A good exam answer does the following:

• displays your knowledge, understanding and critical evaluation of different views on the topic, including the evidence used to support those views;
• demonstrates that you have reflected on a significant amount of reading in the light of discussion in classes, and drawn your own conclusions;
• presents a cogent, concise and convincing argument which addresses the question set;
• provides reading pleasure by being well-written.

In general, notice that regurgitation of reading will receive low marks, while intellectual adventurousness and risk-taking will receive high marks. To do reasonably well you must at least attempt to engage imaginatively with the issues. In more detail:

A Failing essay (39% and below) will show little, if any, understanding and no independent thought, have no argument to speak of, and be very poorly written.
A Third-class essay (40-49%) will show minimal understanding and little or no independent thought, have weak argumentation, and poor writing.
A Lower-Second essay (50-59%) will show a basic understanding of different views on the topic and evidence of an attempt to draw independent conclusions, with a reasonable standard of argumentation and writing.
An Upper-Second essay (60-69%) will have a well-written and persuasive argument showing a good understanding of different views and setting out your own conclusions.
A First-class essay (70% and above) will be outstanding in all respects.

These criteria are set out in more detail in the list on the "Essential module information" section of the handbook (p. 2).

Notes

Answering the question means reading it carefully, thinking about the issues it raises, marshalling the information you have available, and planning your answer before you write. Common mistakes:

• misunderstanding the question
• rehashing a workshop assignment, seminar preparation or case study presentation that was on the same topic
• missing out half of what is being asked about
• writing about all and sundry instead of focusing on the particular place/people/problem that is being asked about.

Even if such a misdirected answer is "very good in its own terms" it cannot get a good mark!

A cogent, concise and convincing argument has these attributes:

• relevance and a sharp focus on your points/ideas
• good clear structure, e.g. 1 point = 1 paragraph
• examples and evidence to back up every point
• independent thought

and avoids:

• regurgitation of notes or other people's ideas
• changing the question!