The Basics
Before you start answering a Paper 2, spend between 5 and 10 minutes reading the background information and the sources. This will do two things:
When you do answer any source question, remember:
When you first look at a source, evaluate it using OPVL. This will provide a focus for your reading and your thinking. It will make anytime spent reading more efficient, ultimately saving you time for writing.
Before looking at the content of the source, look at the who the author is, when it was written and why it was written (Origins and Purpose- Provenance). Also consider the context. From your own knowledge, what events were going on that might have affected the content of the source? How might this affect your evaluation?
For Cartoons
Cartoons are forms of satire. They use comedy to make a serious point. With cartoons, after evaluating the origins and purpose, identify the character(s) who look silly. They are the subject of ridicule. Theses characters are the targets of the criticism by cartoonists. Anything these characters say is therefore sarcastic or ironic.
Context is also especially important with cartoons as it helps you identify what the cartoonist is commenting about. Finally, having done all this, you need to identify the message of the cartoon. What is the cartoonist trying to say?
Before you start answering a Paper 2, spend between 5 and 10 minutes reading the background information and the sources. This will do two things:
- Provide you with a focus of the paper (what the questions will be about- e.g. why did Khrushchev place missiles on Cuba?)
- Jog your memories in terms of content
When you do answer any source question, remember:
- Place emphasis on using your source skills first before adding content to support your arguments
- OPVL- Origins, Purpose, Values and Limitations. The values and limitations of any source should be based on its origins and purpose. Source evaluation should primarily be focused on this, before content.
When you first look at a source, evaluate it using OPVL. This will provide a focus for your reading and your thinking. It will make anytime spent reading more efficient, ultimately saving you time for writing.
Before looking at the content of the source, look at the who the author is, when it was written and why it was written (Origins and Purpose- Provenance). Also consider the context. From your own knowledge, what events were going on that might have affected the content of the source? How might this affect your evaluation?
For Cartoons
Cartoons are forms of satire. They use comedy to make a serious point. With cartoons, after evaluating the origins and purpose, identify the character(s) who look silly. They are the subject of ridicule. Theses characters are the targets of the criticism by cartoonists. Anything these characters say is therefore sarcastic or ironic.
Context is also especially important with cartoons as it helps you identify what the cartoonist is commenting about. Finally, having done all this, you need to identify the message of the cartoon. What is the cartoonist trying to say?
Who are the subjects of ridicule?
Hitler and the 'spineless leaders of democracy'
What is the cartoonist commenting about? The British and French policy of Appeasement
What is the message of the cartoon? That the British and French are allowing Hitler to 'walk all over them on a range of issues such as (read the rug rolled out on their backs) rearmament and the remilitarization of the Rhineland. The cartoonists is hinting that this could lead to war.
For autobiographies/memoirs (written sources)
These are usually trying to 'sell' a point of view- the author's. As they are written from memory, the closer they are written to the event they are discussing, the more accurate and reliable they are. They can be biased (limitation), however if they criticize something you find surprising (for example a US soldier criticizing US tactics in Vietnam), they could be considered more reliable (value). They had a good reason to be biased, yet chose not to be. This could make them more honest and truthful as they had nothing to gain personally.
Historical Textbooks
This usually are Source A's of Paper 2's. They are neutral and balanced. They are good for you to read to gain further information and jog your memory for content- especially for the essay questions. The further away from an event that they are written, the more reliable they are as they then have benefit of research. This is particularly true for events concerning the Soviet Union. Anything written after 1991 would have had access to Soviet archives.
Useful tips about sources from politicians
Whenever a politician is speaking in public, he or she is trying to win public support for something. Remember, their number one priority is to stay in power. To do this, they need to win votes. This can make these sources unreliable as they are saying what they think the audience want to hear.
Therefore, any private memos or letters from politicians can be more reliable as usually they are being more honest. They are not trying to win over an audience.
Tips about questions
Any question that asks you to study two sources first is usually asking you to evaluate these sources and compare them (on some level). Remember- compare according to OPVL first, then support with content and your own knowledge.
For essay questions, you should plan to write it like a normal essay. It should be a balanced response that answers both sides of the question. Support with evidence from the source, then you own knowledge. If you only use the sources, or only use your own knowledge, the most you can get in 5 out of 12. To get full marks, you also need to include at least 2 source evaluations (OPVL- 2 sentences max .)
What is the cartoonist commenting about? The British and French policy of Appeasement
What is the message of the cartoon? That the British and French are allowing Hitler to 'walk all over them on a range of issues such as (read the rug rolled out on their backs) rearmament and the remilitarization of the Rhineland. The cartoonists is hinting that this could lead to war.
For autobiographies/memoirs (written sources)
These are usually trying to 'sell' a point of view- the author's. As they are written from memory, the closer they are written to the event they are discussing, the more accurate and reliable they are. They can be biased (limitation), however if they criticize something you find surprising (for example a US soldier criticizing US tactics in Vietnam), they could be considered more reliable (value). They had a good reason to be biased, yet chose not to be. This could make them more honest and truthful as they had nothing to gain personally.
Historical Textbooks
This usually are Source A's of Paper 2's. They are neutral and balanced. They are good for you to read to gain further information and jog your memory for content- especially for the essay questions. The further away from an event that they are written, the more reliable they are as they then have benefit of research. This is particularly true for events concerning the Soviet Union. Anything written after 1991 would have had access to Soviet archives.
Useful tips about sources from politicians
Whenever a politician is speaking in public, he or she is trying to win public support for something. Remember, their number one priority is to stay in power. To do this, they need to win votes. This can make these sources unreliable as they are saying what they think the audience want to hear.
Therefore, any private memos or letters from politicians can be more reliable as usually they are being more honest. They are not trying to win over an audience.
Tips about questions
Any question that asks you to study two sources first is usually asking you to evaluate these sources and compare them (on some level). Remember- compare according to OPVL first, then support with content and your own knowledge.
For essay questions, you should plan to write it like a normal essay. It should be a balanced response that answers both sides of the question. Support with evidence from the source, then you own knowledge. If you only use the sources, or only use your own knowledge, the most you can get in 5 out of 12. To get full marks, you also need to include at least 2 source evaluations (OPVL- 2 sentences max .)