Paper 1 USA
Extract - plan
Write down everything about the topic the QU is asking before
answering
Pick out/ highlight the key arguments for each extract
Annotate sources - do more support than criticism
Write a summary of argument
Judge how convincing
Writing it up
Historians view - is the historian optimistic, critical or condemning one
and uplifting another?
Start with argument - eg In Extract A, (Historian’s name) argues that…
summarise
Judge this view and use a quote - eg This is convincing as (insert
quote)
Support with knowledge - This is supported by… (give historical
evidence supporting it)
Opposing view - However, this is less convincing because of … (give
historical evidence against the historian’s argument)
- end with judgement - Overall the extract is/ not as convincing
because of … Discuss its strengths and weaknesses
* Consider balance, is the historian balanced and has explored both
sides of the argument? (They may have acknowledged the
counterargument but they have to explore it for it to be fully balanced so
if it isn’t explored you should say that it’s partially balanced.) if it is
balanced then it’s more valid a view and if not, it is less valid. Finally,
give your overall judgment as to whether the extract is valid based on all
of this.
Extract - plan
Write down everything about the topic the QU is asking before
answering
Pick out/ highlight the key arguments for each extract
Annotate sources - do more support than criticism
Write a summary of argument
Judge how convincing
Writing it up
Historians view - is the historian optimistic, critical or condemning one
and uplifting another?
Start with argument - eg In Extract A, (Historian’s name) argues that…
summarise
Judge this view and use a quote - eg This is convincing as (insert
quote)
Support with knowledge - This is supported by… (give historical
evidence supporting it)
Opposing view - However, this is less convincing because of … (give
historical evidence against the historian’s argument)
- end with judgement - Overall the extract is/ not as convincing
because of … Discuss its strengths and weaknesses
* Consider balance, is the historian balanced and has explored both
sides of the argument? (They may have acknowledged the
counterargument but they have to explore it for it to be fully balanced so
if it isn’t explored you should say that it’s partially balanced.) if it is
balanced then it’s more valid a view and if not, it is less valid. Finally,
give your overall judgment as to whether the extract is valid based on all
of this.
