A Level EPQ AQA

Choose a topic and title

Choosing and Refining Your Topic

• Your topic should be something that genuinely interests you. It can be based on a personal hobby, previous subject knowledge, current events or a career aspiration.

• Research possible topics thoroughly before settling down. Make sure there are sufficient sources available for you to research.

• The chosen issue should be complex enough to encourage debate, but not so complex that it becomes confusing to explain and understand.

• Always remember that you will need to argue a thesis statement, so your topic must be one that allows for the formation of such a statement. This thesis will be the central argument of your essay.

• Also, ensure that your chosen topic matches the specifications and guidelines provided by AQA.

Developing a Suitable Title

• Your project title should be descriptive enough to provide an understanding of what the essay is about, but not so long that it becomes unwieldy.

• The title should contain keywords that tell about the topic and the perspective from which you'll be examining it.

• Make sure that the title is neither too narrow nor too broad.

• It's recommended to develop a "working title" which you can refine and change as your project evolves.

• Finally, bear in mind to match the title with the subject matter and ensure that it reflects the content of your essay.

Final Checks

• After settling on a topic and title, perform a final check to ensure that there are enough resources and materials to support your research.

• It's advisable to create a brief outline of your argument as this will help you visualise how your essay will progress.

• Make sure that your topic and title align with the assessment objectives so as to ensure that your essay responds to what the AQA is looking for.

• Lastly, confirm that your topic and title are both interesting to you and that you are prepared to spend a significant amount of time researching, writing, and revising on them.