Scoring Marks in Higher History

1. Essays2. Source questions

3. Assignment

1. Essays

• All essays are marked out of 20:

- intro: 2 marks- conclusion: 2 marks- knowledge: 6 marks- analysis: 6 marks- evaluation: 4 marks

Intro

To get full marks here,

• Briefly describe the background of the topic – context

• Identify different factors

• Connect these factors to a line of argument

Intro - Basic Example:

How important were the suffragettes in winning votes for women?

“In 1851 up to 1918, no woman had the right to vote. There are many reasons why women got the vote. The main reason, many people believe, is the suffragette campaign. However, they are not the only reason women got the vote, there were other suffrage campaigns like the suffragists. Many also believe that it was the work women did during the war. Also, women’s lives and rights had been going through a gradual process of change throughout the 19th century, and the vote was the end point of this.”

Conclusion - TRY THIS:

“In conclusion…..”

“On the one hand…..”

“On the other hand….”

“Overall…..”

Indicates conclusion has started

Provides a summary of some points

Completes the summary and gives balance

Provides a final judgement to the question

Knowledge Marks

To gain marks, knowledge must be:

• Relevant to the issue in question• Developed by providing additional detail or

evidence• Used to respond to the demands of the

question

DO THIS 6 TIMES FOR 6 MARKS!!

Examples • “The Women’s Social and Political Union was

formed in 1903 and became known as the Suffragettes.” – NO MARKS: you have not used your information by linking it to the question.

• “The Women’s Social and Political Union was formed in 1903. The WSPU, known as the Suffragettes, used extreme actions to gain publicity for the cause of votes for women.” - 1 MARK: linked to question

Analysis

• There are up to 6 marks available for this:

- 4 marks for comments which analyse a factor (“This is important because…”)

- a further 2 marks if you link your analysis back to the question

ExampleQ. To what extent was propaganda important to the Nazi control of Germany after 1933?

“Propaganda such as rallies at Nuremberg was important because it was watched by thousands of Germans and they were pleased to feel proud of their country again. (A) By doing this, the rallies showed that Hitler was keeping his promise of restoring German pride and destroying the hated Treaty of Versailles which were vital steps in maintaining Nazi control over Germany. (extra A – linked back to question)”

- The phrase ‘were vital steps in maintaining Nazi control over Germany’ is what gains you the extra mark here, because you have linked your comments to the main question

Evaluation

Evaluation is the judgements you make about the importance of the factors in terms of the main question. This can be:

• A counter argument: “However, …..”

• Historical debate

Example of EvaluationQ. To what extent was propaganda important to the Nazi control of Germany after 1933?

“However, while propaganda was important in pleasing many Germans and keeping their support, it really only appealed to Nazi supporters. Those who did not support the Nazis also had to be controlled and for those people the use of fear and force was more important than propaganda in maintaining control.”

2. Source Questions• Evaluate the usefulness 6 marks• How fully 9 marks• Source comparison 5 marks___________________________________• Total 20 marks

• 3 questions BUT 4 issuesÞ One issue is left out of exam paper

HOWEVER, YOU WILL NEED TO STUDY ALL FOUR ISSUES

Evaluate the usefulness

• Always a primary source• Never a picture/cartoon/map: ALWAYS written

• Up to 4 marks for evaluative comments relating to author, type of source, timing, purpose

• Up to 2 marks for evaluative comments relating to the content of the source

• Up to 2 marks for evaluative comments relating to points of significant omission (recall!).

ExampleSource A is useful as evidence of Scottish involvement in the Western Front because it is from a diary of an officer form the Black Watch who will be well informed about the Scots’ military involvement at the Battle of Loos. (1 mark for Origin – authorship)As it is a diary it is also useful as it will give an eyewitness view of the battle. (1 mark for Origin – purpose)The source was written at the end of October 1915 making it useful because it was in the immediate aftermath of the battle. (1 mark for Origin – timing)The content is about the men his battalion lost in the attack. This is useful as the deaths of 19 officers and 230 men shows the losses Scots took. (1 mark for content)It is also useful as the Black Watch were part of 30,000 Scots who attacked at Loos, showing a lot of Scottish involvement. (1 mark for a point of context – recall).However, the source does not give other ways in which Scots were involved. General Haig, who was Scots, made a large contribution as he was Commander in Chief of the British forces (1 mark for a point for significant omission )

A Model for Success“Source A’s origin is useful for showing (insert question stem here) because it is…… (discuss author here, then date)The source’s possible purpose is useful for showing (insert question stem here) because…..The content of the source is also useful. Firstly, it states ……This is useful in terms of the question because…..Secondly, it states that…… This is useful in terms of the question because……However, the source is of limited value because it does not mention…….., which is an important piece of information.It also does not mention……., which further affects the source’s usefulness in terms of amount of detail.”

Comparing Sources

You should compare sources:

- on a point by point basis (4 times = 4 marks)

- overall (up to 2 marks)

No recall is needed in this answer!!

Point by Point comparisons

Source A states that “…….”. Source B states that “…….”. Therefore the sources agree (or disagree) that ………

x 4

Overall Comparisons

• Overall comparisons should compare the viewpoint of each source, rather than their content. 1 mark

• Developing the overall comparison (by discussing differences of emphasis, or disagreements etc.) an extra 1 mark

“Overall, both sources agree that Scots soldiers fought bravely during the Battle of Loos despite lacking reinforcements. (1)However, Source A focuses on the losses incurred, while Source B instead discusses the impact on morale (2)”

How fully

• You must make a judgement about the extent to which the source provides a full description/explanation of a given event

Þ Use the word ‘partly’ !!!

Þ i.e.: “Source C partly explains the impact of the war on Scottish politics.”

How fully cont.

• Up to 3 marks for source points• Each point needs to be interpreted in terms of

the question rather than simply copied from the source, for example:

“The source says ‘……’ This means that…..” x 3

How Fully Cont.• You can score up to 6 marks for ‘points of significant

omission which support your judgment’ – i.e. relevant recall!

• A maximum of 2 marks may be given for answers that don’t make a judgment => always use ‘partly’!!

Method:-

“Source A partly describes the experiences of the Scots on the Western Front. It tells us that….(3 separate, interpreted and relevant points form the source…3 sentences, at least).However, it could have been fuller if it mentioned that…..(6 separate, developed and relevant points from recall…6 sentences)”

How the Assignment is marked• Introduction with context and relevant factors

identified – 3 Marks• Analysing different factors contributing to an event

or development(Always analyse factors in terms of the question) – 8 Marks

• Evaluating factors to develop a line of argument (counter arguments or interpretations) – 4 Marks

• Using Information from sources referred to , in order to support factors – 4 Marks

• Using Knowledge to support factors – 8 Marks• Coming to a conclusion - 3 Marks