Another way of thinking about criteria for A Level History essays

[@sukhesh7]

Hi, in history essays for GCSE are you supposed to set a clear criteria in your introduction and then use this to justify why it's true that one factor is the most important and why this isn't true for the others, and kind of stick rigidly to this 'rule' to help you reach a justified conclusion. Or is it also good to demonstrate in the summaries of the less important paragraphs how different perspectives and criterias could be applied to make this the most important. The problem is, if you do the latter, although you are showing a greater appreciation of multiple angles, it makes it hard to write a well explained conclusion because now you are picking between which criteria is best rather than which is best suited to an initial criteria, however if you only offer one criteria does the essay not become repetitive - but of course if that's what the examiners want I wouldn't mind?

[@mrgunnhistory]

At GCSE the main thing is to have a clear explanation of why your argument/factor is more important than the others. It’s good to set this out in an intro but I don’t think the expectation is for answers at GCSE to be as analytical as A Level. In terms of changing criteria in paragraphs, the main thing is to be able to explain why other factors are important - you don’t need new criteria to do this. Summaries are really useful though and will help you weigh up the relative importance of each factor, which you then reiterate and fully summaries in your conclusion. I hope that helps.

[@sukhesh7]

@@mrgunnhistory thank you for clarifying👍

[@joshuapratt9349]

Thank you for this video. I often tell my students to develop criteria led paragraphs to make them more analytical. For example in our British experience of Warfare paper we have breadth questions about the most significant army reforms and rather than approaching it in a narrative way i.e. Duke of York's reforms, Cardwell's reforms, Haldane's reforms and then making a judgement, I encourage them to identify criteria for significance e.g. it was the most long lasting and then explore all the reforms under this criteria. Is this valid?

[@mrgunnhistory]

Thanks for the comment. Yes, that makes sense - I call that the 'thematic approach', which can also be a useful way to break down questions that are comparing two factors or two time periods. I hope that helps and best of luck to your students!

[@PaigeDavis-McCluskie]

Hi, do you think you could do a video where you look at past paper questions for Russia and the Stuarts and form criteria them?

[@mrgunnhistory]

Hi, I don't do Russia I'm afraid but here is a past paper walk through for the Stuart course; Part 1; kzbin.info/www/bejne/qWXMmolmf6ale9k Part 2; kzbin.info/www/bejne/rqvXZaSIptKBjbs Here is a video on criteria generally; kzbin.info/www/bejne/m3O2aYaojtJ0a6c Here is a video on generic criteria for different question types that may be helpful; kzbin.info/www/bejne/foqqpXSCiNGJh8U I hope that helps!

[@oliviadutta3206]

Hi, I was making predicted essay plans with possible questions and was wondering if you would be able to tell me if did establish a criteria for this question: “To what extent was the treatment of minorities in Weimar Germany, 1918-32, and the FRG, 1945-89 similar?” Criteria: “The treatment of ethnic minorities in both the FRG and Weimar can be said to be similar as minorities were protected by the law to some extent under both governments. However, public perception of minorities varied greatly as a result of the varying economic and social circumstances of the time” I would then go on to talk about how Weimar Germany was more extreme in opposition compared to the FRG, but I wasn’t sure if I make a brief statement about it in my introduction after my public perception sentence. Thank you!

[@mrgunnhistory]

Yes, that sounds good to me. Remember that criteria = the basis for your argument. As long as you explain why your argument is the case you have created criteria! I hope that helps and good luck with it all.

[@oliviadutta3206]

@@mrgunnhistory thank you!

[@Zainab-ud7mk]

Hi, could you please explain ‘relative significance’ before the first exam? It would be really helpful - I’m struggling to figure out where i would discuss it within the paragraphs. Also, do we judge the relative significance based on the 3 pieces of evidence in each paragraph, saying which of those 3 are most significant? Or is relative significance judged by the 3/4 points that make up the essay, thank you!

