Hi, I'm a history tutor...here is some advice about how to answer the source based unit in the second paper (the examples here are for the Russia but the general points apply to all topics.
Source questions – Exam guide
45 mins
Question 1 – 3 marks
Picture question - What can we learn from this source…
Spend 5 minutes max on this question.
State: What the picture is showing (no need to include too much detail)
One or two things that we can infer from the picture
Question 2 – 7 marks
Source comparison question – to what extent do the two sources agree/disagree
Read the sources twice. Underline points that are similar and points that are not similar
Your answer needs:
A very brief introduction stating the extent to which the sources agree
A paragraph on similarities (try and find two if possible). Use short quotes from the sources to support your points.
A paragraph on differences (try to find two if possible).
Provenance – only mention this if it is explicitly relevant – (e.g a source on the Red army written by Trotsky).
Remember – the differences and similarities can be quite subtle. Look for what the sources DON’T say as well as what they do say.
15 marker – To what extent… Using the sources and your own knowledge.
Do a brief plan for the question before you start writing – this will help you be clear on what topic to cover in each paragraph and where you are going to use each source in you answer.
Introduction: Offer an initial judgement on the question and mention the factors that you are going to consider in your answer.
Paragraph One – start off with the topic that the question is addressing – for example, if the question is ‘to what extent was Trotsky’s leadership responsible for the Reds winning the Civil War’ your first paragraph should be on Trotsky’s leadership.
Show off your knowledge
- E.g Lenin introduced the NEP because there was much opposition to War Communism. This is vague
- Lenin introduced the NEP in 1921 because there was much opposition to War Communism from previously loyal Bolshevik supporters (as shown by the Kronstadt Naval Mutiny).
Short quotes from sources.
Only mention provenance if it is very important (written by a key figure of the time, obviously biased etc).
The sources will generally but not always cover 3 factors. This should leave one or two factors that you can cover in another paragraph.
For example, for a question on the Civil War…
The sources might cover Trotsky’s leadership, Red Army and White army military strength, Bolshevik focus
This would leave geography and the role of Lenin for you to consider in separate paragraphs.
Conclusion – sum up your answer, don’t mention any factors here that you haven’t covered in the main part of the essay.