Higher History Mark Schemes for Essays & Sources

Sources: The Union of 1707

  • This mark scheme fits all the questions that you do for the source paper.
  • Note that the easiest thing to do comes first, then the harder things. Check off as you do each thing in your answer.
  • However the examiner will still give you extra marks even if you haven’t done the easier things.
  • NB the sources may not come in the order given below.

Question type / Marks / You must… / For example…
NB: Use a separate paragraph for each new point.
Usefulness
EG:
How useful is Source A…
How valuable is Source B…
How reliable is Source C…
OUT of 5 marks
Take 12 minutes / UseDate: where / when writtento show source is more or less useful.
(Provenance) / Source A is useful because it was written at the time (1707) by Queen Anne, this makes it useful because…
It was written for public / private / to persuade / to tell truth … and so it is useful..
Explain purpose / author= why written
to show source is more/ less useful. / Not useful because Oglivy would have wanted to twist it to in favour of Union so he got his money
Describe content of source -explain what it tells us about the Question / Source A is useful because it tells us that…
Give own knowledge (recall) to say how useful- does it fit with what you know / It tells us that Clerk wanted Union
Quote “It would be great”
5 / Explain what it misses out (limitations) to show how less useful
Conclude: answers Q: is useful overall? / However there are more reasons why it is less useful- it doesn’t mention that…
so overall I think…
Comparison
EG:
To what extent do Sources A and B agree on…
Compare sources A and B…
Does A support B…
Take 12 minutes / Answer Q with overall agree / disagree / Source A largely agrees with Source B that the Union was good for Scotland
Quote to prove (repeat x3) / It shows how the IVF was set up
Point out ways they agree or disagree / On the issue of economic benefits Source A agrees with Source B because it says… and Source B also says…
Point out ways they agree and disagree / However they disagree about trade because Source B says and Source A …
5 / Explain why they are different (add in own knowledge)
Come to conclusion overall: agree? / They disagree because Source A was written by the English , who wanted Union, but…
Overall they agree on more things…
NB there will be two 10 mark ‘Context: 1 source’ questions.
How fully…
EG:
How fully does A explain…
How far does Source C illustrate…
Take 22 minutes for both Qs / Describes what source says / Source C does answer the question to some extent, but it misses out key points on…
Explains what this means (up to 5 marks) / Source C mentions “money paid to Scotland by England”- this refers to…
Use own knowledge to give context / explain what’s missing so can: / This money was crucial because…
Use own knowledge / what’s missing to give ways you agree or disagree with source (need 5 points) / However the source doesn’t mention another crucial factor which was…
10 / Give examples from own knowledge so can conclude / Overall I think that the source does explain…

How to write a good essay: Ireland & Russia

  1. Plan first- decide the 4-5 main points to answer the question
  2. Write the starter sentences of each paragraph
  3. Choose evidence that you are going to use
  4. Make sure you answer the question

Essay Mark Scheme

You must / Higher Marks / Int 2 Marks
  • Give basic answer to the question
  • Have some relevant knowledge
  • 1-2 reasons given to answer the question
/ 1-9
Grade
D / 1-3
4 C
  • Answer the question- particularly in conclusion
  • Organise in paragraphs: intro, conclusion
  • Give 3-4 relevant reasons to answer the question
  • Give 1-2 relevant examples to support reasons
/ 10-12
C / 5-6 B
7-8 A
  • Cover all the main points of the answer (usually 4-5 reasons)
  • Support all these with relevant examples
  • Explain which reasons are more important (ranks)
/ 13-16
B
  • Answer the question in each paragraph.
  • Write in a fluent, coherent manner. Have a clear argument yourself from the start.
  • (Include historians’ opinions to support your argument- not required but good)
  • Come to a decision at end of paragraphs as to which side you choose
  • Link paragraphs together to conclude- dealing with less important reasons as well as more important
  • Be in full control of arguments for and against your point, and deal with opposing arguments- giving their evidence and dealing with it.
/ 17-20
A
Layout of the essay:
How far do you agree that PenicuikHigh School is the best in town?
What you must do: / For Example:
Introduction:
Sets context
Gives main points to answer the question
Suggests a conclusion /

There are two High Schools in Penicuik and for the last 30 years there has been much discussion as to which is better.

There are four main areas of competition: the uniform, the timing of the school day, the food and the exam results.
I shall be showing that Penicuik High wins on at least three out of the four and so overall is clearly better.
3-5 Paragraphs for your point
Statement- answers the question
Example- fact that proves the Statement
Explain – explain how the fact proves your Statement /

My first reason why Penicuik High is better is its exceptional food.

The BiteSite is famous across Scotland for its fine burgers and sandwiches. Moreover these are sold for less than £2 each.
This means that high quality food is sold cheaply- and it is well known that students do far better if they are well nourished, so Penicuik high is clearly better than the other place.
+ Paragraphs against your point (Higher more than Int 2)
S.E.E as before
Weigh up the evidence to decide overall / However there is some evidence that the other High school also has good food.
For example they have been known to serve salads.
Salads make students less fat, so this would make that school better. However no-one buys the salads except teachers- so this doesn’t count.
Conclusion
Links paragraphs
Decides the answer to the Q- which is most important? / The good food supplied by PenicuikHigh school links to its excellent exam results.
So overall I think that Penicuik High is indeed the best school – principally because of its great food.

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