Geography essays MEGATHREAD!!

lauzie2011

I think every geography student is grateful to sue honan for writing that book

bobjimmy

Yeah the book is a life saver but i dont feel the option questions are good in it. Most of them are layed out either in 1 big essay or with only 2 headings. This is exactly what my teacher told me not to do.

Mysteriouschic

bobjimmy wrote: »

Yeah the book is a life saver but i dont feel the option questions are good in it. Most of them are layed out either in 1 big essay or with only 2 headings. This is exactly what my teacher told me not to do.

What way are we supposed to do them?
My teacher hasn't gone to it yet although I've it covered from last year my teacher just gave us sample answers like that .

Cruel Sun

Im basically using that Sue Honan book to learn the entire course. I don't ever listen in class I just day dream, and I can honestly say that I haven't taken in more then 2 srp's in the last 2 years from Geography class. Don't know what I would do if that book did'nt exist.

Geographyhater

Could anyone help me with the human elective i really dont know where to start ive been using sue honans book for everything else. What essays should i go learning?

Incompetent

I couldn't see this explained anywhere so I better ask:
For regional, should we learn primary, secondary, and tertiary everywhere?

So far I've done GDA, Mezzo, Brazil. Must I do an answer for BMW and Paris Basin also?

Canard

Yup, they can be specific and they'll probably throw on some kind of Italy/Paris comparison q like they did with Ireland last year

Mysteriouschic

Geographyhater wrote: »

Could anyone help me with the human elective i really dont know where to start ive been using sue honans book for everything else. What essays should i go learning?

For the human elective
- Know how to draw a sketch map
- OS map evidence of historical settlements
- Settlement patterns
- Population density/distribution
- Migration - impacts ,changes in migration trends
- Impact of urban growth
- Cities - opportunites/problems
- Central place theory
- Land use models
- Urban planning strategies

Geographyhater

Mysteriouschic wrote: »

Geographyhater wrote: »

Could anyone help me with the human elective i really dont know where to start ive been using sue honans book for everything else. What essays should i go learning?

For the human elective
- Know how to draw a sketch map
- OS map evidence of historical settlements
- Settlement patterns
- Population density/distribution
- Migration - impacts ,changes in migration trends
- Impact of urban growth
- Cities - opportunites/problems
- Central place theory
- Land use models
- Urban planning strategies

Any essays in particular for this year do you know ?

Mysteriouschic

Geographyhater wrote: »

Any essays in particular for this year do you know ?

Overpopulation I'd say would be a good one to know and cause/effects of it.
Land use theories, urban growth. They should all be in the Sue Honan book (I have the old version though)

I'm not quite sure about the rest , just make sure to know at least all of those and the human elective list. An know them well, I think settlement comes up quite a bit too . I couldn't really say what might come up this year an it's not really worth taking the risk, if you just make sure to be able to cover that in the list . Theres questions related to those in the front of the exam papers if you look under the human elective part.

Canard

Anyone got a similar list for the economic elective?

Mysteriouschic

Patchy~ wrote: »

Anyone got a similar list for the economic elective?

It's worth looking in the front of the exam papers under the economic elective part. I completely overlooked it before , it's quite useful. Thats where I got the list for the human elective .

Geographyhater

Mysteriouschic wrote: »

Geographyhater wrote: »

Any essays in particular for this year do you know ?

Overpopulation I'd say would be a good one to know and cause/effects of it.
Land use theories, urban growth. They should all be in the Sue Honan book (I have the old version though)

I'm not quite sure about the rest , just make sure to know at least all of those and the human elective list. An know them well, I think settlement comes up quite a bit too . I couldn't really say what might come up this year an it's not really worth taking the risk, if you just make sure to be able to cover that in the list . Theres questions related to those in the front of the exam papers if you look under the human elective part.

Thanks you seem like you know your geography ! Me on the other hand im not so good. physical and geoecology i got undercontrol. Its just the elective and regional im having problems! I guess ill just have to learn a few essays off the sue honan book.

