AQA A level history essay (25 markers) Verrified Questions And Answers
1. How do you write introductions?: Address your question focus.
directly answer it and outline your themes/factors of which you should usually have 3
2. What are thematic essays?: It's a yes or no question and so you should explore it in 3 big
ideas/themes
3. How do you write para (thematic essay)?: Para 1:
It could be argued that (your line of argument) because. give evidence and explain it! Then link back to the question
(therefore, this means that...)
However, it could also be argued that (counterargument to your line of argument). Give evidence for this and explain. Nevertheless, it
still seems that Henry VII did successfully consolidate his power because (point out why the counterargument is weak and yours is
better).
Therefore, (link back to your line of argument)
4. How do you write conclusions (thematic essay)?: Overall, (state your line of argument and say it
can be concluded to be correct) then give the reasons for it, essentially summarise what you've just said the reasons were
Whilst it could be argued that (summarise all the counterargument you've given), it remains clear that (remind them why your
argument is stronger and right)
5. What are factor essays?: For factor essays it's very similar but a bit different! Factor essays prompt you to use a
factor from the question itself.
For example, "Henry Vill's main aim in foreign policy was peace in Europe".
* You would have to do a para which explores the idea that the main aim was peace in Europe. But then do another two paras looking
at two other factors it could also be (if peace in Europe). You could say that it wasn't peace in Europe it was military glory or that it
was securing the succession instead. These would then be your two other FEEDBACK
factors.
* Once you have your 3 factors, you should decide which one to agree with. You could say it's the factor in the question or you could say
it's one of your own factors instead!
* You should always say the factor in the question for your first paragraph as you need to compare it throughout.
6. How do you write factor essays)?: I would do it like this if you agree with the factor in the question:
1/2
1. How do you write introductions?: Address your question focus.
directly answer it and outline your themes/factors of which you should usually have 3
2. What are thematic essays?: It's a yes or no question and so you should explore it in 3 big
ideas/themes
3. How do you write para (thematic essay)?: Para 1:
It could be argued that (your line of argument) because. give evidence and explain it! Then link back to the question
(therefore, this means that...)
However, it could also be argued that (counterargument to your line of argument). Give evidence for this and explain. Nevertheless, it
still seems that Henry VII did successfully consolidate his power because (point out why the counterargument is weak and yours is
better).
Therefore, (link back to your line of argument)
4. How do you write conclusions (thematic essay)?: Overall, (state your line of argument and say it
can be concluded to be correct) then give the reasons for it, essentially summarise what you've just said the reasons were
Whilst it could be argued that (summarise all the counterargument you've given), it remains clear that (remind them why your
argument is stronger and right)
5. What are factor essays?: For factor essays it's very similar but a bit different! Factor essays prompt you to use a
factor from the question itself.
For example, "Henry Vill's main aim in foreign policy was peace in Europe".
* You would have to do a para which explores the idea that the main aim was peace in Europe. But then do another two paras looking
at two other factors it could also be (if peace in Europe). You could say that it wasn't peace in Europe it was military glory or that it
was securing the succession instead. These would then be your two other FEEDBACK
factors.
* Once you have your 3 factors, you should decide which one to agree with. You could say it's the factor in the question or you could say
it's one of your own factors instead!
* You should always say the factor in the question for your first paragraph as you need to compare it throughout.
6. How do you write factor essays)?: I would do it like this if you agree with the factor in the question:
1/2
