1. Decode the question before you plan
Identify the command word, the precise issue being assessed, relevant theory and the context. Ask: what must be judged, compared or explained?
2. Build a causal chain
A convincing paragraph should explain cause → mechanism → effect → further effect → relevance to the question. For example, rather than writing that a subsidy increases supply, explain how lower production costs can change firms’ incentives, market supply, equilibrium outcomes and affected stakeholders.
3. Apply economics to the context
Use details from the question or extract to support your analysis. Relevant evidence should do work: explain why it changes the expected magnitude, likelihood or distribution of an effect.
4. Evaluate the mechanism
Ask whether demand is elastic, how long the policy takes, who pays, which groups gain and what other factors could offset the expected result. Evaluation should qualify the earlier analysis rather than simply introduce an unrelated disadvantage.
5. Make a conditional judgement
Reach a decision based on criteria. Which effect matters most? Under what assumptions? Why is one argument stronger in the given context?
Practise
Choose a past-paper question, create a two-paragraph plan and add one sentence identifying the most important factor on which your conclusion depends.
This is original general study guidance, not a reproduced AQA mark scheme or examiner statement.
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