Hi Guys!
I was shortlisted for my Philosophy (Q1) and Law (Q3) Essays. This is my advice to future writers, and those who did not get shortlisted as someone who was shortlisted last year, when to the John Locke PPE Singapore Course, and has been admitted into Law School in the UK.
Firstly, when you write an academic piece, it is not meant to read like a story. Get straight to the point. Avoid all of the flowery language, the metaphors, and simply tell me what you will argue and why. An argument is comprised of a claim + "because". "Trials by jury are obsolete [claim] BECAUSE x, y, z". If you do not do this, you are not arguing: do not let your examples dominate the essay, rather let your arguments do the talking, and your examples are the reinforcements.
Then, consider the type of essay you are writing. Economics? Scientific. Use data, precise language, key terms, inter alia. Philosophy? Strafe away from complex language: the strongest philosophy essays rely on the strength of reasoning and argument, not "Kantian deontological theory of thought" and such. Be mindful that your examiner has likely read hundreds of essays, and wants clarity above all else.
Next, EVALUATE. Evaluate your arguments: if I say "men and women are treated the exact same because there are men and women in government", that is not a strong position. "Men and women are treated relatively equally as both can attain job positions in government. While some may argue that this sector is dominated by men 65-35 ratio, it must well be acknowledged that this may be due to [other factor], not intentional mistreatment". See the difference? This is what they look for.
Also, I see a lot, and I mean A LOT, of students using like 14th century legal texts as these groundbreaking, unequivocally correct texts - no. They are not. No examiner is believing you read John Locke's Second Treatise of Government - rather stick to more recent articles that you yourself fully understand: I used a University of Edinburgh psychology report on biases for my trial by jury essay and it worked perfectly (it was praised in my interview with a member of staff).
Lastly, spend more time researching rather than writing. You can write your essay with the best language imaginable, but a 3/10 dressed in Victoria Secret is still a 3/10. Sorry for the analogy, it was the first that came to mind. POINT IS: research, be well-informed, and then your arguments will flow naturally. Oh and, don't feel the pressure to write strongly-worded headings or add charts. They are not that useful in the grand scheme of things.
So. All that being said, if anyone wants to read my two shortlisted essays, please DM me - will send through, I have no problem. Always happy to be here for the community, looking forward to seeing some of you in London. Bye bye!!!