,
,Stronger answers clearly understood the importance of identifying the
appropriate second order concept that was being targeted by the
question. A minority of candidates, often otherwise knowledgeable,
wanted to focus on causes and engage in a main factor/other factors
approach, even where this did not necessarily address the demands of
the conceptual focus. Candidates in the main were able to apply their
knowledge and understanding in a manner suited to the different
demands of questions in these two sections, in terms of the greater
depth of knowledge required where Section A questions targeted a
shorter-period, as compared to the more careful selection generally
required for the Section B questions covering a broader timespan.
Higher level responses are often based on brief plans that offer a logical structure for the
analysis. They identify three or four themes and points for and against the proposition.
EXAMPLE:
How far was government control maintained from Lenin to Stalin’s regime? (+ and - for
both)
BOTH USED TERROR FOR MASS CONTROL HOWEVER STALIN HAD NKVD WHICH
ENCOMPASSED THE LEGAL INSTITUTION
BOTH CONTROLLED OPPOSITION SUCH AS LENIN HAD OPPOSITION NEWSPAPER SHUT
DOWN AND STALIN HAD PURGES HOWEVER STALIN ELIMINATED THREATS TO POWER-
, Intro: Quote, Explain the matter of the question (policy/industry). Then address the factors
driving the paragraphs. Come to judgement
Para 1: Point, evidence, explain (x2). Add counter/link to other factor and refute before coming to
judgement.
Para 2: Analysis is made of claim and justification
Conclusion: Acknowledge other arguments with some substantiation/counter and re-assert
judgement and fundamental reason why. Without... (e.g had Krushchev and Brezhnev’s approach
been truly similar, the policies would be more reminsicent of a continued Stalinist/stangnant
system therefore both were indeed fundamentally different).
Claim + justification
Therefore the Soviet economy was transformed radically following 1928 due to the introduction
of the Five Year Plans because the command economy abolished the free market in industry.
SUSTAIN: Could mean there was less incentive to work because of no free market/increased
falsification of data and waste because of command economy.
PARAGRAPH: Address the factor in the question 1st.
1) Make argumentative point clear (is is therefore most accurate to say the purge did indeed
contribute to Stalin’s control over the state.)
2)Give knowledge to support argumentative point (The purge enabled Stalin to excercise control
over the people, army and political party.)
3) Analyse this knowledge in detail in relation to the question (he created a weak politburo which
was successful because they became subservient to his commands therefore making his own
position more secure in all manners of policy and influence. Without the purge of politically
strong members of government, he may have faced threats from within the party from the
equally powerful such as Bukharin).
4) Repeat for another piece of knowledge with analysis (SUSTAINED ANALYSIS)
5) Pick apart wording of the question exactly so the answer refers to the point at hand. (It is
entirely accurate to say therefore that the Purge contributed most to Stalin’s control over the
state since it enabled him to spread indirect influence across the council and was an excuse to rid
,Stronger answers clearly understood the importance of identifying the
appropriate second order concept that was being targeted by the
question. A minority of candidates, often otherwise knowledgeable,
wanted to focus on causes and engage in a main factor/other factors
approach, even where this did not necessarily address the demands of
the conceptual focus. Candidates in the main were able to apply their
knowledge and understanding in a manner suited to the different
demands of questions in these two sections, in terms of the greater
depth of knowledge required where Section A questions targeted a
shorter-period, as compared to the more careful selection generally
required for the Section B questions covering a broader timespan.
Higher level responses are often based on brief plans that offer a logical structure for the
analysis. They identify three or four themes and points for and against the proposition.
EXAMPLE:
How far was government control maintained from Lenin to Stalin’s regime? (+ and - for
both)
BOTH USED TERROR FOR MASS CONTROL HOWEVER STALIN HAD NKVD WHICH
ENCOMPASSED THE LEGAL INSTITUTION
BOTH CONTROLLED OPPOSITION SUCH AS LENIN HAD OPPOSITION NEWSPAPER SHUT
DOWN AND STALIN HAD PURGES HOWEVER STALIN ELIMINATED THREATS TO POWER-
, Intro: Quote, Explain the matter of the question (policy/industry). Then address the factors
driving the paragraphs. Come to judgement
Para 1: Point, evidence, explain (x2). Add counter/link to other factor and refute before coming to
judgement.
Para 2: Analysis is made of claim and justification
Conclusion: Acknowledge other arguments with some substantiation/counter and re-assert
judgement and fundamental reason why. Without... (e.g had Krushchev and Brezhnev’s approach
been truly similar, the policies would be more reminsicent of a continued Stalinist/stangnant
system therefore both were indeed fundamentally different).
Claim + justification
Therefore the Soviet economy was transformed radically following 1928 due to the introduction
of the Five Year Plans because the command economy abolished the free market in industry.
SUSTAIN: Could mean there was less incentive to work because of no free market/increased
falsification of data and waste because of command economy.
PARAGRAPH: Address the factor in the question 1st.
1) Make argumentative point clear (is is therefore most accurate to say the purge did indeed
contribute to Stalin’s control over the state.)
2)Give knowledge to support argumentative point (The purge enabled Stalin to excercise control
over the people, army and political party.)
3) Analyse this knowledge in detail in relation to the question (he created a weak politburo which
was successful because they became subservient to his commands therefore making his own
position more secure in all manners of policy and influence. Without the purge of politically
strong members of government, he may have faced threats from within the party from the
equally powerful such as Bukharin).
4) Repeat for another piece of knowledge with analysis (SUSTAINED ANALYSIS)
5) Pick apart wording of the question exactly so the answer refers to the point at hand. (It is
entirely accurate to say therefore that the Purge contributed most to Stalin’s control over the
state since it enabled him to spread indirect influence across the council and was an excuse to rid
