a level history coursework aqa

hi guys
I'm going into year 13 and haven't started my coursework, It is on the Tudors and I don't know anything about the Tudors and have no idea where to start. I need to figure out my questions and find my sources however I don't know how to. if someone could please help me out or give me guidance or any tips it would be highly appreciated
thank you so much.

Reply 1

Mona c

Original post

by aiming4success

Starting your coursework on the Tudors can feel overwhelming, especially if you're not familiar with the topic. But don’t worry—you can tackle it step by step. Here’s a guide to help you get started:

### 1. **Understand the Basics**
- **Who Were the Tudors?** The Tudor dynasty ruled England from 1485 to 1603, beginning with Henry VII and ending with Elizabeth I. This period is known for significant changes in politics, religion, and society.
- **Key Figures:** Some important Tudors to know about include Henry VII, Henry VIII, Edward VI, Mary I, and Elizabeth I. Each of these monarchs had a profound impact on English history.

### 2. **Choosing a Focused Topic**
- **Identify Areas of Interest:** The Tudor period is broad, so think about what interests you. Do you want to explore political power struggles, religious changes like the Reformation, social life, or perhaps the impact of the Tudors on the arts?
- **Develop a Research Question:** Once you have a general idea, narrow it down to a specific question. For example:
- *How did Henry VIII’s break from the Catholic Church impact English society?*
- *What were the key factors behind Elizabeth I’s success as a ruler?*
- *How did the Tudor period shape the future of the British monarchy?*
- **Seek Advice:** Don’t hesitate to ask your teacher for guidance in refining your question. They can help you ensure it’s both interesting and manageable.

### 3. **Finding Sources**
- **Start with General Overviews:** Begin with textbooks or reliable online resources like BBC History or the British Library to get a broad understanding of the Tudors.
- **Primary Sources:** Look for original documents from the period, such as letters, official records, or writings by figures like Thomas More or William Shakespeare. Online databases like JSTOR, Google Scholar, or even your school’s library might have accessible materials.
- **Secondary Sources:** These are analyses by historians and scholars that provide context and interpretations. Books, journal articles, and reputable websites are good places to find these.
- **Keep Track of Sources:** As you gather information, make sure to note where you found each piece of information. This will be important for citations and building a bibliography.

### 4. **Planning Your Coursework**
- **Create an Outline:** Once you have a research question and sources, plan out how you will structure your coursework. Outline the main points you want to cover and the evidence you’ll use to support them.
- **Set Milestones:** Break down your work into manageable tasks with deadlines. For example, aim to have your research done by a certain date, then move on to drafting sections of your coursework.

### 5. **Additional Tips**
- **Stay Organized:** Keep all your notes, sources, and drafts in one place, whether it’s a physical notebook or a digital folder.
- **Ask for Feedback:** Before you finalize your work, ask your teacher or a peer to review your outline or draft. They can provide valuable feedback and catch any issues early on.
- **Start Now:** The earlier you start, the more time you’ll have to research, write, and revise. Don’t worry about knowing everything right away—research is about learning as you go.

Starting your coursework might feel daunting, but by breaking it down into smaller steps, you’ll find it much more manageable. Remember, the key is to stay curious and focused. Good luck, and don’t hesitate to reach out for help along the way!

Reply 2

cvpidd

Original post

by Mona c

Starting your coursework on the Tudors can feel overwhelming, especially if you're not familiar with the topic. But don’t worry—you can tackle it step by step. Here’s a guide to help you get started:
### 1. **Understand the Basics**
- **Who Were the Tudors?** The Tudor dynasty ruled England from 1485 to 1603, beginning with Henry VII and ending with Elizabeth I. This period is known for significant changes in politics, religion, and society.
- **Key Figures:** Some important Tudors to know about include Henry VII, Henry VIII, Edward VI, Mary I, and Elizabeth I. Each of these monarchs had a profound impact on English history.
### 2. **Choosing a Focused Topic**
- **Identify Areas of Interest:** The Tudor period is broad, so think about what interests you. Do you want to explore political power struggles, religious changes like the Reformation, social life, or perhaps the impact of the Tudors on the arts?
- **Develop a Research Question:** Once you have a general idea, narrow it down to a specific question. For example:
- *How did Henry VIII’s break from the Catholic Church impact English society?*
- *What were the key factors behind Elizabeth I’s success as a ruler?*
- *How did the Tudor period shape the future of the British monarchy?*
- **Seek Advice:** Don’t hesitate to ask your teacher for guidance in refining your question. They can help you ensure it’s both interesting and manageable.
### 3. **Finding Sources**
- **Start with General Overviews:** Begin with textbooks or reliable online resources like BBC History or the British Library to get a broad understanding of the Tudors.
- **Primary Sources:** Look for original documents from the period, such as letters, official records, or writings by figures like Thomas More or William Shakespeare. Online databases like JSTOR, Google Scholar, or even your school’s library might have accessible materials.
- **Secondary Sources:** These are analyses by historians and scholars that provide context and interpretations. Books, journal articles, and reputable websites are good places to find these.
- **Keep Track of Sources:** As you gather information, make sure to note where you found each piece of information. This will be important for citations and building a bibliography.
### 4. **Planning Your Coursework**
- **Create an Outline:** Once you have a research question and sources, plan out how you will structure your coursework. Outline the main points you want to cover and the evidence you’ll use to support them.
- **Set Milestones:** Break down your work into manageable tasks with deadlines. For example, aim to have your research done by a certain date, then move on to drafting sections of your coursework.
### 5. **Additional Tips**
- **Stay Organized:** Keep all your notes, sources, and drafts in one place, whether it’s a physical notebook or a digital folder.
- **Ask for Feedback:** Before you finalize your work, ask your teacher or a peer to review your outline or draft. They can provide valuable feedback and catch any issues early on.
- **Start Now:** The earlier you start, the more time you’ll have to research, write, and revise. Don’t worry about knowing everything right away—research is about learning as you go.
Starting your coursework might feel daunting, but by breaking it down into smaller steps, you’ll find it much more manageable. Remember, the key is to stay curious and focused. Good luck, and don’t hesitate to reach out for help along the way!

this is definitely ai😭😭

Reply 3

qwerties

Original post

by aiming4success

Hey! Really glad you reached out and asked! I did my History A Level in 2023 and got an A*, with 98% achieved in the Tudors. I also loved that topic, so I would love to help you with this. Let me just ask you a few questions.

What is the timeframe given by the syllabus?

Which part of the era are you interested in? Henry VII, Henry VIII the Mid Tudors, or Elizabeth I? Or would you be interested in approaching it from a thematic perspective, ie. analysing the economic developments, religious shifts, or administrative measures?

Are there any other constraints set in place by the syllabus? Eg. must cover x amount of years or monarchs?

What exam board are you writing for?

Let me know!

Reply 4

aiming4success

Original post

by qwerties

What is the timeframe given by the syllabus?

Are there any other constraints set in place by the syllabus? Eg. must cover x amount of years or monarchs?

What exam board are you writing for?

Let me know!

omg congratulations you did so good 🫶🫶
the timeframe is 1485-1603 but has to be within100 year period. i’m interested in foreign policy. i need to include 3-4 sections (3-4 wars or significant fights i need to find 2 contrasting historical interpretations and 3 primary sources. im doing the NEA at the moment, and the deadline is next week the exam board is AQA. i don’t know how to find the historical interpretations and primary sources. i’m really struggling as my knowledge on foreign policy is limited as well.