What is a key strategy for planning a 9 mark answer?

• A. Identify two relevant weaknesses and explain how to improve each.
• B. Identify four relevant weaknesses and explain how to improve each in context.
• C. List six random points with no justification.
• D. Focus on a single weakness with a long explanation.

Answer: (D)

Focusing on one weakness and developing it in depth is the right approach for a nine-mark answer. This kind of question rewards a sustained, well-argued explanation that shows you can apply ideas to the context, justify why the point matters, and evaluate its significance. By choosing a single weakness, you have space to unpack causes, implications, evidence or examples, and consider different perspectives or counterpoints, then tie it back to the question with a clear judgement.

Other strategies break the flow or lack depth. Spreading effort across multiple weaknesses can leave each point underdeveloped, reducing the chance to demonstrate the level of analysis required. Listing several points without strong justification or links doesn’t create a coherent argument and won’t show the evaluative skill examiners are looking for. So the best plan is to pick one key weakness and dive into it with thorough reasoning, contextual application, and a clear conclusion.