[@mrgunnhistory]

Hi, thanks for the comment. In terms of relative significance, this means weighing up the importance of the factor in comparison to the factor in the question (and other factors). The best place to do this is in the summaries at the end of each paragraph (you will also fully explain this in your conclusion). You use your criteria to do this. Think of it like this; Question: How far was X the most important factor? P1 - X P2 - Y (compare to X in summary) P3 - Z (compare to X in summary) Conclusion - was X the most important? If so, why? If not, why was something else more important I hope that helps!

[@Zainab-ud7mk]

Thank you very much!

[@Idk-ku4bd]

do predicted questions for the Britain paper maybe?

[@mrgunnhistory]

I'm planning on doing a KZbin live Q&A revision session on Sunday 19th at 8pm and will discuss some ideas then.

[@olliolliolli7248]

is this for british experience of warfare?

[@mrgunnhistory]

@@olliolliolli7248 It's for Britain 1625-1701 sorry!

[@hh-bb2zw]

hi Sir, could you please explain how to answer questions that call for a for and against structure? I'm very confident with a multi-factorial approach, but I struggle with these. How are you supposed to establish criteria for them or do analysis if you are not comparing their weight in relation to other factors?

[@mrgunnhistory]

Do you have a specific question in mind? Let me know and I’ll try to help!

[@hh-bb2zw]

@@mrgunnhistory Thank you- its this question: 'The system of apartheid was never seriously challenged by the ANC in the years 1948-68.'

[@mrgunnhistory]

@@hh-bb2zw Hi, I would break down the issue in question (in this case 'the system of apartheid') into three areas, which would each then become a paragraph and weigh up the extent to which the ANC 'seriously challenged' them. I don't teach this paper but it could be something like legal rights, popular support and international support (perhaps!). I call this the thematic approach to essay writing. Essentially your criteria becomes your paragraphs. Alternatively (and much more straightforward), you could always pinpoint three events/actions of the ANC across the period and assess the extent to which those 'seriously challenged' the system of apartheid. I hope that helps!

[@hh-bb2zw]

@@mrgunnhistory Oh ok, so you would basically need to weigh each paragraph by itself, finding strengths and limitations of their challenge, for example. I just get worried with these types of questions because I find it harder to tell whether I've evaluated enough or not, whereas, for the factor ones, the judgement at the end of the paragraph, comparing it to other factors is more obvious. But thank you, this has cleared things up!

[@mrgunnhistory]

@@hh-bb2zw Yep, that's it. Happy to help!

[@Lubimimiski]

Hii may I know if criteria will help in achieving top marks for a different exam board? Cuz I’m under the Cambridge assessment board and I’m wondering if the same rule applies

[@mrgunnhistory]

Generally I think it will be a useful way to develop arguments and substantiate judgements whether or not criteria is specifically mentioned. I hope that helps and best of luck with it all.

[@Lubimimiski]

@@mrgunnhistory thanks a Lott! I have another question regarding argument-based essays. I've been taught that it is essential to form two paragraphs for the most important factor alone and to explain another 2 significant factors, but I'm worried I'll run out of time. Do you think it is necessary to write two paragraphs for the most important factor?

[@mrgunnhistory]

Two paragraphs on the most important factor definitely works but (as you say) timing can be tricky trying to write four paragraphs (plus intro and conclusion). For that reason I always suggest three paragraphs- one on the question and two others.

[@Lubimimiski]

@@mrgunnhistory thanks! also, (sorry for bombarding you with questions:) if the mark scheme mentions that it wants a sustained argument, does it mean that I have to counter all of my arguments and come to a small conclusion at the end of each paragraph whether the factor is significant or not? I find the format you provided to be less confusing, but I saw others mentioning that it should be done this way and I'm worried I might get it wrong

[@mrgunnhistory]

@@Lubimimiski Hi, I suggest having summaries at the end of each paragraph (you can think of these as mini-conclusions). Use these summaries to summarise the factor you have discussed in the paragraph and compare that factor with the factor in the question. You should also have a clear line of argument running throughout the whole essay, which is fully justified in the conclusion. I hope that all makes sense - I think I cover this in my longer video on exam technique too; kzbin.info/www/bejne/j6nFaYWifLiJZ7ssi=O4L7y6YHVV-RHAWV