history source paper: how to answer questions

each one: how many paragraphs, what is in each paragraph, etc.

what is the message of source A?

• 1 paragraph

• give one BIG OVERALL MESSAGE

• back up with 2/3 points direct from source

cartoon:
Identify an element of the cartoon and describe the element.

1. Explain the element and what it means.

2. Interpret the cartoon/element and suggest the cartoonist's point of view.

How far do sources A and B agree? [7]

agree

disagree

(compare details + sub messages)

compare BIG MESSAGES

why was source A published in year XXXX? (Use details from Source A as well as own knowledge.)

• 1 paragraph

• describe what the author’s aim was

• back up with 2/3 points from own context, linked to the source

I think: why in general, and why at that time specifically

How similar are sources C and D?

compare big messages (explain each)

compare cartoonist’s point of view

compare provenance and details/sub-messages

how to think about provenance

who, why, when, what, from where

nature, origin, purpose

Purpose
Author
Nature
Date
Audience

how far does source B support source A?

• 3 paragraphs

• how B does support source A (inference + direct)

• how they disagree ( “ “ )

• conclusion and BIG MESSAGE

don’t need to talk about provenance

does source D mean source C is unreliable? Explain using the sources and your own knowledge

3 paragraphs

• compare based on content

• compare based on provenance

• conclusion + explanation

how far does source A prove source B wrong?

okay basically all the rest are and use own knowledge

3 paragraphs

• how far A proves B wrong by content (how they disprove)

• how far A proves B wrong by provenance (why they disprove)

• conclusion + explanation

were the two sources published for the same reason?

3 paragraphs:

• explain purpose of source A (including content, provenance)

• explain purpose of source B (including content, provenance)

• directly address if there is a common reason + explanation

Read sources A and B. Am I surprised by the attitude towards X in B?

• Yes, surprised (based on content/provenance, and use info from A, as well as own knowledge)

• No, not surprised (content/provenance/source A)

• conclusion + explain

Am I surprised by source A?

3 paragraphs:

either:

• yes, surprised (content/provenance)

• no, not surprised (content/provenance)

• conclusion + explanation

or:

• how surprised based on content

• how surprised based on provenance

• conclusion + explanation

is source A or B more useful for evidence of X?

3 paragraphs:

• utility of A (for + against, consider content/provenance)

• utility of B (for + against, consider content/provenance)

• conclusion + explanation (can be: one useful for x, one for y - a source is rarely completely useless)

how far do I trust source A?

3 paragraphs:

• yes, trust (content/provenance)

• no, don’t trust (content/provenance)

• conclusion + explanation

Study all of the sources.
‘The main cause of x was the y’. How far do these sources provide convincing evidence of this?

4 paragraphs:

• intro: outline two groups (sources for, sources against)

• P1: explain how agree group does provide convincing evidence

  • pick 1 or 2 sources max to briefly talk about trust, provenance, (esp. juicy ones)

• P2: explain how disagree group does not provide convincing evidence

  • pick 1 or 2 sources max to briefly talk about trust, provenance, (esp. juicy ones)

• conclusion: which set is more convincing? (agrees/disagrees)

what to remember for final question about how many sources to include?

• MUST cover both sides

• at least 2 sources per side = 6 marks

should do a plan - easy to do last as will have looked at most sources for previous questions.