"evaluate the effectiveness of legal and non-legal mechanisms in dealing with contemporary issues concerning world order"
I want to focus on ISIS but do I just focus on them?
Going by the question it does say 'issues' so more then one is probably better.
A nice comprehensive legal response: Intro > Para 1 > Para 2 > Para 3 > Para 4 > Conclusion
Usually it is great to talk about 2 legal and 2 non-legal linking their effectiveness with both the themes and challenges and obviously using the contemporary issues as examples.
I've been told to avoid definitions like the plague in legal studies?
The most difficult part in the HSC is trying to please the markers, especially in an essay. Some markers may prefer a definition and mark you down for not having them and some may hate them and mark you down for having them (Hopfully your marker isn't this strict
). It truly is just going with what you feel is acceptable and rolling the dice. I feel as long as the essay flows well and answers the question then you will be fine.