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AQA A level history coursework question help

I was ill the last week of term so my history teacher hasn't approved any of my proposed questions for the coursework, which I need to research over the summer. I'm planning to do a fashion/textiles based essay, which he has agreed I can do, but none of the example questions I've seen are social history based, they all seem to revolve around tracking changes based on specific precipitating events, which just isn't how fashion works. I'm also a bit confused about what types of academic sources are permissable, as my teacher is only recommending full books that cover the entire period but most textile history research tends to be shorter journal articles and the occasional PHD, mostly depth studies over shorter periods. I could probably find 2 breadth study books but it would likely limit my arguments a lot.

Essentially my questions are thus:
- Can I just write an essay tracking the changes in the structure/function of a specific garment (e.g. corsets) over a 100 year period, not based around 1 precipitating event but rather gradual socioeconomic changes?
- Do my academic sources need to cover the whole 100 year period or can I use multiple less broad sources that cumulatively cover the whole period?

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Original post
by Kant Touch This!
Hi, I do OCR and my coursework is a lot different to yours, I'm sure you don't even use primary or secondary sources (Ao2) , only historian (Ao3).
I think the most pragmatic approach would be for Q1 to make sure your question topic is broad, but keep the time period small, as there is just so much that you could say, and you only have a limited amount of words and there are so many arguments you could bring up, but I would stick with 3 depending on your word count.
For Q2, for the breadth of your argument, use more less broad sources to cover the time period of your question (remember keep the time period short)
Also, this is not professional advice, this is what I have learnt as I have submitted my first draft and have received feedback, but I also noticed no one has replied and I didn't you to panic because it is initially a lot to think about, but as you begin to write you will feel more confident.
For historians, it's okay if you can't find much, I struggled too, but honestly just ask your teachers for recommendation and help, they must have something or access to resources that can help you. And have a range of different historian, try not to use the same one as it will affect the breadth of your argument.
For some general tips for coursework, obviously research your knowledge (Ao1) and make a very detailed plan for your essay and exactly what you are going to say, so when it comes to writing you have your substantiated argument that will only need a few edits.
Hope that helps!

Thanks for the advice!

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