COMPONENT 02: ESSAY

HOW DO YOU STRUCTURE YOUR

GLOBAL ESSAY?
 Essay structure
Introduction -There are six elements to consider including
(360-460 words) in your introduction.

Body 1: -Paragraphs outlining different perspectives

(700-800 words) on your topic
Main
-Synthesis of your research material and
body
Body 2 & 3: evaluation of this information from
(600-700 words) -Reflections on what you have explored and
learned
Conclusion -It is the final weighing up of the reflection,
(100-150 words) giving an answer to your question.

Bibliography -Citations
(outside word count) -Bibliography
Case study:

‘Is plastic waste the primary

source of pollution on Earth?’
Introduction (360-460 words)
Shows clearly where the essay is going to lead the reader, and should include:

• your opening sentence –how to ‘hook’ the reader

• your explanation of a central controversy or differing views
• your motivation –why you are writing this
• Your personal opinion
• any key definitions
• any limitations you need to acknowledge
 Opening sentence: your opening sentence –how to ‘hook’ the reader
This is where you grab your reader’s attention. Compare the three examples below.
A
This essay explores whether or not plastic waste is the A Factual, but does it
most prevalent source of pollution. excite the reader?

B
Plastic waste. Is it the primary source of pollution in the B While not strictly one
world? Or is it simply a myth that it is clogging our sentence, this entices the
oceans? In this essay, I will be exploring different reader with contrasting
perspectives. rhetorical questions.

C
From ‘the plastic age’ to oceans becoming the ‘plastic C Using dramatic
super-highways’ (Parker & Olson, 2019), it seems we quotations, this immerses
the reader.
are surrounded by plastic.
Controversy: your explanation of a central controversy or differing views
This is where you show you understand that there are different viewpoints on the topic.
How has this been done in the following extract?

The 21st century has seen the rise of concem about what
humanity is doing with the planet. Many argue that we are
using and throwing away too much plastic and so damaging
our environment by killing the wildlife that gets caught in
or eats plastic. However, others [1] living under the
flightpath of busy airports will argue that CO2 emissions
from fossil fuels pose a far greater threat to the
environment, leading to global warming and rising waters [1] Clear contrast in
which could annihilate low-lying land. views set out.
 Motivation: your motivation –why you are writing this
Writing about why you chose the topic will ensure that both you and your reader become engaged
in the essay. Again, there are several approaches you could employ. Look at these three examples.
A
I recently attended a Model United Nations (MUN) conference and was on the
committee for environmental management. I was struck by how much rubbish is
generated globally and how much of it was plastic. I was further struck by the
seemingly indestructible nature of plastic combined with its ubiquity in all lives
from rich to poor, east to west. This led me to enquire whether plastic might not
be the most dangerous pollutant in the world.
B
On a recent visit to the beach, I was horrified at the level of garbage that
covered the sand. I noticed that much of it was discarded plastic and wondered
whether this pattern was repeated elsewhere.

C
I have noticed how the kitchen cupboard door was hard to shut because of the
plastic bags stored there with no hope of recycling, and this led me to this
research on plastic as a global enemy.
Personal opinion:
It forms a central part of your argument as you will revisit it in your
reflection after you have evaluated your research. You will notice that
personal opinion often links to motivation. All three of the examples
above suggest the writer starts out by thinking of plastic as the primary
source of global pollution.
Definition:
Definitions provide essential information to inform understanding of key terms used in the
essay, which might come with assumptions, depending on perspective. It is often
important to identify and define these key terms right at the start of the essay. It is not
about explaining or translating a word for the reader; it is about setting clear boundaries
for its precise meaning you intend when using a term in your arguments. For example, you
would probably want to define 'plastic waste' in your introduction, and acknowledge its
source as shown here:

Plastic waste is 'the accumulation of plastic objects (e.g. plastic bottles and
much more) in Earth's environment that adversely affects wildlife, wildlife
habitat. and humans.' (Wikipedia)
 Limitations:
Finally, your issue should be so interesting that 2000 words can only cover a
small portion of the potential scope for this area. You need to acknowledge
this in order to narrow the amount of material included in your essay.

The rising tide of plastic waste is formed from many items, [1] Shows limitation in
such as packaging materials. microbeads in beauty the kind of waste the
essay focuses on.
products, fashion fabrics and accessories, and hygiene
products. This essay focuses on rubbish created by plastic
bags and bottles [1] as these are clearly visible, and
countries such as Kenya and England [2] have legislated
[2] Shows geographic
policies revealing different perspectives.
limitation.

