"Evaluate the usefulness..." question - Course assessment - Higher History Revision - BBC Bitesize (2024)

FAQs

How to get evaluation marks higher history? ›

Evaluation – 4 Marks

Evaluation marks are given when you support your argument with new evidence you have not yet discussed in analysis/KU. You must also compare 1 factor to another. To be awarded marks for E1/2 you must: Make a judgment on the importance of a factor (very important/ somewhat important)

Your answer requires a clear judgement e.g. '… explains to an extent'. Source points selected (quote directly from the source or paraphrase) should be supported by a detailed explanation clearly linked to the question.

20 mark questions are essay style questions and should be answered in continuous prose and paragraphs. You should take around 25 – 30 minutes to answer these questions and contain between 3 and 4 paragraphs as well as an introduction and conclusion.

Choose source points first (quote or paraphrase from the source ) and the quote should be supported by a detailed explanation clearly linked to the question. Choose up to 2 points from the source. Include your own knowledge which should be linked to the question.

How useful is (source) to a historian studying... (8 marks) This type of question assesses your analysis of a source, based on its content, its origin and your contextual knowledge of the topic. The source will focus on one of the four key sections of the subject specification.

Step 1: Explain why the source IS useful as evidence about X, using contextual knowledge and cross-reference to other sources, if possible. Step 2: Explain why the source IS NOT useful as evidence about X, using contextual knowledge and cross-reference to other sources, if possible.

When answering a 7 mark question it is important to remember to give three well explained points. So find a point in the source, then develop it making sure you pull information from the source not just from your knowledge of the topic.

Each section (essay) is worth 22 marks and requires an introduction for historical context and a conclusion.

Instructions for candidates

This assessment applies to the assignment for Higher History. This assignment is worth 30 marks.

Evaluate factors against each other and make comparisons. Some phrases you could try to include are: 'this was the most important factor because…' 'this was more important in the long-term', 'this factor triggered another factor…'.

How to write a conclusion in Higher history? ›

Summarise the main points

In the conclusion, you should not simply repeat what you have said in the rest of the essay, but aim to reinforce these key ideas by briefly summarising your main points. One way to do this is to look back at all the topic sentences.

You should make a point, back it up with evidence, then explain what this evidence shows. For top marks you need to evaluate these points, but show that your argument is stronger. Finally, finish with a conclusion. This is where you summarise your argument without adding any new points, and give a final answer.

So, the most important thing is your judgement, and them you should plan 3 points which can help you to argue in favour of this. In each point, relevant dates should be added into your plan (your plans can help you to revise the dates you should know!) as well as pieces of historical evidence which could help.

You should make a point, back it up with evidence, then explain what this evidence shows. For top marks you need to evaluate these points, but show that your argument is stronger. Finally, finish with a conclusion. This is where you summarise your argument without adding any new points, and give a final answer.