Essay writing – 2
Types of writing.
This is the second of three Substacks on the topic of essay writing in A Level Geography.
As stated in an earlier Substack, in writing their essays, the key feature that students need to understand is the difference between descriptive or explanatory writing and evaluative writing.
Descriptive/explanatory writing
This usually consists of factual points which:
• outline the main features of a place, object, issue, idea, theory, strategy
• recall why these features have arisen because of particular factors, processes, actions or management objectives
• identify spatial/temporal variations
• make use of case study material to support the answer.
Evaluative writing
This consists of material which may additionally:
• critically reflect on the limitations of a particular explanation or on viewpoints/
perspectives/conflicts regarding an issue
• discuss the impacts of spatial/temporal variations in the operation of factors and processes
• examine relative success/failure
• use important geographic concepts, such as place, or establish connections and relationships between different ideas.
The following section seeks to illustrate the difference between descriptive/explanatory writing and evaluative writing, using a range of possible essay titles. Only a limited number of sentences are used in each case for this purpose, a short paragraph, but hopefully the differences will become transparent. Brief commentary is provided to help.
Title 1: Evaluate the role of mobile phone technology in creating a globalised world.
Descriptive/Explanatory writing
There are more than 7 billion mobile phones - more than one per person. This number has risen rapidly in recent years. Just ten years ago, there were less than one billion mobile phones. Mobile phones and other technologies are an important factor contributing to globalisation. By having a mobile phone, people can experience ‘the shrinking world’ and so become more globalised.
Commentary: this answer is largely factual. The only place where it becomes evaluative is in the final sentence, but it is basic.
Evaluative writing
There are more than 7 billion mobile phones - more than one per person. By having a mobile phone, people may experience ‘the shrinking world’ and become more globalised. However, many mobile users, such as those in North Korea, do not have full access to the internet and are ‘excluded’ from external influences. So, in some places, mobile phone growth may not necessarily be linked with globalisation.
Commentary: as in the previous answer, the first sentence is factual. The rest of the paragraph is evaluative.
Title 2: ‘The causes of past climate change and current global warming are different.’ How far do you agree with this statement?
Descriptive/Explanatory writing
There are differences between past climate change and current global warming. Past climate change was due to changes in the Earth’s orbit from circular to elliptical. This changed the amount of sunlight received. Current global warming is said to be due to the emission of greenhouse gases, such as methane and carbon dioxide caused by deforestation and the burning of fossil fuels. This is called the enhanced greenhouse effect.
Commentary: this paragraph is entirely factual.
Evaluative writing
There are differences between past climate change and current global warming. This reflects the debate between natural causes and human causes. Natural causes included Milankovitch cycles (changes of the Earth’s orbit) and volcanic eruptions. Human causes are associated with fossil fuel emissions and deforestation and are much more recent and rapid. Past climate change was cyclical whereas recent global warming is due to unsustainable human activity.
Commentary: the first and third sentences are factual. The remainder is evaluative.
Title 3: ‘Every country will eventually lose its distinctive national identity as a result of globalisation.’ How far do you agree with this statement?
Descriptive/Explanatory writing
TNCs such as McDonald’s have spread around the world on account of globalisation. Their power is enormous, and they can be found in any city, although often they change the ingredients they use, such as the McArabia burger, which is available in Middle East countries. This is called glocalisation. Often, the menus are written in English, and it’s estimated that because of this, 3,000 world languages will soon be lost out of about 6,000.
Commentary: this paragraph is entirely factual. Having said that, the final clause seems rather unlikely in terms of the numbers involved. It is typical of many students who seek to impress by using speculative facts.
Evaluative writing
TNCs like McDonald’s can be found in almost every country in the world, with the effect that city centres begin to look the same wherever you are – called clone towns. This is yet another way in which national identity can be threatened, as places no longer look as individual. The spread of English as part of cultural imperialism is another way in which nations lose their sense of identity. Some languages become lost and so a key part of a county’s culture is no longer as distinctive.
Commentary: this paragraph is entirely evaluative. The language may be a little exaggerated (threatened, cultural imperialism) but the underlying ideas are acceptable.
A subsequent Substack will examine conclusions.