how to write a 12 mark history essay gcse

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GCSE History Essay Techniques

GCSE History essays are difficult. For many students taking GCSE History, how to structure your GCSE History essays and source responses are often the most challenging parts of the course. Learning core facts and remembering key dates for the GCSE History course are relatively straightforward. Analysing and evaluating the importance of various factors, reasons and causes are a lot more difficult and these skills take time to develop.

Below are some templates of how to structure your GCSE History essays and source based questions (N.B. the suggested timings may vary between exam boards, but the structure will remain the same).

What can you learn from source X about…..?

You need to make  two inferences , explained and supported with quotes if a written source or select details if it is a picture. Spend about 6 minutes on this 4 mark question

Describe how…..This is a describe / key features question

You need to make at least two statements that are well supported by own knowledge and presented in separate paragraphs. Say “Firstly….” then “Secondly…” Spend about 8 minutes on this 6 mark question

“Explain the effects of…” This is a consequence question

You need to clearly explain two or more consequences that are set out in separate paragraphs and are supported by well selected and relevant own knowledge. Show links between the consequences for full marks and assess the extent of change. How much of an impact did it have? Spend about 12 minutes on this 8 mark question

“How did X change between….” This is a change or development question.

You need to explain  two or more changes  that developed something or affected something, showing how one led to the other for full marks. You need to support your answer by bringing in your own knowledge and that you put each change in a separate paragraph. It is crucial that in your answer you refer to what the situation was like  before  to make it clear to the examiner that you understand what changed. Spend about 12 minutes on this 8 mark question

For further details about GCSE preparation, GCSE History essays, GCSE mock exams, GCSE Revision Booster courses or private tuition bespoke to your requirements, please contact us .

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A Guide to Standard Grade History: Essay Writing

A Step-by-Step Guide to Writing Essays in

Standard Grade History*

A Brief Guide

The Essays: Information

The essays at Standard Grade are worth eight marks. You may hear them being referred to as “8 Markers” or “8 Mark essays”. They contribute to your Knowledge and Understanding mark, and they will be in one of the three different contexts in the paper. You will be given a choice of two different questions.

What will the question be?

It is almost impossible to tell. I managed to predict the correct context AND question, but only out of sheer luck. They are designed to push you, and make sure that you know the course inside out. If you ever progress to Higher, you will find this is mostly the case as well.

How are the marks awarded?

Well, like so:

• One mark for a reasonable introduction (1)
• A mark for each coherent point. (Ie, not just any old drivel) (6)
• One mark for a balanced conclusion. (1)

In order to achieve the full eight marks, you must meet the criteria above.

What do I do if I can’t answer the question?

Write down as much as you can that springs to mind. If you can make a decent introduction, you’ve already got a mark. Quite frankly, it would be rare if you didn’t know ANYTHING about the questions. Remember, this isn’t a test of your english skills, it’s a test of how much of the standard grade history course you know and can apply.

The essays have a really simple structure. It merely consists of an introduction, six essay points and then the conclusion. But, here we will go through step-by-step of the essay structure, to ensure that you know what to do.

Let’s assume that we are answering the 2008 essay question for this guide: “ (ii) Explain the impact upon people’s lives of immigration into Scotland”

Introduction

In the introduction, you always have to include the following:

• A very stubble reference to the question, which means basically including the question. Briefly summarise what you are going to answer.
• Background information on the topic at hand. You don’t need to write a whole story of “how it was before then”, just a brief summary.

So, here is a introduction that I have written up that would be deemed as appropriate for the essay:

Life in Scotland was very different before masses of people started immigrating to Scotland. There was a lack of culture variety but, much more jobs were free and available for Scots . There were both positive and negative impacts that this had on the Scottish people, and the immigrants themselves.

This is a preview of the whole essay

Short, simple and varied. If you have the ability to balance out your essay with both positive and negative aspects about the subject at hand (given that it’s in the right context), then you will surely get full marks.

Essay Points

This is probably the hardest bit of the essay, but you’ll surprised how simple it actually is. This is where you have to recall your own knowledge, put it into essay form and more importantly, answer the question.

I’ve found that the following little formula helps:

For each point (paragraph) in your essay, I suggest you write in the following format:

• (Joining word) These are good for liking up your essay. Things like: Firstly, secondly, moreover, furthermore, on the other hand, also, but, to further this point, in conclusion, lastly…these make your essay seem a lot more professional.
• Point . When you start your paragraph, basically just say what happened/what formed/who done whatever. No waffle needed. Also, you must referrer to the question at some point in the essay!
• Back-up/Evaluation . Why did that (your point) change peoples lives? Did it lead on to something else? How effective was it? Do you have any evidence? It’s not really enough to just tell a story of what happened, it’s much better to back up your point with some evidence or evaluation (or both!).

Note: If you are trying to have a varied essay, even out the points. If it’s a case of positive or negative, have three positive points and three negative points.

Here is the next six points of the essay written out with this formula.

Firstly , immigration into Scotland had a positive impact on Scots because when the Irish immigrated into Scotland, they helped with the development of the railway lines and canals. This proved to be an positive impact on peoples  lives in Scotland because it enabled transport for leisure and importing goods much more accessible, therefore helping the country as a whole.

Secondly, immigration into Scotland had a positive impact on Scots because Italians who immigrated managed to introduce a different variety of exotic and healthy foods into the typical Scottish diet . This proved to be an positive impact on peoples lives in Scotland because it improved the awful diet that the Scottish people had, which in turn, improved their health as a whole.

