The Introduction

The introduction sets up the entire essay. Under the new criteria, it must show:

1. the focus of the investigation

2. the context of the question

3. the pathway (subject focused or interdisciplinary)

4. the research methods that will be used

5. the line of argument the essay will follow

The introduction is not long, but it must be purposeful.

English Language and Literature 

This essay investigates how persuasive language techniques used in climate change news articles influence readers’ perceptions of responsibility and urgency. The research question guiding this study is: How do linguistic and structural choices in two British news publications shape readers’ interpretations of climate change responsibility? The focus is limited to articles published between 2019 and 2023 in two contrasting outlets, allowing for a manageable and well defined comparison. This is an English Language and Literature essay. The investigation uses close language analysis, supported by critical commentary on media discourse. The essay first identifies key rhetorical and syntactic features, then analyses how these features position readers emotionally and intellectually, and finally evaluates how far the two publications differ in the viewpoints they promote. Understanding these strategies contributes to wider discussions of how language shapes public engagement with environmental issues.

Psychology 

This essay explores how cognitive load influences the accuracy of eyewitness recall in adolescent learners. The research question is: To what extent does increased cognitive load affect the accuracy of eyewitness memory in adolescents aged fourteen to sixteen? The study focuses on a single experimental task and one participant group in order to remain feasible and controlled. This is a Psychology essay. The investigation uses a simple experimental design involving attention manipulation and quantitative comparison of recall scores, grounded in cognitive theories of working memory. The essay first outlines the theoretical basis for predicting reduced accuracy, then presents the experimental procedure and findings, and finally evaluates how the results align with or challenge existing research. This research is significant because it contributes to ongoing debates about the reliability of eyewitness accounts in younger populations.

Interdisciplinary: Mathematics and Physics 

This essay examines how mathematical modelling can be used to predict heat loss in small residential spaces. The research question is: How accurately can a mathematical heat transfer model predict temperature change in a small insulated room? The investigation focuses on a single controlled environment and compares model predictions to recorded temperature data. This is an interdisciplinary essay using Mathematics and Physics within the framework of Evidence, Measurement, Innovation. The research methods involve constructing a mathematical model based on Fourier’s law and then validating it through a practical temperature recording experiment. The argument develops by outlining the theoretical model, evaluating the accuracy of the predictions and exploring the sources of any discrepancies. This investigation is significant because it highlights the strengths and limitations of mathematical modelling when applied to real physical systems.

Interdisciplinary: Biology and Chemistry 

This essay investigates how changes in pH affect the rate of catalase activity in plant tissue. The research question is: How does pH influence the rate of catalase mediated decomposition of hydrogen peroxide in potato tissue? The focus is limited to a narrow pH range that reflects physiological and environmental conditions relevant to plant cells. This is an interdisciplinary essay using Biology and Chemistry within the framework of Evidence, Measurement, Innovation. The investigation uses a controlled experimental method to measure oxygen production at different pH levels and applies chemical principles to explain how pH affects enzyme structure and reactivity. The argument begins with the biochemical basis of catalase function, analyses the observed reaction rates and evaluates the chemical reasoning that accounts for the changes. This study is significant because it illustrates how chemical environment shapes biological processes at the molecular level.

Interdisciplinary: Biology and Physics 

This essay explores how differences in body surface area affect heat loss in small mammals. The research question is: How does variation in surface area to volume ratio influence the rate of heat loss in small mammal analogues? The investigation uses water filled containers of different sizes to serve as safe and ethical proxies for animal bodies. This is an interdisciplinary essay using Biology and Physics within the framework of Movement, Time, Space. The research method combines biological ideas about thermoregulation with physical modelling of heat transfer. The line of argument describes the biological importance of surface area to volume ratio, evaluates temperature change over time across different models and explains these differences using physical principles of conduction and convection. This investigation is significant because it connects physical modelling with real biological constraints on animal survival.

History 

This essay investigates the extent to which the Women’s Suffrage Movement influenced parliamentary debates on voting reform in Britain between 1908 and 1914. The research question is: To what extent did the actions of the Women’s Social and Political Union contribute to changes in parliamentary attitudes towards suffrage reform between 1908 and 1914? The focus is limited to parliamentary speeches, selected newspapers and WSPU materials to create a manageable and clearly defined case study. This is a History essay. The investigation uses historical interpretation supported by primary sources and modern historiography. The argument first evaluates the strategies used by the WSPU, then examines parliamentary responses, and finally considers the broader political context that shaped the debates. This study is significant because it assesses how far pressure groups were able to influence constitutional change in early twentieth century Britain.

Economics 

This essay examines how a government subsidy has affected the market for electric vehicles in Norway. The research question guiding this study is: To what extent has the Norwegian government’s subsidy for electric vehicles reduced market failure in the private car industry between 2018 and 2023? The investigation is limited to sales data, price changes and policy documents within this timeframe to maintain a feasible and focused analysis. This is an Economics essay. The research applies microeconomic theory, including externalities, subsidies and demand elasticity, alongside secondary quantitative data. The argument begins by outlining the market failure, then evaluates the effect of the subsidy on consumer behaviour and finally assesses the broader effectiveness of the intervention. This study is significant because it contributes to understanding how government policy can influence sustainable consumption.

Biology 

This essay investigates the effect of light intensity on the rate of photosynthesis in Elodea canadensis. The research question is: How does light intensity influence the rate of oxygen production in Elodea canadensis? The study focuses on a controlled range of light intensities that can be safely measured using a classroom photosynthesis setup. This is a Biology essay. The investigation uses an experimental method with controlled variables, quantitative measurement of oxygen output and analysis supported by scientific literature on photosynthetic pathways. The argument outlines the biological basis of photosynthesis, presents and interprets the data, and evaluates the reliability and limitations of the method. This research is significant because it illustrates how environmental factors regulate fundamental plant processes.

Global Politics 

This essay examines how political speeches shape public support for immigration policy in Germany. The research question is: How do framing strategies used by German political leaders influence public attitudes towards immigration policy between 2015 and 2022? The investigation focuses on speeches from two major political parties and uses polling data to establish a manageable and clearly defined case study. This is a Global Politics essay. The research uses discourse analysis informed by political communication theory and supported by secondary data on public opinion. The argument first identifies key framing techniques, then evaluates how these techniques influence public perceptions, and finally assesses how far political messaging may shift policy debates. This study is significant because it deepens understanding of how political language shapes democratic decision making.