Unit 3 DAPS

I got feedback on my latest essay yesterday. I managed a 64% with the comment that if I had written a stronger conclusion then I woud have gained a merit. The subject was "How important is regionality to the Australian wine industry?"

I've been struggling with these essays since I started with them in April. Initially I wasn't getting the marks as I wasn't writing sufficient detail. Without facts how can the WSET mark you? This feedback moves on from there to the need to express a well argued opinion supported with facts. And all this in 30 minutes in your own handwriting.

I'm just so glad I'm doing these DAPS (Diploma Assessment Preparation Scheme) essays. Given the focus in units 2, 4, 5 and 6 on facts rather than opinion it's a bit of a change.

This well illustrates how challenging the Diploma is. You not only need to know your facts and be able to recall them in 3 stress packed hours for Unit 3, but you also need to be able to structure an argument around them as well for some, although not all, of the questions. I'm glad I'm learning this now rather than post my Unit 3 result.

I'm just about to submit my next essay which has as the subject "Explain why retail prices for New Zealand wines are high. Despite this, how has the New Zealand wine industry expanded its markets?"