Furthermore , immigration into Scotland had a positive impact on the Scottish people because many experienced nurses and doctors immigrated to Scotland to help improve the health of the Scottish people.   This proved to be an positive impact on peoples lives in Scotland because it obviously helped make Scots much more healthier, and be able to have a more healthy life style.  

But on the other hand , immigration into Scotland had a negative impact on the Scottish people because hostility grew between both the Protestant and Catholic churches and the Jewish church . This proved to have an negative impact on peoples lives in Scotland because it led to many fights and disputes, therefore creating a cultural void in Scotland.

Moreover, immigration into Scotland had a negative impact on the immigrants because they were deemed responsible for taking up a lot of jobs, therefore leading to unemployment for Scots. This proved to have a negative impact on Scotland peoples lives in because it caused dispute between the groups, which still go on today.

Lastly , immigration into Scotland had a negative impact on the immigrants because sometimes they were unwelcome and Scots would harass them all the time. This proved to have a negative impact on peoples lives in Scotland because it gave an impression that Scotland was an unfriendly nation, which put off a lot of people from immigrating to Scotland.

As you can see, you don’t need to make it over complicated. But, here are some general tips for writing the essay points:

• Try to make it sound professional. The people who will be marking your paper will be more than likely quite good at english. If you can include good sentence structure, grammar and punctuation, then you’ll be fine.
• DO NOT WAFFLE. This gives an impression that you don’t know what you are writing about.
• Never speak in first person. You only do this in the conclusion.
• Remember to write the correct question number in the margin.
• Remember to count how many points you have done, sometimes people forget this and end up doing eight by mistake, when you only need six.

So, you’ve finally got the worst part over with and your at the conclusion. This is a nice way to give your essay that good finishing touch. But, the key to a successful conclusion is to have:

• A balancing summary.
• A point from your essay that you think that contributes most to the factor being written about, and why you think it contributes the most.

Here is a sample conclusion.

In conclusion, I think that immigration had an negative impact on peoples lives in Scotland. Whilst some of the negatives stand out from the rest, the most negative impact would have to be the fact that immigrants were being deemed for taking up Scots’ jobs, therefore creating a cultural void that still exists today.

• Write out as many practice essays as you can.
• Memorize 6 things about each topic, and more.
• Look over other essays and improve your technique, you will be amazed on how much you can pick up on.
• In the exam, read the question carefully and pick the right question AND WRITE THE NUMBER IN THE MARGIN . If you don’t, you might not get any marks for your essay.
• Reading never does any good! Make spider diagrams, write out the points or even read them out to yourself when revising and will definitely remember them.
• Good luck, and remember to ask your teacher if you are struggling!

(Essay in full, answer to 2008 question “ Explain the impact upon people’s lives of immigration to Scotland ”)

Life in Scotland was very different before masses of people started immigrating to Scotland. There was a lack of culture variety but, much more jobs were free and available for Scots. There were both positive and negative impacts that this had on the Scottish people, and the immigrants themselves.

Firstly, immigration into Scotland had a positive impact on Scots because when the Irish immigrated into Scotland, they helped with the development of the railway lines and canals. This proved to be an positive impact on peoples  lives in Scotland because it enabled transport for leisure and importing goods much more accessible, therefore helping the country as a whole.

Secondly, immigration into Scotland had a positive impact on Scots because Italians who immigrated managed to introduce a different variety of exotic and healthy foods into the typical Scottish diet. This proved to be an positive impact on peoples lives in Scotland because it improved the awful diet that the Scottish people had, which in turn, improved their health as a whole.

Furthermore, immigration into Scotland had a positive impact on the Scottish people because many experienced nurses and doctors immigrated to Scotland to help improve the health of the Scottish people. This proved to be an positive impact on peoples lives in Scotland because it obviously helped make Scots much more healthier, and be able to have a more healthy life style.  

But on the other hand, immigration into Scotland had a negative impact on the Scottish people because hostility grew between both the Protestant and Catholic churches and the Jewish church. This proved to have an negative impact on peoples lives in Scotland because it led to many fights and disputes, therefore creating a cultural void in Scotland.

Lastly, immigration into Scotland had a negative impact on the immigrants because sometimes they were unwelcome and Scots would harass them all the time. This proved to have a negative impact on peoples lives in Scotland because it gave an impression that Scotland was an unfriendly nation, which put off a lot of people from immigrating to Scotland.

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How to Write a History Essay

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GCSE HISTORY: Medicine sample practice 12 mark questions and mark scheme (REVISION & PLANNING)

Subject: History

Age range: 14-16

Resource type: Assessment and revision

Last updated

4 March 2018

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This is a really helpful list of sample 12 mark questions for the Edexcel GCSE History exam. Also included is a simplified version of Edexcel’s generic mark scheme for 12 mark medicine questions.

These resources are suitable for teachers and students alike. They can be filtered into your planning and PowerPoints for lessons or if you are a student then you can answer these practice questions as part f your revision and ask your teacher to mark them for you.

Let me know in the reviews what other resources you would like to see and I will add them as soon as possible.

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AQA GCSE Sociology 12 Mark 'Discuss' Question Writing Frame

Last updated 28 Aug 2023

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Here is a writing frame to use with students to help them develop their answers for the 12 mark 'discuss' questions.

Download the GCSE Sociology 12 Mark 'Discuss' Question Writing Frame

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