This book is a superb all-in-one guide to success GCSE English Language and English Literature - GCSE English 2003

Supporting Your Argument
Section Six — Arguing and Analysing

You get marked on how well you've backed up your argument. And now that you know that, there's no excuse for not researching your essays — especially in your coursework.

Use Facts Carefully

1) Don't get bogged down in complicated statistics.

2) Use simple, easy-to-understand facts.

3) Keep figures to a minimum — but make sure you don't alter what they mean.

Use Opinions from Experts

1) Use expert opinion to give backing to your arguments.

2) Say who they are and how they're related to your argument.

3) You can include opinion as quotes (see example below) or part of the text (see example above).

Use Relevant Quotations

1) Use good quotes to provide sound bites that stick in people's minds.

2) Don't just stick in a quote for the sake of it: make sure it's relevant.

3) Keep it short. Don't include long extracts.

4) Use quotation marks and also say who you're quoting — otherwise you won't get the marks for using the quotation.

5) Never make up quotes, or alter existing ones. It's the same as lying.

Use Real-life Examples

Pick your evidence carefully

Facts, examples, opinions and quotes all add punch to your argument — but don't overdo it. Good rule of thumb: use one well chosen piece of evidence for each part of the argument.