A level - Personal Investigation Guide

AQA A-Level Art & Art 3D: Personal Investigation Essay Guide (12-Page Student Booklet + Posters)

A comprehensive, student-friendly guide designed to support Year 12/13 students in writing a high-quality Personal Investigation essay for AQA A-Level Art & Design.

This resource breaks down the essay process step-by-step, helping students move from basic description to confident, analytical and well-structured writing.

What’s included:

• 12 clearly structured A4 pages (can be used as a booklet or individual posters)
• Full essay breakdown (Introduction → Artist Analysis → Personal Connections → Conclusion)
• Sentence starters to support all ability levels
• Key vocabulary to develop analytical writing
• Guidance on where and how to include artists and research
• Referencing guide (books, websites, images/artworks)
• Example paragraphs (A, C, E) with clear explanations
• AQA assessment criteria explained in student-friendly language
• Proofreading and improvement strategies
• Common mistakes and how to avoid them
• Final checklist for independent student use

Why this resource works:

• Designed specifically for AQA Personal Investigation requirements
• Clear, visually engaging layout to support understanding and recall
• Builds student confidence in structuring and writing extended responses
• Encourages independent learning and self-assessment
• Suitable for mixed ability classes (scaffolding + stretch)

How to use:

• Print as a full booklet for students
• Display individual pages as classroom posters
• Use sections as lesson starters or writing scaffolds
• Support coursework, homework or revision

Ideal for:

• Year 12 & Year 13 A-Level Art students
• Teachers looking to improve essay writing and analysis
• Supporting Personal Investigation (Component 1)