Other tips on IGCSE History skills for Paper 2

Other tips on IGCSE History skills for Paper 2:

20th century core

For the May/June 2013 examination the selected topic for Paper 2 is Topic 1: Were the Peace Treaties of 1919–23 fair?

For the October/November 2013 examination the selected topic for Paper 2 is is Topic 5: How effectively did the USA contain the spread of Communism?

• First read the question(s)
• Then read ALL sources
• Use info from source, but also background knowledge. Answers should focus on the sources supported by knowledge of the bigger picture.
• Always support an answer with examples and explanations.
• Avoid too much knowledge. IT IS ALL ABOUT THE SOURCES AND WHAT THEY MEAN! The examiner is looking for evidence of the use of sources supported by contextual knowledge. Be concise and relevant.
• There are no “right” answers – only well-supported opinions!!!
• However, DO NOT rewrite the source! The examiner is very familiar with it and expects you to interpret it or to use it in order to answer the specific question regarding the source.
• Take the questions in order – using the sources as directed.
• Allow twice as many minutes for each question as there are marks for that question, i.e. allow at least 16 minutes for an 8 mark answer.
• Focus on what is being asked (or suggested).
• Always refer to the ‘source’ of the source, e.g. “A cartoon from a German newspaper of September 1939”, or  “A speech made in Parliament by Winston Churchill”. Refer to bias, propaganda, self interest, etc. This is called the provenance of the source. ALSO mention the relevance of the provenance to the meaning/message/intention of the source.
• Repeat info if necessary: if information is relevant to two questions write it down twice.
• Other sources on the Paper, not mentioned in the question, can be used if they contribute to a better answer.
•  Refer to sources by stating “According to Source C …” or “From Source A it is clear that …”or “Source B mentions…”. Never write an answer to a question without mentioning the source/s that is/are being referred to.
• The last question involves all the sources: take them one by one and formulate an all-inclusive answer to the specific question. The sources used will support two different viewpoints or ‘sit on the fence’. Ensure that the different viewpoints are explained and show how they are supported by the sources. The conclusion reached should be based on the evidence given. This should come at the end.
•  A simple chart might help:

Sources SUPPORTING	Sources AGAINST	Sources that DO NEITHER
A	E	C
D	B	F
		G

1. You can also use high lighters or symbols to indicate the three groups.
2. Try finding other cartoons from the relevant time on the Internet; interpret them and make sure you know who the main role players are, places, circumstances events preceding that event, what the specific references are.
3. For example, source A and source D agree on the fact that ….  You may quote short parts to substantiate the point  Or:  Both source B and source E prove the opposite, (explain what you mean) while sources C, F and G do not support the view that …
4. REMEMBER: you are asked to answer ONE main question. Make sure you keep this question in mind while working through the sources. The sources are to be USED as tools to answer that specific question.
5. AND FINALLY, THE DRAGON:     THE LAST QUESTION

This is the only question that does not change, so it’s the one you can prepare for best of all. The good news is, it’s also worth the most marks! Typically, you will be given a statement and asked to make a comment about it. For example, How far do these sources show that Britain and France were to blame for the Anschluss? Explain your answer:

• Firstly, work out which sources support the statement and which ones don’t AND which sources do neither.
• Secondly, plan to write a balanced answer which clearly addresses both sides of the question.
• Next, simply evaluate the sources and back up your opinions using contextual knowledge.
• Finally, remember to answer the question at the end! In this case, for example, you could say that Britain and France were not to blame, partly to blame, mostly to blame, or totally to blame for the Anschluss, e.g.

Sources which support the statement	Sources which don’t support the statement	Sources that do neither
G, H, I, J	A, C, D, E, F	B

*  The basic rule for this question is that you must always make specific reference to the sources in your answer. That means saying things like ‘Source A supports the statement because …’ and ‘I can trust Source B because …’ Use your contextual knowledge to back up your opinions about the sources and also to fill in the gaps in the story: e.g.:
The sources don’t mention that Britain and France led the League of Nations, which in turn was responsible for upholding the terms of the Treaty of Versailles – and which had forbidden the Anschluss in the first place! 

*Top tip - There are two bonus marks available in this last question for assessing or reassessing the RELIABILITY of some of the sources you are considering! Every year more students lose marks on this part of the paper than any other.

Cartoons

•  Key role players
• Who says what to whom?
•  Why?
• When? Exact date is important – specific circumstances
•  Facial expression / body language / emotion
•  Metaphor / images / puns / figures of speech
• Propaganda
• Other questions