You studied the textbook. You memorized the definitions. You walked into the exam hall feeling confident. But when the results came, you got a ‘C’ instead of an ‘A’.

Why? Because you didn’t write like an economist.

In the A/L Paper II (Structured Essay), the examiner isn’t just looking for facts. They are looking for a logical argument. A messy answer with good facts will always score lower than a structured answer with clear logic.

Here is the 4-step formula to structure any 10 or 20-mark essay question to ensure you hit every point on the marking scheme.

Step 1: The “Definition” Opening

Never jump straight into the argument. Always start by defining the key economic terms in the question.

• Example: If the question is about “The impact of inflation on exports,” do not start by talking about exports. Start by defining Inflation.
• Why: This secures the easy “Knowledge” marks immediately. It tells the examiner, “I know what I am talking about.”

Step 2: The “Theory & Graph” Sandwich

This is the core of your answer. You must link your explanation to a graph.

• The Rule: Never draw a graph and leave it “hanging.”
• The Structure:
  1. Explain the theory (e.g., “When price rises, demand falls…”).
  2. Draw the Graph clearly (Label axes P and Q).

3.  **Reference the Graph:** 

• Tip: If you don’t reference the graph in your text, the graph is useless.

Step 3: The “Sri Lankan Context” (Application)

This is what separates the top rankers from the average students. You must prove the theory applies to reality.

• How to do it: Use phrases like:
  • “For example, in Sri Lanka’s recent economic crisis…”
  • “This was seen when the Central Bank increased rates in 2023…”
• Why: The marking scheme specifically allocates marks for “Application.” If you only write about imaginary “widgets,” you miss these marks.

Step 4: The “Critical Evaluation” (The Conclusion)

Don’t just stop writing when you run out of points. End with a balanced view.

• The Trick: Use the word “However.”
  • “Tax cuts usually stimulate growth. However, in Sri Lanka’s current context, tax cuts could increase the budget deficit and worsen inflation.”
• Why: This shows “Evaluation” skills. It proves you understand that economics is not black and white—it depends on the situation.

---

📝 Summary Checklist

Before you put your pen down, check your essay for these four things:

1. Definitions (Did I define the terms?)
2. Diagrams (Is there a labeled graph?)
3. Examples (Did I mention Sri Lanka?)
4. Evaluation (Did I use “However”?)