Edexcel History Unit 3 A2

Hi!

Has anybody got any tips on how to structure a source based essay? I'm not sure whether to do, intro, for, against, conclusion or intro, 3 main point raised in source x cross refferenced with the other sources paragraphs and then a conclusion.

Reply 1

SiriusCybernetics

Original post by SamFH76

Hi!

Has anybody got any tips on how to structure a source based essay? I'm not sure whether to do, intro, for, against, conclusion or intro, 3 main point raised in source x cross refferenced with the other sources paragraphs and then a conclusion.

I could really do with some help on this as well, if there are any guardian angels on this forum that would be willing to help.

Reply 2

Heliocentric

My history teacher said to do this:

Introduction (explain controversies and differing points of view)

Paragraph for theme A
-How does Source 1 relate
-evaluate Source 1, with own knowledge
-How does Source 2 relate
-evaluate Source 2, with own knowledge
-How does Source 3 relate
-evaluate Source 3, with own knowledge

Paragraph for theme B
-How does Source 1 relate
-evaluate Source 1, with own knowledge
-How does Source 2 relate
-evaluate Source 2, with own knowledge
-How does Source 3 relate
-evaluate Source 3, with own knowledge

Paragraph for theme C
-How does Source 1 relate
-evaluate Source 1, with own knowledge
-How does Source 2 relate
-evaluate Source 2, with own knowledge
-How does Source 3 relate
-evaluate Source 3, with own knowledge

Conclusion, with reference to controversies

Reply 3

hollyphelpsss

You've literally saved my life! Thankyou!!

Reply 4

hollyphelpsss

Original post by peeweeherman

Stupid question, but is anyone doing Kaiser to Fuhrer?
I think there's too much to learn and was wondering what other people are revising specifically?
I'm gonna do the World War 1 controversy for part B, and I've learned the basics for all part A topics but I know impact of world war 1 in-depth as well as the 'Golden Years' and Hitlers rise to power.
:smile:

I am! I hate it! Haha.

I'm only revising Controversy 1 and then I've learnt all four of the other subjects with specialisation on two of them.

It would be just my luck if the other two came up, but what can you do a day before the exam... oops.

Good Luck honey! xxx

Reply 5

yandlek

Cross referencing between sources is needed to access higher marks and my teacher strongly advices not to do a paragraph on source 1, then source 2, then source 3. Looking at them in order makes it look really simplistic.

Reply 6

Nib nab

What I usually do and my history teacher advises is:
in the first paragraph outline arguments of each sources and how they relate to the q

then ALWAYS start by agreeing with the q working e.g. 'Both sources 3 and 4 agree' and then own knowledge to back up
then say how these sources are limited by evaluating and being in own knowledge about other factor suggested in a source and use sources to put the argument forward.
Then look for other factors in sources and use own knowledge.
The argument should be led by sources so include plenty of integrated quotations.

Reply 7

Charlzi

11

Bringing up an old subject but - Does anyone know if its worth it missing out 1 section A unit and either the start of beginning of ones section? Taking 2/4 can come up in Section A,it defiently cannot be the same topic? And you either get one from the start or end in section b correct?

Reply 8

Gorganite

12

Original post by Charlzi

Bringing up an old subject but - Does anyone know if its worth it missing out 1 section A unit and either the start of beginning of ones section? Taking 2/4 can come up in Section A,it defiently cannot be the same topic? And you either get one from the start or end in section b correct?

I wouldn't miss out any section A unit it's just too much of a risk. For example, if arms race came up and you didn't revise that at all and the other question was terrible, well it would be a disaster. And no whilst, it can't be the same topic a unit that came up from Section A may come up again.

And for Section B, yes you do get to choose the start and the end.
I'm doing the beginning. The end is just boring a and all that Gorbachev nonsense is just meh,

But I am sort of nervous

Reply 9

Oheemakeke

I definitely think Sino soviet relations and why they deteriorated will come up. Looking at past paper questions, sino soviet has not come up since June 2010.