You will revisit these limitations at the end of the essay to indicate where further
work might take you.
Main body
Shows identified perspectives, analyses and evaluates sources, synthesises the
argument and reflects on perspectives on your issue. The body usually falls into
three parts, with the important reflection section leading into the (short)
conclusion.

• Body 1: Perspectives (700-800 words)

• Body 2: Synthesis
(600-700 words)
• Body 3: Reflection
 Body 1: Perspectives (700-800 words)
• paragraphs outlining different perspectives on topic
Perspectives on the topic, supporting the work with:
• Identification of theme and perspective • evaluation of sources
• link to global area • use of case studies/evidence.

In many countries access to clean water is limited, despite

[1] Disease not caused by
it being one of the key rights listed in the UN Declaration plastic
of Human Rights (United Nations Media Brief, 2010). This
can be seen in Zimbabwe, where waterborne disease is
[2] Alternative use for
endemic. [1] Families need to buy water in plastic bottles rubbish?
to survive. and the rubbish created is often a source of
income for someone else who collects the bottles for re-
use. [2] The primary source of pollution in these areas is [3] Clear, alternative
not plastic but rather failed sewage systems. [3] perspective
 Body 2: Synthesis Here, you combine information and evaluation of evidence. For
example, the above paragraph could be supported as follows.

• Synthesis of the perspectives covered, linking or contrasting themes and global

areas.

[1] Users first-hand

Evidence of the failed sewage system can be found in a evidence from a
BBC report, https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa- reputable source,
45546699, (Nyoka, 2018), which shows pictures of people supporting an alternative
walking beside an open ditch of sewage from a burst pipe. perspective that plastic
The BBC used a local reporter who actually saw the pollution is not the
situation, but the real impact comes from the authority of primary cause.
an internationally recognised news organisation. [1]
Further synthesis inevitably merges into the reflection. This portion of the essay can only really
come together once you have created the first part of the body.

The following shows a brief synthesis of findings on single-use plastic bags.

There seems to be a global consensus on reducing [1] This sentence has been derived
the use of single-use plastic bags for shopping, as from perspective paragraphs that
talked about legislation banning the
seen through the strict legislation from places as use of single-use plastic shopping
diverse as Kenya, the USA and most of Europe. [1] bags.
However, during the lockdown imposed in
March/April 2020 as a result of the Covid-19 [2] This contrasting viewpoint
comes from paragraphs dealing with
pandemic, shoppers became concerned that their research on the increase in the use
'bags for life' were able to harbour the virus and so of plastics, especially shopping bags
transmit it easily. [2] The perspective of 'doing at the start of the global pandemic
one's bit to save the planet' was frowned on. in the UK.
Instead, adopting single-use bags and disposing of
[3] The writer combines ideas,
them responsibly became the 'correct' thing to do, contrasting irresponsible and
especially with regard to those people in a vulnerable responsible use of plastic to avoid
category, i.e. the sick or elderly. [3] health risks.
Body 3: Reflection
Reflecting on your work the key part of your essay.
• It is here you set up for your conclusion - can the answer be 'yes' from one
point of view and 'no' from another?
• Is there a prevailing viewpoint?
• Has your Initial opinion been modified or not and why?
 Reflection is a key part of your essay and is where your work gets really interesting. Part of
your reflection should be about how your initial viewpoint has been affected by your
research. For example:

[1] This sentence has been derived

Initially, I considered plastic waste to be a major
from perspective paragraphs that
player in polluting the world. My research into the talked about legislation banning the
'islands' of plastic in the oceans, together with the use of single-use plastic shopping
damage done to rivers in sub-Saharan Africa from bags.
blockages caused by plastic bags, seems to confirm [2] This contrasting viewpoint
this. [1] However, when considering the need for comes from paragraphs dealing with
access to clean drinking water, [2] I realised that research on the increase in the use
some uses of plastic waste in the form of bottles of plastics, especially shopping bags
could potentially prevent the spread of disease. at the start of the global pandemic
in the UK.
Then you should look at the various perspectives you have researched and reflect on (think
critically about) how contrasting views change or challenge previous ideas.

