Religious Language-Twentieth Century Perspectives: A2 Philosophy

I used this answer as part of my lesson on essay writing for this unit. I gave the students 3 highlighters: critical words (purple) , use of ‘no/ such thing’ (blue) and every time a new name is used (green). What was clear very quickly is that this student used multiple critical words, wide selection of scholarly names and linked points back to the question.

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First Year Exam Paper Breakdown: Philosophy POE Question

On September 21, 2017June 26, 2019 By Aimee HorsleyIn Philosophy New Spec, Teaching, Learning and AssessmentLeave a comment

I love deliveries from new spec text books to stationery. Today’s delivery: philosophy exam papers from the new spec exams (Examiner’s Report 2017: What can we learn?). Here’s a break down of a student’s answer for the question on Problem of Evil.

Assess the claim that natural evil has a purpose (30)

OCR marks given for student’s answer:
A01 15/15
A02 14/15

From reading the student’s answer there are a few noticeable points:

The structure is very clear and simple with an introduction, four main paragraphs and a conclusion.

intro aug 1.jpg

There are three simple things that make this introduction work. The first is the student uses the word ‘natural’ 3 times and ‘purpose’ twice. This shows that they are directly linking their essay to the question immediately (it is also a good way for the student to really clarify what the question is asking of them). Secondly the quote grabs the reader’s attention immediately. It is a short yet relevant quote from Augustine which the student then links into the question with a ‘this means’. Thirdly the student introduces the other key names involved Hick and Irenaeus. This makes it clear to the reader that they will be involved in this answer.

The four main paragraphs have a very clear theme and structure

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Nature of God: A2 Philosophy

On July 5, 2017March 10, 2022 By Aimee HorsleyIn Philosophy New Spec2 Comments

Preview of lesson plans

A3 bubble: Attributes of God
Go round class get an answer from everyone
Pick 5 attributes and define them (add simple/ immutable)

Answer:

Is it hard to define God
Which attributes conflict? Why?
Does God need all of these to be God, which one can he lack?

Demonstration one: all students stand in a line (past, present, future) God stands back and sees all line (time) in one glance. Emphasize Boethius ideas on eternal

Can you see any potential problems with this?

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“Religious experiences are an illusion of the mind”: Student’s Work

On February 7, 2017June 25, 2019 By Aimee HorsleyIn Essay Tips and Techniques, Philosophy New Spec12 Comments

This is an example of what I would class as a good introduction. See the use of critical terms (red), links to the question (x3 in green) and the engagement with the two key names (Freud and James) in relation to the quote. The quote shows higher level independent reading but also shows understanding through not only linking it to James but also the question.

This is the first paragraph from the same essay. See the clear structure: James (yellow), E.G (green), E.G evaluation (purple), E.G evaluation linking back to James and introductory links to Freud (blue). Once again this is what I deem a good paragraph. The student maintains links to the example throughout (St. Teresa), I learn as a reader about her case without excessive description, James is also not forgotten from the first part of the paragraph by the student linking it to the example in an evaluative and analytical way. It does not over complicate the structure, the evaluation is prominent and the links back to the question are noticeable.

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