Post by Mr Modica on Sept 26, 2015 20:04:54 GMT
How to answer source questions.
The most common question starters:
What can you learn about ………………… from source A?
Make inferences from the source and back it up with knowledge from the period.
How reliable is the source as evidence for …………………?
Think about whether the source is typical of what you know of the period. Prove or disprove what is in the source with your own knowledge or one of the other sources.
How useful is this source as evidence about ……………?
Explain what the source does tell you. Explain what the source has missed out. Think about who wrote it and why. Cross reference to own knowledge or another source.
How far does source A support/refute source B?
Explain similarities and differences. Use information from the sources or your own knowledge. Come to a conclusion.
How useful is source A to an historian?
Explain what it contains and explain what is missing. Consider who wrote it and why. All sources are useful in some way, they may just show a very specific point of view. Cross reference to your own knowledge or other sources to prove your point. Read the caption and think about who wrote it.
Why was source A published in ………?
Explain what was happening at the time and why the source backs this up. Think about the point of view of the author.
Does this source prove that ……………?
Compare specific information in the source to contextual knowledge or another source.
Are you surprised by what source A says?
Make sure you start with ‘I am/not surprised’. Explain what is surprising and what is not. Use knowledge of the period to back it up.
Why does source A and B say such different things about ………………?
Specific knowledge or use of another source to explain why each source says what it does.
Study all the sources. How far do they support the view that ……………?
Use all the sources. Mention facts from them and the source by letter or they don’t count. Explain both sides of the argument and come to a conclusion. If you mention the reliability of the source you get an extra mark.
These question types are not exam board specific, make sure you look at your course booklets for our specific source paper.
The most common question starters:
What can you learn about ………………… from source A?
Make inferences from the source and back it up with knowledge from the period.
How reliable is the source as evidence for …………………?
Think about whether the source is typical of what you know of the period. Prove or disprove what is in the source with your own knowledge or one of the other sources.
How useful is this source as evidence about ……………?
Explain what the source does tell you. Explain what the source has missed out. Think about who wrote it and why. Cross reference to own knowledge or another source.
How far does source A support/refute source B?
Explain similarities and differences. Use information from the sources or your own knowledge. Come to a conclusion.
How useful is source A to an historian?
Explain what it contains and explain what is missing. Consider who wrote it and why. All sources are useful in some way, they may just show a very specific point of view. Cross reference to your own knowledge or other sources to prove your point. Read the caption and think about who wrote it.
Why was source A published in ………?
Explain what was happening at the time and why the source backs this up. Think about the point of view of the author.
Does this source prove that ……………?
Compare specific information in the source to contextual knowledge or another source.
Are you surprised by what source A says?
Make sure you start with ‘I am/not surprised’. Explain what is surprising and what is not. Use knowledge of the period to back it up.
Why does source A and B say such different things about ………………?
Specific knowledge or use of another source to explain why each source says what it does.
Study all the sources. How far do they support the view that ……………?
Use all the sources. Mention facts from them and the source by letter or they don’t count. Explain both sides of the argument and come to a conclusion. If you mention the reliability of the source you get an extra mark.
These question types are not exam board specific, make sure you look at your course booklets for our specific source paper.