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AQA A-level History

Can anyone getting close to 25/25 or 30/30 help with the structure of written answers for the AQA history exam? Could you send your answers so I can understand the best structure?

I'm doing AQA a level history Option 1J The British Empire and Option 2G Birth of the USA. But the structure is similar for all options so any help would be very helpful.

Reply 1

Original post by zaza12647
Can anyone getting close to 25/25 or 30/30 help with the structure of written answers for the AQA history exam? Could you send your answers so I can understand the best structure?
I'm doing AQA a level history Option 1J The British Empire and Option 2G Birth of the USA. But the structure is similar for all options so any help would be very helpful.

I'm doing option N, Russian revolution and dictatorship for paper 2 but the general structure should be similar enough. I'm not perfect so please take this with a grain of salt lol. For the 30 markers you don't have to link the 3 sources together, so just treat them like 3 separate 10 markers. Start with stating the overall argument/tone/reason for the source, like if its a speech who's it for, or if its a letter why. Then use this to state how useful it is, backing up with any facts you know. Then using other quotes or a sub argument, state how useful that is in regards to the source and back up/disprove with evidence. I usually use about 3-4 quotes, each time making sure to link to the question and make your judgement clear. Then assess the provenance, how is it useful or not. and remember that everyone is biased in some way, so if you want to say that you have to back up with a reason why it is biased and how. Also assess the tone, it is negative? Hopeful? etc. and then just repeat for the other 2 sources.
For the 25 marker, all the mark schemes are set out in for/against way, so its completely fine to lay out your argument in 2 paragraphs for yes and no to the Q. But often I organize mine by factors, so for example if I was talking about Stalin's collectivization I might split it up into economic change, social change and political change. For the into, say your judgement, then the factors your going to talk about and give a basic reasoning for why you believe that (It can be really short). Then for each paragraph start by stating a point, giving evidence and saying why this links to the question. I usually do this 3/4 times per paragraph depending on how much stuff I can remember. Then give a mini-judgement at the end, stating why you think this paragraph is/isn't agreeing with the question. do for the other paragraphs and give a conclusion, basically where you just answer the question directly and sorta ranking your view on it.
But most importantly, as long as it makes sense and argues a point well you'll get marks for it, so you don't have to follow this structure at all, its just what I find helpful. I hope this is helpful, if you want any high-mark answers I've written I'll be happy to send them to you, and good luck with your exams! :smile:

Reply 2

Original post by JasperZ17
I'm doing option N, Russian revolution and dictatorship for paper 2 but the general structure should be similar enough. I'm not perfect so please take this with a grain of salt lol. For the 30 markers you don't have to link the 3 sources together, so just treat them like 3 separate 10 markers. Start with stating the overall argument/tone/reason for the source, like if its a speech who's it for, or if its a letter why. Then use this to state how useful it is, backing up with any facts you know. Then using other quotes or a sub argument, state how useful that is in regards to the source and back up/disprove with evidence. I usually use about 3-4 quotes, each time making sure to link to the question and make your judgement clear. Then assess the provenance, how is it useful or not. and remember that everyone is biased in some way, so if you want to say that you have to back up with a reason why it is biased and how. Also assess the tone, it is negative? Hopeful? etc. and then just repeat for the other 2 sources.
For the 25 marker, all the mark schemes are set out in for/against way, so its completely fine to lay out your argument in 2 paragraphs for yes and no to the Q. But often I organize mine by factors, so for example if I was talking about Stalin's collectivization I might split it up into economic change, social change and political change. For the into, say your judgement, then the factors your going to talk about and give a basic reasoning for why you believe that (It can be really short). Then for each paragraph start by stating a point, giving evidence and saying why this links to the question. I usually do this 3/4 times per paragraph depending on how much stuff I can remember. Then give a mini-judgement at the end, stating why you think this paragraph is/isn't agreeing with the question. do for the other paragraphs and give a conclusion, basically where you just answer the question directly and sorta ranking your view on it.
But most importantly, as long as it makes sense and argues a point well you'll get marks for it, so you don't have to follow this structure at all, its just what I find helpful. I hope this is helpful, if you want any high-mark answers I've written I'll be happy to send them to you, and good luck with your exams! :smile:

Hello, I hope you did well in your exams,
I’m currently doing the same options as you for history a level and I was wondering if it would be possible for me to see your high marked answers. I always get stuck between 16-18 marks in my 25 markers and it would be super helpful if you could provide me some examples of your work!

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