Also think peaceful co existence will come up.

Good Luck!!

Reply 10

don_oz1

Looking at past papers there has been one question where either the arms race or peaceful coexistence has come up and the other question has been on either sino-soviet or detente however sino-soviet relations on its own has not come up since June 2010 so its more likely to have one question on sino-soviet, and the arms race ans peaceful coexistence questions has been alternating from one year being peaceful coexistence and one year arms race this year can be peaceful coexistence but then again it might not be, I'm revising arms race and peaceful coexistence mostly... And part Bii on how the cold war ended

Reply 11

arminb

3

Are you sure that you have to know only 1 historical controversy in section B. Im doing international relation but the 1871-1941 one and it would be helpful if my stupid teacher has told me before that i need to know only one of the two historical controversies. One is about the failures of the league and the other about why major fighting broke in 1939. It doesn't seem to mention that you need to only one in the specification either :confused:

Reply 12

Alex_Drums

for the source based questions a reeaaally simple way of doing it is ussing the word ISSOKE for each paragraph
Interpretation
Source Support
Own Knowledge
Evaluation

Original post by arminb

Are you sure that you have to know only 1 historical controversy in section B. Im doing international relation but the 1871-1941 one and it would be helpful if my stupid teacher has told me before that i need to know only one of the two historical controversies. One is about the failures of the league and the other about why major fighting broke in 1939. It doesn't seem to mention that you need to only one in the specification either :confused:

its better if you know both but you only answer one of em

Reply 13

Gorganite

12

So how did everyone find their papers. I loved mine :biggrin:

The peaceful coexistence question was amazing. The sources were alright but I still think I did good

Reply 14

arminb

3

Anyone doing international relations 1871-1941? I think it wasnt too easy but i still did fine. Particularly in part B.

Reply 15

Sonwusiri95

Original post by Gorganite

So how did everyone find their papers. I loved mine :biggrin:

The peaceful coexistence question was amazing. The sources were alright but I still think I did good

omg I did the same paper! i did peaceful coexistence and the end of the cold war. the sources were so weird and confusing. what did you put for the peaceful coexistence question pls? What did they mean end the cold war? I was so confused but just answerred it as if they asked why did peaceful coexistence fail.. i hope we did well! :biggrin:

Reply 16

Sonwusiri95

Original post by don_oz1

Looking at past papers there has been one question where either the arms race or peaceful coexistence has come up and the other question has been on either sino-soviet or detente however sino-soviet relations on its own has not come up since June 2010 so its more likely to have one question on sino-soviet, and the arms race ans peaceful coexistence questions has been alternating from one year being peaceful coexistence and one year arms race this year can be peaceful coexistence but then again it might not be, I'm revising arms race and peaceful coexistence mostly... And part Bii on how the cold war ended

how did you think the sources went? it was so confusing for me! and what points do you recall making please

Reply 17

Alex_Drums

Original post by Sonwusiri95

omg I did the same paper! i did peaceful coexistence and the end of the cold war. the sources were so weird and confusing. what did you put for the peaceful coexistence question pls? What did they mean end the cold war? I was so confused but just answerred it as if they asked why did peaceful coexistence fail.. i hope we did well! :biggrin:

yeahh i saw the peaceful coexistence question as a bit ambiguous like that so went for sino-soviet question instead, which is fine because i love blaming the entire ordeal on Mao :biggrin:

really? i thought the sources were really clear, top was economics, middle Reagana and last one Gorbachev, coulda been worse, could've been a source on the Pope of Thatcher and that would have been a pain

Reply 18

Sonwusiri95

do u guys think edexcel are lenient when it comes to marking btw?

Reply 19

OOjuniperberry

Original post by arminb

Anyone doing international relations 1871-1941? I think it wasnt too easy but i still did fine. Particularly in part B.

I did International Relations! Part B was great.. which Part A did you do? I did the defensive/offensive alliance question.. not exactly what I was hoping for but it wasn't TOO bad.

Edexcel History Unit 3 A2

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