Have you got any advice studying geography or just memorise certain essays off the sue honan book

Mysteriouschic

Geographyhater wrote: »

Thanks you seem like you know your geography ! Me on the other hand im not so good. physical and geoecology i got undercontrol. Its just the elective and regional im having problems! I guess ill just have to learn a few essays off the sue honan book.

Have you got any advice studying geography or just memorise certain essays off the sue honan book

I'm just making sure I have everything covered. I've looked at the front of the exam papers where it what we should know in the student essential part.
I'm just learning sample answers really most is in the sue honan book occasionally it isn't and i just use my book then get my teacher to correct it then learn it off.

Inimitable

I am not sure how to answer long questions in Geography. Some of the terminology confuses me especially when they as you to "Discuss" things!

Where do you begin to answer a question like that????

Could someone give me help????

Also, what are SRP's and how do you make/find them?

Celly Smunt

make your point,elaborate your point,conclude your point.

Inimitable

Yeah, but when answering lets say a 30mk question at higher level and you are required to give 15 SRP's minimum would I have to repeat that process 15 times?

You see I am unsure as to what exactly an SRP is?

Inimitable

Anyone got any tips????

17Dan21

For my essays I cut an A4 page in half and write summary notes of different essays. It doesn't take long to do and they can be learned quite quickly.

Mr Teacha

<snip>

No advertising on thread, your site is already in the useful links thread, please leave it at that - Mod

biohaiid

Am I writing too much?
All my essays are at least 4 pages long, but they're the ones my teacher gave me.
I have at least 40 srps in all of them, but then someone on here (cant remember who) said you dont need 40 srps?
I can hardly get my essays written in the time limit.
Help. Confused.

Canard

Whaaat, you need 24 srps!
Four headings = 6 under each; 3 headings = 8 under each.
No need for 40

biohaiid

Patchy~ wrote: »

Whaaat, you need 24 srps!
Four headings = 6 under each; 3 headings = 8 under each.
No need for 40

Im still kinda confused.
So if I only need 6 srps under each heading where do all the other marks get made up?

Canard

4 marks go for the actual heading itself, so thats 12 if you use 3, or 16 if you use 4.

If you use 4, you get 4 more marks under each for Overall Coherence, i.e. how well you've answered it. Its like getting marks for getting marks! If you use 3 headings you get 7/7/6 under the three headings.

To be honest I'm not 100% sure how they work because my teacher doesnt give me OC marks but he said that when I pointed it out to him haha, but I guarantee thats how its done. If you look at the marking scheme its pretty simple, it has two columns; one for 3 headings and one for 4, then it says "Identifying aspect: 4 marks; 6 x SRPs; Overall Coherence: 4 marks" or something similar

biohaiid

I get it now.
I went over my mock and I had like 20 extra marks.
Thats not including 16 for coherence hah.
So although my examiner was VERY linent I think I can cut down a good bit.
I'll have to, especially since I didnt have time for a full 30 marker.
Just out of interest, did you get full marks using that marking scheme in your mock?

Canard

Haha :') Plenty there!
I got 68/80 on "The formation of mid-latitude depressions and the weather patterns associated with them" but I'd been expecting to be able to use Anti-cyclones as a fourth heading, but I couldnt. I probably should've left it at 3 but like I said, my teacher doesnt do the OC marks so I'd have automatically lost 20 marks but I think I should've gotten 72-76 What'd you get in your mock one?

Oh and yeah, definitely dont leave out things to finish other questions, its always better to get everything attempted

Scarlett Scout

just thought I'd mention that in my mock the correcter wrote on it saying not to but headings on the pages just use paragraphs - it's meant to be an essay style Q.

Also make sure to put and intro. and conclusion on it

by having heading and no conclusion I lost 6 coherence marks :pac:

Canard

You're definitely supposed to put headings in. No question about it. My teacher even showed us a sample answer for the option we do that he got at a conference, it was the one they all marked to ensure they were marking the same way, and it had headings. Sure 4 marks goes for them, it says it in the marking scheme. :eek:

Intro/conclusion I'm not so sure of. My teacher tells me all the OC marks go for them which cant be true, and the marking scheme doesnt mention them, but I suppose theyre no harm.

