Understanding the essay question is important before writing. The question contains function keywords that indicate what is being asked, such as "to what extent", requiring an assessment of evidence. It also includes concept keywords that define the topic, which in this case are "social class" and "educational attainment". Answering the specific question set is crucial to demonstrating understanding of the topic and relating theories to the question.

1. Understanding the essay question
Before starting to write your essay, you need to examine the question
carefully.
It is important that you do this as understanding the essay question
demonstrates your ability to understand the topic under investigation
and your ability to relate theories and perspectives to that topic. It is
therefore important that you answer the question set.
Typically an essay question will contain function and topic/concept
keywords.
To what extent is educational attainment shaped by social class?
This is a function
keyword, questions which
include this expect you to
consider how far
something (social class)
contributes to a final
outcome (educational
attainment). You need to
assess the evidence in
presenting your argument.
This connects to the function keyword and
the concept key words. You are being
asked to consider the range of the extent
of the influence of social class on
educational attainment. You could think of
this in terms of a scale:
Social class
determines a
pupil's
educaitonal
attainment.
If your evidence suggests that
social class does not solely
determine educational
attainment, you should consider
what else shapes educational
attainment.
Social class has
no impact on
educational
attainment.
These are concept keywords.
They are telling you what the
topic of the essay is about. You
need to define these concepts.