The evidence of plastic waste in the ocean washing

up on nearly every beach in the world, coupled with
the horrific stories of bird life being destroyed by
strangulation from plastic seemed to confirm that
plastic is a global pollutant. However, evidence from
slum areas shows that raw sewage remains a massive [1] Weighing up two kinds of
problem in terms of causing deadly diseases. [1] pollution.

Clearly, the body of the essay will be more extensive than the paragraph examples provided
here, but you now have a style and structural guide on which to base your own work.
Conclusion (100-150 words)
Here, you must answer the question but you also need briefly to acknowledge the limitations of the
essay and suggest further areas of exploration.
This section of the essay is generally short. It is the final weighing up of the reflection, giving an
answer to your question.
Your answer does not have to be totally 'yes' or 'no'; it can fall anywhere along a scale from O to
100. This allows you to hold on to your opinion while acknowledging that the answer may be
different if considering it from someone else's perspective.
 The reflection above might conclude:

The evidence considered in this essay shows that for

beach-dwelling communities and marine life, plastic is
the primary cause of pollution. However, people living
in the townships around many cities in countries like
Zimbabwe, India and Brazil would argue that raw [1] Sums up gist of the debate.
sewage is a far greater problem. [1] So, to answer
my question, plastic waste would seem to be the
primary source of pollution in the sea but not in
[2] Strong, clear conclusion-around
urban areas, where more research needs to be 50 on the scale.
carried out. [2]

The conclusion also needs to acknowledge that you

have only touched on one small part of your topic.
 Limitations/ Further research
You have acknowledged in the introduction to your essay the word limitations (the essay
only looked at plastic bags and bottles). In your conclusion, you will show where further
research might be valuable.

This essay has only considered a small portion of the

problems caused by plastic waste. It shows there is
a balance in terms of pollution between bags and
bottles and sewage. However, a significant source of
pollution can also be found in the use of
microplastics by the fashion industry, and this would
need to be explored further to establish the full [1] Shows understanding of the
nuances of this debate.
scope of plastic pollution. [1]
Bibliography (outside word count)
This is where you provide the full details of your cited research. This is
not part of the word count, but is a required and vital part of your
coursework.
Issue question • Global Topic-35 • Themes-7 • Criteria-5

Shows clearly where the • a strong, engaging opening sentence • the controversy that exists
Introduction
essay is going to lead • your motivation for choosing the topic • your initial opinion prior to
360-460
the reader, and should • the purpose of your exploration (the research
words
include: question) • any relevant definitions.
Research Perspectives on the topic, supporting the work with:
Shows identified
/Perspectives perspectives. analyses Body-1 • Identification of theme and • evaluation of sources
700-800 and evaluates sources, Perspectives perspective • use of case
words synthesises the and • link to global area studies/evidence.
reflects on your issue, Body-2 Synthesis of the perspectives covered, linking or contrasting themes
Reflection The body usually falls Synthesis and global areas.
/Synthesis into three parts, with
Reflection: Reflecting on your work the key part of your essay. It is
600-700 the important reflection
Body-3 here you set up for your conclusion - can the answer be 'yes' from one
words section leading into the
Reflection point of view and 'no' from another? Is there a prevailing viewpoint?
(short) conclusion.
Has your Initial opinion been modified or not and why?
Conclusion
Here, you must answer the question but you also need briefly to acknowledge the limitations of the essay and
100-140
suggest further areas of exploration.
words
This is where you provide the full details of your cited research. This is not part of the word count, but is a
Bibliography
required and vital part of your coursework.
 Input Output Standard
Materials & Skills Essay-Academic Mark scheme

Create issue

question 1a-Analysis of question
AO1: Research, analysis
1b-Building and
perspectives
AO1 1c-Range of sources

Perspective-1
evaluation1d-Appropriateness of sources
Understanding Perspective-2
YES perspectives
NO
1e-Comparative evaluation
Identify,

Arguments 
evaluate &
compare Arguments Issue Global topic Themes
1,2,3 advanced 1,2,3 Body-2
question 2a-Consideration
35 7of contrasting

reading &
find key
Synthesis
AO2
perspectives
AO2: Reflection
Introduction
Motivation and impact on
2b-ReflectionControversy
Body-3 Purpose
personal viewpoint

Researching and using sources Reflection 2c-Further research
Identify/ Link to
?
Body-1
Academic style Perspecives
Conclusion analyse global area

?
Referencing
AO3
AO3:
Synthesis
Communication
of
3a-Structure
Bibliography perspectives
Contrasting
3b-Referencingthemes

Structure of essay