PictureFrame

DEFINITELY do Headings. You get 4 Marks for every heading you clearly write down and then discuss (maximum of 4 headings however). I got 74/80 in my Soil question in the Mock 'Discuss the composition and characteristics of one soil type you have studied'.

Drafty122

what soil Q does anybody think will come up pls ?

Scarlett Scout

i also thought headings were needed

The examiner has an arrow coming out from the headings saying must be essay style answer : use paragraphs (unless it was because the headings were in different colour pen )

Canard

My teacher makes us use headings in every section, especially the option. I think 99.9% of examiners will be okay with it being in a different pen colour...in fact I'd say its what they look for o_O

Scarlett Scout

Patchy~ wrote: »

My teacher makes us use headings in every section, especially the option. I think 99.9% of examiners will be okay with it being in a different pen colour...in fact I'd say its what they look for o_O

Maybe it was just a fussy marker:rolleyes:
The marker also suggested that I draw a quick sketch map of the world and show on it where the biome I have studied is :eek:everyone ever done that?or been recommended to do that?

Canard

Ehhhhh I wouldnt be arsed, but thats because I can't draw :L In the option we did we had a question to do on examing a hot desert climate, so I guess it was similar enough to the biome in Geoecology, and my teacher told us to draw a map and mark in hot deserts. It might get you a mark or two if done properly but mine looked like pieces of ham Its no harm but you can definitely leave it out

Scarlett Scout

Patchy~ wrote: »

Ehhhhh I wouldnt be arsed, but thats because I can't draw :L In the option we did we had a question to do on examing a hot desert climate, so I guess it was similar enough to the biome in Geoecology, and my teacher told us to draw a map and mark in hot deserts. It might get you a mark or two if done properly but mine looked like pieces of ham Its no harm but you can definitely leave it out

Really beginning to wonder about my geo. marker :cool:

treely

Scarlett Scout wrote: »

Maybe it was just a fussy marker:rolleyes:
The marker also suggested that I draw a quick sketch map of the world and show on it where the biome I have studied is :eek:everyone ever done that?or been recommended to do that?

Thats the first Ive ever heard of anyone doing that! No people from other schools Ive talked to have ever said that. Dont bother I'd say. It would take too much time, just for 2, maybe max. 4 marks.

biohaiid

Patchy~ wrote: »

Haha :') Plenty there!
I got 68/80 on "The formation of mid-latitude depressions and the weather patterns associated with them" but I'd been expecting to be able to use Anti-cyclones as a fourth heading, but I couldnt. I probably should've left it at 3 but like I said, my teacher doesnt do the OC marks so I'd have automatically lost 20 marks but I think I should've gotten 72-76 What'd you get in your mock one?

Oh and yeah, definitely dont leave out things to finish other questions, its always better to get everything attempted

I got 80, but like I sad I had waaaay too much.
Yeah my teacher said that to me too, way easier to pick up more marks starting a new question.
Just wondering, could I like do one headng, leave a few lines incase I have time to fill in a few extra srps and go on to the next? Or would that just look bad?
I want to follow the marking scheme and get everything done but Im afraid I wont get my 80 marks from the mock. hah

Canard

Of course All the info is there like, I often do that on the 30 mark ones between headings :P

callistofalk

I can't fit the essays into the time limit. Its absolutly ridiculous asking us to. 2-3 page essay in 11 minutes? I don't think so Bobo

biohaiid

Patchy~ wrote: »

Of course All the info is there like, I often do that on the 30 mark ones between headings :P

I'd say it'd be okay for the 30 markers, but Im just worried I'll lose coherence marks in the 80 markers?

biohaiid

callistofalk wrote: »

I can't fit the essays into the time limit. Its absolutly ridiculous asking us to. 2-3 page essay in 11 minutes? I don't think so Bobo

11 minutes for the 80 markers? :O
I give myself 35!?

bobjimmy

Im sorry but people who say they are writing 4 pages for the option and 2-3 pages for the 30 mark quetion is just ridiculous. Your all waffling. If you ever got your teacher to corrrect you work they will actually mark in where the SRPs are for you. Instead of learning off a whole load of crap just learn theses points. If you write over 2 lines without getting an SRP there is something seriously wrong. You dont get marks for that and examiners just detest it. For a 30 mark it should be 1 page or just over to get full marks. And the option should be done in about 2-2.5 pages

Canard

biohaiid wrote: »

I'd say it'd be okay for the 30 markers, but Im just worried I'll lose coherence marks in the 80 markers?

