resolution.
How to distinguish an offer from an
invitation to treat?
How is murder different to
manslaughter?
Comprehension
If an accused has consensual sex with

a girl who is 12, does this amount to
rape?
Need to apply elements of the crime found
in Section 5 Sexual Offences Act 2003
Application
Is the UK Parliament still supreme in

view of UKs membership into the EU?
Analysis
10
Critically evaluate the implications

of the Fraud Act 2006 and consider
if it has addressed the
shortcomings of the previous
deception offences.
Evaluation
11
Reforms and Recommendations

Case Law
Statute Law
Journal articles (Recommendation)
News articles (Recommendation)
Synthesis
12
Whole Question
Describe the legislative process for a public government
bill.
[LMS]
Critically discuss the similarities and differences between
constructive manslaughter and gross negligent
manslaughter and consider if there is a need to continue to
have two separate offences. Students should consider the
applicability and substantial requirements of both offences.
[Criminal Law]
Types of Question
13
Part Question On the same topic

Necessity is a form of duress of circumstances.
a) Explain the law relating to the defences of necessity and
duress of circumstances; and
b) Discuss the accuracy of the above statement with
reference to case law.
[Criminal Law]
Types of Question
14

1. Judicial independence is not given to judges as a privilege which goes
with their office. It is an essential safeguard of individual liberty and of the
communitys entitlement ot have its disputes, particularly those with the
government of the day and the institutions of the community, heard and
decided by a judge who is independent of them all.
a) How important is judicial independence? [5 marks]
b) What was the extent of independence guaranteed under the old system
of appointment, selection and disciplining (the pre-Constitutional Reform
Act 2005 position? [15 marks]
c) How successful have the reforms been in ensuring that judicial
independence is upheld by virtue of the Constitutional Reform Act 2005?
[15 marks]
d) Are the problems of the past successfully exorcised? [5 marks]
Synthesis
Types of Question
15

Britain is on the verge of constitutional upheaval
Britain is a country in the grip of a modernising frenzy. Depending on the outcome of the
referendum (which will be held on May 5th), the general election (set to be held on May
2015) may use a new voting system Voters (will be asked) to choose between keeping
the first-past-the-post (FPTP) (or) moving to the alternative-vote (AV) method.
Under another set of proposals, due to be unveiled in May [is the reform of the] House of
Lords. [It will] be replaced, by [an] elected house (possibly called a Senate) of as few
as 300 members. According to press leaks, 80% of its members would be elected by a form
of proportional representation (PR)for single terms of 15 years. The remaining 20%
would be appointedThe 92 remaining hereditary peers would be ejected from Parliament,
as would most (but not all) of the 25 Anglican bishops and archbishops who sit in todays
House of Lords
The years of Labour rule, from 1997 until 2010, were times of frequent alterations The
ancient office of Lord Chancellor was broken into three. A Supreme Court of the United
Kingdom was established and hundreds of hereditary peers kicked out of the Lords.
[The Brits] will be living with the constitutional consequences for many years to come.
The Economist Apr 28, 2011
Types of Question
16

Answer the following questions
(Compulsory)
1) Define the House of Commons.
(5)
2) Describe the First Past the Post System.
(15)
With reference to the article above, answer 1 question (20 marks each)
3) Paragraph 1 of the article above states that ....Voters (will be asked) to choose between
keeping the first-past-the-post (FPTP) (or) moving to the alternative-vote (AV) method.
a) What is the AV method? How does it work?
b) Briefly state the advantages and disadvantages of the current FPTP system which UK
currently adopts.
4) Paragraph 2 of the article above states that the reform of the House of Lords[
will] be replaced, by [an] elected house (possibly called a Senate)
What possible advantages and disadvantages may occur from an elected House of Lords?
5) By altering the current position of the Lord Chancellor and establishing the Supreme
Court, has the UK finally followed the doctrine of Separation of Powers?
Students are required to discuss both positions before the Constitutional Reform Act 2005.
Types of Question
17
Part Question Different and unrelated areas

(outdated)
(a) State the role of Law Magistrates.
(b) How are jurors selected?
Types of Question
18
Introduction Scene-setting (10)

Body of Content Answering the
Question (80)
Concluding Remarks (10)
Structure
19
A general introduction/definition of the

subject matter of the question
State the interpretation of the question in your
own words unpack the question if there is
a quote, paraphrase it in your own words
Set out the stages of your answer
Introduction
20
Sy
nt
he
sis
Discussion
Description
Content
21
Description
Describing the
subject matter
Understanding of
the subject matter
Knowledge of the
subject matter
Content
22
Discussion
Content
Critical analysis and

evaluation
Evaluating the subject
matter
Use criteria of evaluation
Draw positives/negatives;
advantages/disadvantages
; strengths/weaknesses.
23
Synthesis
Reforms and
recommendations
Raising unanswered
questions (Recent
reforms)
What next in the law?
(Recommendation)
Content
24
Revisiting the question

Summarising the points in the
discussion
Agree or disagree
Comment on veracity and accuracy
of the statement in the question
Concluding Remarks
25
Summarising material
Frequency of topical questions
Preparation of model answers
Time management
Attempting PYQs
Tips for Prior to the Examinations

26
Reading the instructions

Number of Qs to be answered
Allocation of Marks
Reading the Question understanding,

identifying key words
Reading the Question making choices
Identifying the breadth, scope & depth
what is the focus?
Tips for During the Examinations

27
Sketch out a brief essay plan

Highlighting authorities statutes,
cases
Use of Headings
Watch the time!
Answer the Question!
Tips for During the Examinations
28
Lack of organisation
Padding
Senseless use of authority
Negative issue spotting
Memorised knowledge
Question-begging
Pitfalls
Extracts from Writing Law Examinations, John H Langbein, Professor of Law, Yale Law School
29
Lack of opposing view points

Lack of voice
Poor writing grammar, legible
handwriting, avoid using
abbreviated words (text language),
paragraphing between points.
Avoid jocularity
Pitfalls
Extracts from Writing Law Examinations, John H Langbein, Professor of Law, Yale Law School
30
Good Luck and Thank You

31

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Law Skills Series

Answering Essay Questions in

An opportunity for the student to

Guidance as to how essay questions

What essays aim to assess

Aim of Essay Questions

Aim of Essay Questions

Describe how laws are made in

Set out the advantages of alternative

If an accused has consensual sex with

Is the UK Parliament still supreme in

Critically evaluate the implications

Reforms and Recommendations

Part Question On the same topic

Part Question On the same topic

Part Question On the same topic

Part Question On the same topic

Part Question Different and unrelated areas

Introduction Scene-setting (10)

A general introduction/definition of the

Critical analysis and

Law Skills Series: Examination Skills - Dr Jaspal Kaur Sadhu Singh

Revisiting the question

Tips for Prior to the Examinations

Reading the instructions

Reading the Question understanding,

Tips for During the Examinations

Sketch out a brief essay plan

Lack of opposing view points

Good Luck and Thank You

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