✍️ (a) Outline
4 marks, AO1. About 5 minutes.
Answering the Exam Questions » Paper 2 Answers: Outline, Explain and the 10-Mark Discuss
What you'll learn this session
Study time: 30 minutes
Edexcel spec: Assessment
- How a Paper 2 section is built: Outline (4), Explain (6) and Discuss (10)
- An answer frame and timing for each command word, for any religion
- How Discuss differs from the Paper 1 Evaluate question
- The mistakes that lose marks, and a full practice question
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Unlock This CourseHow Paper 2 is built
Paper 2 lasts 1 hour 30 minutes and is worth 60 marks. You answer on one religion, and there are three sections, each worth 20 marks. You answer every question, so there is no choice. Every section has the same three parts:
💡 (b) Explain
6 marks, AO1 and AO2. About 8 minutes.
⚖️ (c) Discuss
10 marks, AO1 and AO2. About 15 minutes.
That is about 30 minutes a section, with a little time left to check. The spec says the last part is a synoptic item, which means it can draw on knowledge from across the whole course. The paper asks you to identify main points, pick out relevant details, show understanding of points of view, and discuss divergent points of view.
Key terms:
- Divergent: different, with views that go in different directions. In Paper 2 these are mostly different groups or traditions within your religion.
- Frame: a ready-made shape for an answer, where you fill in your own religion's material.
(a) Outline: two points, each developed
The spec says Outline means: recall factual information and provide development. You get 2 marks for each of two points: one mark for the point and one for developing it.
Frame: point, then "because", "which means" or "for example", then the development. Two sentences are enough, about 40 to 60 words in all. Stay on the exact thing the question names, and keep it specific to your religion.
Illustration (Islam)
Outline two ways in which Muslims observe Ramadan. [4 marks]
Muslims fast from dawn until sunset, which means they give up food and drink during the day to show obedience to Allah. (2) Muslims also pray extra prayers at the mosque in the evenings, for example in Taraweeh prayers, which helps them feel part of the community. (2)
Fill in your own religion in the same way. Each development grows out of its own point, and the two points are different from each other.
(b) Explain: say why it matters
Explain means: provide a developed understanding of an aspect of religion and belief. The usual stem is "Explain why a person, text, festival, place or practice is important". Describing what happens only earns a low mark. To reach the top level, say why it matters and use the right terms.
- Name it and use its proper term.
- Give a reason tied to a belief, a teaching or the example of a founder.
- Show the effect on believers or on the community: what it changes in their lives.
- Repeat for three or four reasons, one short paragraph each, about 120 to 180 words in all.
Useful link words: because, this is important as, so believers, this means that.
(c) Discuss: the 10-mark question
The spec describes Discuss like this:
Discuss [10 marks, AO1 and AO2]
Analyse the issue raised, considering different points of view and creating logical chains of reasoning that are underpinned by understanding of religion and belief.
You get a statement about your religion. The question asks you to consider the arguments for and against, and to include reference to teachings, other (divergent) points of view and your own opinion, using reasoned arguments. Treat those three as a checklist and tick every one.
✅ A plan for 15 minutes
1. Circle the key words (such as "only", "all" or "most important"). 2. Note two arguments for, each with a teaching. 3. Note two against, including a different group in your religion. 4. Decide your view. Then write about 300 to 400 words.
📝 A frame for each argument
Point, then a teaching or example from your religion (add yours here), then "this means that", then a short judgement: is this strong or weak, and why?
Discuss or Evaluate?
Discuss is a lot like the Paper 1 Evaluate question you met in the lesson on the 12-mark Evaluate question, but there are differences:
- Discuss is worth 10 marks, not 12, and has less time (about 15 minutes).
- It is all about one religion. So the contrast mostly comes from different groups and traditions inside that religion, rather than from non-religious views.
- Both need a reasoned conclusion that picks a side and gives the deciding reason.
Common mistakes
Common mistakes
- Describing instead of discussing. Telling the story of a festival or text is not an argument. Link each fact to the statement.
- Forgetting divergent views. Always include a different group or tradition within your religion.
- Writing about the wrong topic. Each section has its own topic. Read the stem before you start.
- Developing nothing in Outline. Two bare points earn only half the marks.
- No opinion. Discuss asks for your reasoned view, so end with one.
- Running out of time. A 15-minute answer has no room for a long Outline.
Exam-style question
Paper 2, one section. Use the religion you study. The model answers show how the shape works, with an illustration labelled in each part.
(a) Outline two ways in which followers of your religion celebrate one festival. [4 marks, AO1]
(b) Explain why the main holy text of your religion is important to its followers. [6 marks, AO1 and AO2]
(c) "A holy text is the only teaching a follower needs." Discuss this statement, considering the arguments for and against. In your answer you should include: reference to teachings; other (divergent) points of view; your opinion, using reasoned arguments. [10 marks, AO1 and AO2]
Model answer
(a) Use the shape shown for Ramadan earlier: Point (1) plus development (1), twice. Add your own festival and religion here. Marks are lost if both points are the same, or if the festival is not named.
(b) Mark points: (1) it contains the teachings, so followers know how to live; (2) believers see it as holy, so they treat it with respect; (3) it is used in worship, so it shapes the community; (4) it is a link to the founder or to God. Illustration (Sikhism): Sikhs treat the Guru Granth Sahib as their living Guru, so they bow before it and it is the centre of worship in the gurdwara. Add the same kind of reasons for your own text, with its proper name.
(c) For: the text is the source of a religion's teaching, so a follower can find guidance there for life (add a teaching from your religion here). Against: some followers also rely on a community, leaders or traditions to explain how to apply the text, and different groups read it differently. Divergent view: add how two traditions in your religion use the text. Opinion: "only" is too strong, because even those who treasure the text need teachers and a community to apply it.
Exam tip
Before you write Discuss, tick the three bullets in the question on your plan: a teaching, a divergent view and your own opinion. Missing one costs marks.