Transcript Health & Wealth: Essay #1

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2007: To what extent does wealth inequality continue
to exist in the UK?
DUE Monday 30/06/14
List O’mania!
List your weaknesses when it comes to essay
writing…
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* Answer
essays in a structured and balanced manner. Do not
attempt to ‘turn the question’.
* We are going to use the Point, Explain, Example, Balance (PEEB)
structure whereby you make, explain and exemplify a number of
relevant points (satisfying the first bullet point in the box), before
going on to provide evaluative/analytical comment (the second
bullet point in the box).
* Do not rewrite the question in the exam as this wastes time.
* The use of accurate, relevant and up-to-date examples gets top
credit.
* It is not best practice for you to write long (often historical)
introductions to answers. Equally, conclusions that simply repeat
what has been said earlier in a response attract little credit.
* Your introduction should address the question directly as should
your conclusion.
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* Essay writing is simply the integration of KU and analysis.
* Relevant exemplification required. (from your notes)
* Best, up to date information needed to support points made in your
essay. (not something from 20 years ago)
* Use appropriate terminology/vocabulary (political terms)
* Balanced and informed argument required. (PEEB)
* Essay should have a coherent and logical structure. (Paragraphs)
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* Gender and race go together.
* Provide a limited number of relevant examples.
* Time restriction in the exams. 22 minutes per essay.
No time
to waffle. Points need to be clear, concise and supported by
examples where possible.
* Evidence of analysis when terms such as:
* “However….”,
* “Never the less…..”,
* “Another view…..”, etc.
* Thus showing that you have looked at the issue form a variety of
viewpoints and have provided balance in your essay.
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* To what extent can having a big garden help sell a house?
* Assess the importance of iPod compatibility in buying
MP3
speakers.
* Critically
examine the effects of music downloads on the music
industry.
* Mobile phones are offensive weapons. Discuss.
* Examine the effectiveness of (a school policy of your choice)
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“Pass” and better answers should feature developed,
exemplified knowledge and understanding of:
* Wealth inequalities in the UK
* Government policies to reduce these inequalities and/or reasons
for these inequalities
and
* Balanced comment on/analysis of the extent to which inequalities
continue to exist in the UK.
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Introduction – refer to the essence of the question and state briefly how you are going to respond.
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The middle section – should be providing evidence and substance for your argument or stance. Include
reference to what you have learnt; facts or figures, technical terms to show the maturity of your
literacy skills.
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Conclusion – It is essential – especially if you are asked, ‘to what extent . . .’, you need to use text
from the question in your response. You do not necessarily need to come down on one side of the fence
or the other, you can say, ‘to a lesser extent . . .’, ‘to a larger extent . . .’, ‘On the one hand . . .’, etc.
But you do need to round off your essay by referring back to the question and giving weight to your
original question.
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Do not say :
*I think
*I disagree
*I feel
*I agree
*I will now go on to say
MAKE SURE YOUR ESSAY IS BALANCED YOU MUST ALWAYS GIVE TWO POINTS OF VIEW.
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Inequality in the UK exists to a significant extent. Inequality in
wealth is caused by a number of factors such as; the North/South
divide, employment laws and taxation policy. Researchers at
Cambridge University have found the wealth gap between the South
East and the rest of Britain is greater now than at any other time
since the Second World War. There is a significant wealth gap, and
more people have become poor in the last 15 years, though fewer
have become very poor.
* Should contain 4 key arguments minimum
* Should be balanced, must show two sides of the argument
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THOUGHT PROCESS
Basis for the 4 paragraphs:
RICH AND POOR
Income of top 1% in comparison to low
incomes.
GINI COEFFICIENT
Unequal in comparison to Europe and
USA
NORTH/SOUTH GAP WEALTH
UNEMPLOYMENT RATES
Scottish Government spending per head
South of England compared to the North
New Deal Scheme
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There is a significant wealth gap in the UK between the rich and the poor in
the UK. The Hill Report demonstrated that the richest 10% are more than
100 times as wealthy as the poorest 10% of society. Even more significant
is the fact that individuals in the richest 1% each possess wealth of
£2.6million or more. Despite this wealth the Poverty and Social Exclusion
Survey shows that 1/3 of British children go without 3 meals a day, yet is
has been estimated that only £239 per week would lift everyone out of
poverty. Nevertheless, government policies attempt to close this gap. For
example, the government offers Child Tax Credits. If you are on a low
income and working, you can apply for tax back through the tax credits
system.
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Inequality does continue to exist in the UK, despite government
attempts to improve the wealth gap. Attempts such as the
introduction of the minimum wage. Wealth is concentrated in the
top 1% of the population, in spite of government policies. Although
the introduction of Minimum wage has not reduced inequality it has
meant the population are less poor, after all 1.1 million children
have been lifted out of poverty since 1998.
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* You must include balance!
* The government may not have reduced inequality, it is at a 40
year high – however, they have reduced child poverty, this is the
first stop on the road to reducing inequality in the future.
* If your essay is too short (less than 2 and a half sides).
It is
lacking in explanation of points or evidence, or both.
* NB: Existence of poverty does not mean existence of inequality.
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Strategies
Aim
Impact
Minimum wage
Reduce poverty and the
wealth gap
Helped vulnerable groups
particularly women and
ethnic minorities out of the
poverty trap.
Scottish Government public
spending. £1,624 more per
head of population than UK
gov’t
Reduce North /South divide
in terms of the wealth gap
Some progress, but N/S
divide still in evidence. E.g.
Average income:
London - £87,00
Glasgow - £23,000
Child Tax Credit and. Sure
Start programme
Reduce Child Poverty and
prevent the poverty cycle
JRF Child poverty reduced
dramatically between 19982012 when 1.1 million
children were lifted out of
poverty.
Back to work scheme and
focus on improving skills
To reduce poverty and the
wealth gap by increasing
employment. Improving skills
of workers esp. seeks to
reduce inequality in pay.
Unemployment reduced
everywhere in UK except the
NE. JRF estimated that if
successful the improving
skills in the workplace
programme could lift 1.5 m
out of poverty
* Have a think about what you have heard today
and make a to-do list
* Think about your weaknesses and the necessary
requirements for an excellent essay
* AND make a list of what you need to do this
year to ensure success!
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