‘The study of History is the beginning of wisdom’

HOW TO ENSURE AT LEAST 14 OUT OF 20 ON AN I.B HISTORY ESSAY PAPER 2 and PAPER 3

The following instructions act as a guide to writing a well-structured history essay. Remember that 28 /40 (2 essays of this standard) will put you in level 7 territory for paper 2. Do the simple things well. Examiners want to see structure- followed by depth of knowledge. Keep to a consistent structure and you will be into double figures for your essays.

Key features of a top essay

1) Show that you have understood the question. 2) Consider most of the implications of the question. 3) Use a structured framework which uses analysis rather than

narrative. 4) Use the appropriate level of detail- POINT- EXPLAIN-EXAMPLE

Things to avoid

Pure narrative- storytelling Kitchen sink approach- everything in Generalizations in factual knowledge- ‘there were a lot of casualties

during world war one’.

Introduction

Unpack the essay question- show that you understand what you have to do and the factors involved.

Key words that may need defining- e.g. superpowers / ideological difference / main aims.

Watch the dates of your question.

Sample phrase ‘ There are many reasons why…….. For example / Most importantly…..

Identify the central argument that you wish to put forward.

Use your introduction to set out the other themes / criteria /factors that will need to be considered to reach a final judgment.

ABOVE ALL HERE this is an opportunity to show the MULTI CAUSAL nature of history- show that you understand the demands of the question- in other words- identify reasons / causes / consequences- and an awareness of the relative importance of these.

Sample introductions

Identifies that there are lots of reasons- elaborates on some of them

What was the question title for question 15?

MAIN BODY

WORK FACTOR BY FACTOR

If you go for a thematic approach you are again likely to put yourself into the 11- 13 band immediately.

Likely Questions and Approaches for Paper 2

Essay Type Approach How do I structure my essay?

Analyse the main reasons why Hitler rose to power

THEMATIC- FACTORS

SOCIAL / POLITICAL / ECONOMIC / MILITARY/ CONCLUSION – most important

In what ways and with what results was propaganda used by one leader of a single party state?

THEMATIC- two part ‘Jack and Jill’ Alternatively could be reasons / results

MAIN REASONS MAIN RESULTS Could use P/ E/ S / M within this structure Conclusion- most important reason / biggest result

Compare and contrast the influence of Korea and Cuba on the Cold War

COMPARE AND CONTRAST Similarities and differences

Avoid the sequential account- need to cross reference- discuss the two areas together. Could go for social / political / economic / as a structure.

To what extent was ideology the main cause of the Cold War?

JUDGEMENT Consider a factor or an interpretation

Still essentially a factors based approach Consider the factor of the question Consider the other factors / counter argument CONCLUSION- MAKE A JUDGEMENT- how far do you agree?

An approach to paragraphs- POINT – EXPLAIN - EXAMPLE

MAIN POINT- One of the main reasons for Hitler having propaganda was to promote Nazi ideology to all Germans

EXPLAIN- Nazi ideology emphasized extreme nationalism and anti semitism

EXAMPLE- It was therefore important that propaganda spread this message to young people. For example school textbooks were re written to emphasise Nazi values.

How would you improve the above POINT- EXPLAIN- EXAMPLE?

How well does the candidate develop one factor here?

WRITING CONCLUSIONS

MAKE SURE YOU ALWAYS WRITE A CONCLUSION- EVEN IF IT IS ONLY- IN CONCLUSION……

Answer the question. Show how the different factors are linked together. If ‘to what extent’ – make a judgment- how far… Level 7 candidates may ‘challenge’ the underlying assumptions of

the question.

Sample Conclusions

A SKELETON PLAN FOR USE ON ANY HISTORY ESSAY- AIMING TO WRITE AT LEAST FOUR SIDES

STRUCTURE!

INTRODUCTION- WHERE YOU START TO ANSWER THE QUESTION

REMEMBER: UNPACK - KEY WORDS- MAIN ARGUMENT- OTHER REASONS- TIME SCALE

There are many reasons why……. used…..

By the word / phrase…… we mean……..

Most importantly the policy of ……………….

This led to a number of results such as………………..

This essay will argue that…………….

There were of course other reasons namely ……….., …………., ………… and

MAIN BODY- WHERE YOU DEVELOP THE ANSWER IN MORE DETAIL

REMEMBER- THEMATIC ALWAYS BEATS NARRATIVE EVERY TIME

Between 5-7 Paragraphs on the different factors

POINT- Clearly ideology was a factor in the origins of the Cold War

EXPLAIN / EXAMPLE This is supported by orthodox historians who say…….

EXPLAIN / EXAMPLE This is also supported by the events in the last year of the war….

Specific detail rather than generalisations

For example……..

LINKING SENTENCE to next point or paragraph Of course ideology was closely linked to territorial concerns by both sides…..

CONCLUSION- WHERE YOU FINISH ANSWERING THE QUESTION

Overall…..

Make a judgment- deal with ‘to what extent’ if appropriate

Identify the most important factor for something happening.