Source Analysis
Usefulness - what do we learn from the source
Origin - When,who
Purpose - why
Useful- Content
Reliability - Is this factual, balanced account?
Origin - When,who
Purpose - why
Limitations
More limitation;emotive language, memory bias = less reliable
Evaluate
Combinations of Usefulness and Reliability
, 2
Discursive essay
1. Aim and style of a discursive essay according to the IEB workshop in June 2018:
- a historically accurate piece using evidence to present a balanced discussion around the given question
- It is not completely neutral as the learner must present a consistent argument that addresses the question
- a good discursive essay has detailed content, and a logical, coherent argument
2. Planning
It is important to plan this essay and the lines of argument you will take and which you will take as your stance.
3. Introduction:
Introductions are meant to interpret and clarify the topic for the reader and to give them a good idea of where the rest
of the essay is headed. If it does not do this, then it has failed!
You cannot write an introduction until you have planned and written a rough draft. The intro is vital - it creates the good
or bad impression that can remain with the reader! Keep it simple, direct and short (approx. 8 written lines) using the
following formula:
● Start with a background opening sentence (as you can’t just leap right into the topic). This is also known as a
lead in sentence. It is often useful to provide context of the time in history, in this sentence - date, time, place
etc.
● Outline what your argument or response to the topic is, and what areas your essay will cover.
● Make quite clear the position or stance you will be taking in the body of your essay. Do NOT just repeat or
paraphrase the topic (one of the seven deadly essay writing sins!).
● Also, you may need to define or interpret keywords or concepts in the essay topic (where necessary).eg
brinkmanship, or Holocaust.
4. The Body:
The body of your essay has to have these main characteristics: position, reason backed by evidence which is the
analysis/explanation (interpretation). This is where you present your case - convincingly - using the evidence/facts from
your research/notes. And finally, a statement of what your paragraph has proved about the topic. The rules here are: .
• Use the basic structure of a paragraph (see notes below)
• Make sure that all your statements are supported by evidence.
• Use linking words between paragraphs. This may be as simple as using linking words such as: However, nonetheless,
moreover, indeed, of course yet, but, despite this, in addition, secondly, etc.
• Always relate back to the topic - usually at the end of the paragraph (but this can be at the beginning and (if you are
skilled) even in the middle. Failure to do this means you have told a story, not argued.
• Include the alternative viewpoint (where relevant). Do not simple ignore - try to argue against the alternative
argument, but if not, simply acknowledge its existence. You may weave this into your paragraph under themes, examples
a) and b) below
or acknowledge it at the end of your essay c) below.
Weaving into your paragraph examples
Usefulness - what do we learn from the source
Origin - When,who
Purpose - why
Useful- Content
Reliability - Is this factual, balanced account?
Origin - When,who
Purpose - why
Limitations
More limitation;emotive language, memory bias = less reliable
Evaluate
Combinations of Usefulness and Reliability
, 2
Discursive essay
1. Aim and style of a discursive essay according to the IEB workshop in June 2018:
- a historically accurate piece using evidence to present a balanced discussion around the given question
- It is not completely neutral as the learner must present a consistent argument that addresses the question
- a good discursive essay has detailed content, and a logical, coherent argument
2. Planning
It is important to plan this essay and the lines of argument you will take and which you will take as your stance.
3. Introduction:
Introductions are meant to interpret and clarify the topic for the reader and to give them a good idea of where the rest
of the essay is headed. If it does not do this, then it has failed!
You cannot write an introduction until you have planned and written a rough draft. The intro is vital - it creates the good
or bad impression that can remain with the reader! Keep it simple, direct and short (approx. 8 written lines) using the
following formula:
● Start with a background opening sentence (as you can’t just leap right into the topic). This is also known as a
lead in sentence. It is often useful to provide context of the time in history, in this sentence - date, time, place
etc.
● Outline what your argument or response to the topic is, and what areas your essay will cover.
● Make quite clear the position or stance you will be taking in the body of your essay. Do NOT just repeat or
paraphrase the topic (one of the seven deadly essay writing sins!).
● Also, you may need to define or interpret keywords or concepts in the essay topic (where necessary).eg
brinkmanship, or Holocaust.
4. The Body:
The body of your essay has to have these main characteristics: position, reason backed by evidence which is the
analysis/explanation (interpretation). This is where you present your case - convincingly - using the evidence/facts from
your research/notes. And finally, a statement of what your paragraph has proved about the topic. The rules here are: .
• Use the basic structure of a paragraph (see notes below)
• Make sure that all your statements are supported by evidence.
• Use linking words between paragraphs. This may be as simple as using linking words such as: However, nonetheless,
moreover, indeed, of course yet, but, despite this, in addition, secondly, etc.
• Always relate back to the topic - usually at the end of the paragraph (but this can be at the beginning and (if you are
skilled) even in the middle. Failure to do this means you have told a story, not argued.
• Include the alternative viewpoint (where relevant). Do not simple ignore - try to argue against the alternative
argument, but if not, simply acknowledge its existence. You may weave this into your paragraph under themes, examples
a) and b) below
or acknowledge it at the end of your essay c) below.
Weaving into your paragraph examples
