+1 862 207 3288 Foundation Level – SS3 Essay Questions
This is an extended referenced essay writing task that requires you to demonstrate your ability to develop a
line of argument on a topic related to one of the topics covered in the Skills for Study 3 module.
In your essay, you should refer to a number of sources from the Skills for Study 3 Study Pack, but you
MUST also refer to at least 5 other sources which you have found. You must ensure that the sources you
use are academic and reliable, in particular ensure that Internet sources are accessed via a reputable
academic database or an academic journal.
What you will be assessed on:
1. Establishing a clear purpose or thesis statement of your essay
2. Developing a line of argument, expanding and supporting the arguments with reasons and
relevant examples
3. Identifying and evaluating counter arguments, opinions or solutions
4. Writing in an evaluative rather than descriptive manner
5. The extent and depth of your research of independently found sources
6. Incorporating others’ work effectively by quoting, summarizing and paraphrasing viewpoints and
using in-text citations accurately
7. Compiling a complete, accurate, consistently referenced bibliography (standard Harvard system)
at the end of your essay.
8. The clarity of expression used in your writing, especially register and style.
Before you start writing your essay you MUST write a plan of the essay. The plan must be typed and
printed. Your tutor will inform you when you should submit the plan. Your tutor will review the plan
and give you feedback. It is essential that you analyse your tutor’s feedback and follow their
instructions and suggestions when you write the essay.
Task: Write an Extended Essay answering one of the following questions. Foundation students must write
1750 words. Graduate Diploma 2000 words.
Unit 1
“The growth in internet use has affected cultures around the world, leading to a westernised,
homogenous world culture.”
Using existing literature and data, critically evaluate this claim in relation to at least 2 of the following
areas (or 2 areas approved by your tutor):
• Politics
• Business
• Youth culture
• Language
“Most internet users, both individuals and businesses, underestimate the risks of sharing personal
information online. Legal and illegal access to personal information is leading to a huge rise in online
and offline crime.”
Using existing literature and data, critically evaluate this claim in relation to at least 2 of the following
areas (or 2 areas approved by your tutor):
• E-commerce
• Social networking
• Identity theft
• Hacking
Unit 2
“It is not justifiable for a government to restrict tourist access to any area of their country. The
government may wish to protect the local population or the natural environment from the effects of
tourism, but the local population has the right to boost their economy through tourism.”
Using existing literature and data, critically evaluate this claim in relation to at least 2 of the following
areas (or 2 areas approved by your tutor:
• Health
• Culture
• Economics
• Politics
“As well as entertainment, videogames can now be used for exercise, education, and training for many
types of jobs. People who blame violence and lack of real social contact on videogames are simply part
of an older generation who do not use or understand them.”
Using existing literature and data, critically evaluate this claim in relation to at least 2 of the following
areas (or 2 areas approved by your tutor):
• Physical/Mental Health
• Education/Training
• Society
• Business
Unit 3
“The public have accepted the use of biometric security systems (in banking and government ID cards,
for example) using biometric data such as fingerprint scanners, iris scanners and facial recognition
systems. However, use of DNA as a biometric identifier for businesses or governments will not be
accepted by the public due to its use in police investigations and identifying genetically-inherited
diseases.”
Using existing literature and data, critically evaluate this claim in relation to at least 2 of the following
areas (or 2 areas approved by your tutor):
• Health/life insurance
• Privacy
• Crime
• Fraud
“CCTV is considered by some to be a cheaper and more effective way of reducing urban crime than
paying for police officers to patrol the streets. However, the public feel safer if police officers are on the
streets and do not like their daily lives being recorded by so many cameras.”
Using existing literature and data, critically evaluate this claim in relation to at least 2 of the following
areas (or 2 areas approved by your tutor):
• Cost
• Society
• Privacy
• Terrorism
Unit 4
“The ‘tyranny or paradox of choice’ explains why people have difficulty in making complex choices. The
amount of choice people have in the modern world is a huge cause of stress, one which our ancestors
did not have.”
Using existing literature and data, critically evaluate this claim in relation to at least 2 of the following
areas (or 2 areas approved by your tutor):
• Allocation of resources
• Consumerism
• Technology
• Risk
“Businesses can analyse how consumers make choices and can use this to create successful marketing
strategies for the goods they want to sell.”
Using existing literature and data, critically evaluate this claim in relation to at least 2 of the following
areas (or 2 areas approved by your tutor):
• Allocation of resources
• Consumerism
• Technology
• Risk
Argumentative essay question of your own – if you want to write your own essay you should
develop your own essay question and ask your tutor to agree it. Please discuss this with your
tutor. This question must still relate to one of the topic areas of the SS3 module.
Written Work Submission Guidelines
****Failure to follow these guidelines can result in a deduction of up to 5 marks****
The first page of your assignment must state the following:
• Module code and title (eg. FC005: Introduction to Social Sciences)
• Type of assignment (eg. portfolio essay / final report)
• Assignment question (eg. Critically evaluate….)
• Word Count
• Your tutor’s name
• Your Kaplan student number (not your name)
• Submission date
You must also do the following:
• Each page must have a header with the module code, module title and your student number
• All of the work must be word processed
• The line spacing must be 2 (double)
• The font type must be Arial
• The font size must be 12
• The pages must be numbered in the bottom right corner
• You must include a final reference list using the Harvard System which is outlined in the college
referencing guide. Please ask your tutor if you do not have a copy of this.
Marks will be deducted if you fail to follow the written work submission guidelines.
You must not copy text from a book, another student’s work or internet sites and imply that it is your
own work. This is plagiarism and is a serious academic offence.
Make sure you save your work regularly while writing and that you save a copy of your final submission
in case of any problems after submission.
The written assignment for this module is submitted electronically via www.turnitinuk.com.
Instructions on how to submit are available from Academic Services, on the VLE and displayed in the
IT Room. If you do not know how to submit your work, please contact your tutor or Academic
Services in good time before your submission deadline. If you have problems submitting to
www.turnitinuk.com, then you should arrange training with Academic Services before the deadline by
emailing kicl.academicservices@kaplan.com
