Choose a global issue and formulate an effective essay question
Turn a studied topic into one focused question that permits contrasting global perspectives and a supported personal view.
Section Component 2 · Essay · 40 marks · 32% AS / 16% A Level · 1750–2000 words
Exam scope and assessment notes
This is original StudyForA teaching and fictional practice, not Cambridge text, an official question or an official mark scheme. The 2026–2028 syllabus calls the written exam Component 1; the 2029–2031 syllabus calls it Paper 1 and reports no significant teaching changes. Check the syllabus for the learner's exam year and follow teacher, centre and assessment-authenticity rules. StudyForA cannot authenticate assessed work, observe collaboration, award official marks or predict a grade.
Before you begin
- Identify whether the task concerns source analysis, essay writing, team assessment or the independent research report.
Work on paper. Try each question before revealing help, and explain why your method works.
Quick readiness check
What form must the Component 2 essay title take?
What you will learn
- Choose a manageable issue from a topic studied in the course
- Formulate one open question with globally contrasting perspectives
- Plan evidence and research within the essay scope
A topic is not an essay question
Component 2 is a 40-mark externally marked essay of 1750–2000 words. The candidate chooses a global issue from topics studied, devises a single-question title and researches contrasting global perspectives. A broad title such as 'Technology and society' does not make the decision or comparison clear.
Check that a question can be answered
A useful question identifies a real global issue, allows at least two globally contrasting perspectives and supports a reasoned judgement. Check that suitable sources exist, the issue is ethically researchable and the scope fits the word limit. The candidate must develop their own question and work; teacher advice and centre procedures apply.
Sources for this lesson
- Cambridge International AS & A Level Global Perspectives & Research 9239 syllabus · 2026–2028 Version 3
- Cambridge International AS & A Level Global Perspectives & Research 9239 syllabus update · 2026–2028
- Cambridge International AS & A Level Global Perspectives & Research 9239 syllabus · 2029–2031 Version 1
- Cambridge International 9239 subject page and exam-series notice
Pause and explain
Why check the evidence before finalising the question?
Worked example
A learner is interested in international tourism. Improve the topic into a researchable essay question.
Show the worked solution
- Select one issue, such as how tourism affects local water access.
- Phrase one open question rather than a statement or slogan.
- Check that contrasting perspectives and credible evidence can be researched.
Answer One possible question is: 'To what extent should tourist businesses in water-stressed destinations be required to reduce their water use?' It asks for a judgement and allows perspectives on residents' access, business viability and environmental limits. The learner must then check that suitable, contrasting evidence is available for the chosen places.
Try a topic test
Choose Easy, Normal or Difficult. Save your answers and open worked review after finishing.
Test this topic →From guided practice to a new situation
Write your answer and reasoning first. Use a hint only if you are stuck. The model solution is for self-checking; your written work is not automatically marked.
Refine 'Should technology be controlled?' into a focused Component 2 question and name two globally contrasting perspectives.
Give me a hint
Select one technology-related issue and specify a decision or effect.
Compare my reasoning
- Choose one issue and identify affected groups or places.
- Write a single open question.
- Name two contrasting perspectives and evidence needed for each.
Example: 'To what extent should governments require social-media platforms to label AI-generated political content?' One perspective may prioritise reducing deception and protecting informed debate; another may emphasise expression, enforcement and unintended censorship. Research would need credible comparative evidence on platform labels, effects and implementation, not only personal opinion.
Look for these in your work
- Focuses on one global issue
- Uses an open single question
- Identifies contrasting views and evidence
A draft title is 'Why international aid always works'. Identify two problems and revise it.
Give me a hint
Remove the assumed conclusion and allow evidence to support more than one answer.
Compare my reasoning
- Identify the loaded claim and the absolute word.
- Choose a defined aid outcome or context.
- Write a question that allows different perspectives.
The title assumes aid always works and does not identify a measure or context. A more open question could be: 'Under what conditions does emergency food aid improve food security without weakening local supply systems?' It invites evidence about benefits and possible trade-offs, but the learner must further narrow it to a manageable case and verify available sources.
Look for these in your work
- Removes a predetermined conclusion
- Defines an outcome
- Allows contrasting evidence
A student has a strong question but can find only sources from one country. What should they check before keeping it for the essay?
Give me a hint
The essay needs globally contrasting perspectives, not just many documents.
Compare my reasoning
- Inspect what global context the question actually requires.
- Search for credible sources representing different places or affected groups.
- Narrow or revise the scope if a genuine contrast cannot be researched.
They should check whether the question can support globally contrasting perspectives and whether credible sources exist from more than one relevant context. Many sources from one country may still leave the global comparison missing. If the evidence is unavailable, narrow or revise the question before the essay plan is fixed.
Look for these in your work
- Checks global scope
- Looks for genuine perspective range
- Revises if evidence cannot support the question
Common mistakes
- Choosing a broad topic as the title
- Writing a yes/no or loaded question that assumes the answer
- Choosing a question with no globally contrasting evidence
What can you explain now?
What form must the Component 2 essay title take?
Compare with the explanation
A single question that allows globally contrasting perspectives.
The syllabus requires a single-question title and a debate that supports comparison.
After trying it yourself, choose your next review. This is your self-assessment.
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Make it stick
Name two tests for whether a Component 2 question is suitable.
If you needed the solution, close it and solve the problem again from a blank page. A correct answer is stronger when you can explain the reason for each step.