You wont lose coherence if you answer the question concisely, use headings and do it essay style I'm pretty sure

biohaiid wrote: »

11 minutes for the 80 markers? :O
I give myself 35!?

11 minutes for a B/C essay, so altogether thatssss 25 minutes for each section I think? The option gets way more than everything else coz it isnt split up!

bobjimmy wrote: »

Im sorry but people who say they are writing 4 pages for the option and 2-3 pages for the 30 mark quetion is just ridiculous. Your all waffling. If you ever got your teacher to corrrect you work they will actually mark in where the SRPs are for you. Instead of learning off a whole load of crap just learn theses points. If you write over 2 lines without getting an SRP there is something seriously wrong. You dont get marks for that and examiners just detest it. For a 30 mark it should be 1 page or just over to get full marks. And the option should be done in about 2-2.5 pages

Agreed, quality over quantity. 4 pages for the option seems crazy, a diagram can take up a bit in mine but honestly, 6 srp's under 4 headings does not take up 4 pages :L

Scarlett Scout

bobjimmy wrote: »

Im sorry but people who say they are writing 4 pages for the option and 2-3 pages for the 30 mark quetion is just ridiculous. Your all waffling. If you ever got your teacher to corrrect you work they will actually mark in where the SRPs are for you. Instead of learning off a whole load of crap just learn theses points. If you write over 2 lines without getting an SRP there is something seriously wrong. You dont get marks for that and examiners just detest it. For a 30 mark it should be 1 page or just over to get full marks. And the option should be done in about 2-2.5 pages

Well for the option the conclusion and intro must be included so that takes space and Overall Coherence marks are going for it so shorting your answer too much is a bad idea.
SRPs must be full developed points and how concisely a point can be developed depends on the persons capability at English.
As every geography student knows different examiners can count different SRPs so the answer should contain 16/17 SRPs taking up space.

Though if a person can write 2 pages on a question in 12 mins then thats fine BUT do not spend over that length of time.

temujin

hi, i'm just wondering whether or not the 30 mark essays should be done in bullet point form or in essay format.i know that for the option you have to do it in essay form, but i thought it would be better for the 30m because your srps would be clearly laid out.
thanks

Canard

Up to you! If you wanna do it in bullets go ahead

biohaiid

bobjimmy wrote: »

Im sorry but people who say they are writing 4 pages for the option and 2-3 pages for the 30 mark quetion is just ridiculous. Your all waffling. If you ever got your teacher to corrrect you work they will actually mark in where the SRPs are for you. Instead of learning off a whole load of crap just learn theses points. If you write over 2 lines without getting an SRP there is something seriously wrong. You dont get marks for that and examiners just detest it. For a 30 mark it should be 1 page or just over to get full marks. And the option should be done in about 2-2.5 pages

Those 4 paged essays WERE the ones my teacher gave. Its only now that Im finding out how much I need to write, which is pretty crap really ..

Geographyhater

Could anyone anyone at all write me out an Human elective essay list to learn off for geography im lost i have the sue honan book btw!

siobhan93

Is anyone doing the Ocean-Enviroment for the options????

If so, what essays do you think will come up?!!

Canard

Mid-latitude depressions and maybe anti-cyclones with that is basically guaranteed.

Other ones that might come up are climate and economic development (eeeeeeek need to learn that >_<), uneven distribution of solar energy and a pattern of global winds maybe? Its such an unpredictable section :L

My teacher said the pattern of global winds is just the circulation cells again but I have notes he gave us on mistral/fohn winds and stuff. Any ideas there?