+
WRITING FOR THE VCE HISTORY REVOLUTIONS EXAM (2014)Luke CashmanPenleigh and Essendon Grammar [email protected]
+
What will be covered today?
The structure of the exam
Exam format: Question booklet & Answer booklet
Time allocation
Which Revolution to write on in each Section
How to address particular questions
Preparation and study advice
Study resources
General hints and tips
Sample student responses
+Structure of the examination
Monday, 10 November 3.00 - 5.15pm
The exam is worth 50% of your overall result for this subject (VCE Study Design, January 2013, p136)
Total of 80 marks
15 minutes reading (and thinking) time
Two hours writing time
Two Sections (A & B) which contain two Outcomes each: Outcome 1: Revolutionary ideas, leaders, movements and events
(AOS 1) Outcome 2: Creating a new society (AOS 2)
+
Section A & Section B
Each Section is worth 40 marks; each Outcome is worth 20 marks
Therefore 60 minutes per Section; 30 minutes per Outcome
Roughly 500 – 600 words per Outcome every 30 minutes
You must nominate which Revolution you will address on the front page for both Sections in the Answer book
You can only write on ONE revolution in each Section. Eg: Section A: America (both Outcomes) Section B: China (both Outcomes)
+Exam format Separate Question and Answer book
Two reasons: Facilitate computer scanning for assessment Prevent problems over which Revolution to write on in each Section
Each Outcome immediately follows on from the previous one in each Section
You MUST write your responses within the box in the Answer book otherwise the computer might not scan it
Use the extra writing space provided appropriately – clearly label your responses (eg: “Qn continued in extra space”; then “Section A Qn 2 continued”) This is absolutely vital as your exams are scanned, separated and sent to different assessors.
+Which Revolution should you write on in each Section? Which Revolution can you write on in both Sections?
Which Revolution should you write on?
Two options: Decide in the exam room after you have read the questions Decide prior to the exam, regardless of the questions
If you take the latter option: Decide early to reduce your preparation time Think about the SACs you sat during the year For example - France: SAC 1 Document Analysis; SAC 2
Argumentative essay corresponds to Section B
+
SECTION A
REVOLUTION ONE
+
Section A, Outcome 1 (I) Indicate which Revolution you are writing on in the Answer book
Revolutionary ideas, leaders, movements and events
Long-term, structural factors such as: social, economic and political causes
Short-term precipitants: wars, financial crises, signs of weakness at the top etc.
Question format: Extended Answer Response (EAR)
Two questions: BOTH must be answered
10 marks each; 15 minutes per question
This includes less than 1 minute planning each
Approximately 250 words per question
+Section A, Outcome 1 (II)
Read the question carefully and underline/highlight key terms
Stay within the timeframe given in the question (eg: “between February and October 1917”)
If dates given (eg between 1905 and February 1917) include events in those dates
The first sentence must answer the question directly
Three or four distinct points that are clearly signposted (eg Firstly, Secondly etc)
Distinguish between: Question 1: “contributed to the development of the Revolution” – that is, deeper, broader, long-term
structural factors (political, social, economic etc) that generate tensions, grievances and social friction but could not on their own lead directly to the transfer of power
Question 2: “contributed to a revolutionary situation” – that is, short-term, specific, close-focus, volatile and frequently violent factors that led directly to a revolutionary transfer of power
Refer to these two points throughout the question, not just in the first and final sentences
“Too many unnecessary references to historians… that often caused disruption to the flow of the argument and presentation of facts.” (Assessor’s Report on the 2013 Revolutions exam)
+Section A, Outcome 1 (III)
Use words that highlight causal role of an event, person etc: ‘catalyst’, ‘highlighted’, ‘intensified dissatisfaction’, ‘polarised’, ‘popularised’, ‘articulated’, ‘stimulated; ‘led to’, ‘contributed to’, ‘crucial factor in.’
Consider when and why key social groups (including the armed forces) withdrew their support from the regime
What mistakes or errors were made by the old regime (eg poor decisions; failed attempts at reform; increased political repression; weak leadership)
How and why particular political groups or parties (eg the Bolsheviks or the CCP) were able to muster and maintain sufficient support
Include specific detail: groups & movements; individuals; key events (dates); important places; the impact of ideas and ideologies; policies and documents/speeches
Address these questions in the appropriate section of the Answer book
+
Section A, Outcome 2 (I)
Creating a new society
The same Revolution that you wrote on in Outcome 1
Follows on directly from Outcome 1 - easy to find
Key areas to focus on: What were the stated aims and goals of the revolutionaries? Did the Revolution fall short of its goals? If so, why? Challenges/obstacles/crises: military, political, social and economic Responses: disproportionate and brutal OR necessary and appropriate? Change and continuity: was the new regime markedly different to the one it replaced? Which social groups “won and lost” in the revolutionary outcome?
Task format: Document Analysis
1 document; 30 minutes (including planning)
+
Section A, Outcome 2 (II) Can be any of: document, commentary, visual
representation or interpretation
Primary or secondary; visual or written
Read the captions carefully for vital contextual/background information
Four questions (a, b, c & d)
Questions a and b: comprehension / knowledge 2 marks each Your ability to interpret the extract Be succinct but answer the question Read the questions carefully and get them right!
+
Section A, Outcome 2 (III)
Question c:
Read the question carefully & highlight key terms (RUUP)
Do not simply write a narrative of events
The first sentence should answer the question (a topic sentence)
Expand on this with three main ideas
Use signposting to connect, or differentiate between, ideas
Use specific historical knowledge (dates, names etc)
Stay within the time frame specified by the question
About 10 minutes and approximately 150 words
+
Section A, Outcome 2 (IV)
Question c:
Knowledge/understanding; historical context surrounding the document.
Key phrase in the question: “By quoting from the extract and using your own knowledge…” or “By referring to parts of the graphic…”
Meet this requirement by quoting directly from the extract or describing an element of a visual representation.
Discuss the main idea of the document as one of your three main points
Useful phrases: “As stated in the extract…” or “As Robespierre stated in his speech…” or “As can be seen in the visual…”
Address this in the appropriate section of the Answer book
+
Section A, Outcome 2 (V)Question d:
Evaluate the usefulness or reliability of the document
This means three things: Know what event or issue the document refers to Understand whose perspective is being presented Know what others have said about that event or issue (can be
contemporary views or historians)
Read the question carefully and underline key terms
Plan before you write; decide how reliable or useful the document is in representing a specific episode of the past and be prepared to explain your answer
Stay within the time frame specified by the question
+Section A, Outcome 2 (VI)Question d:
Your first sentence must answer the question (ie: how reliable or useful is the source: extremely; quite; somewhat; limited etc)
Discuss the strengths and/or limitations of the source; refer to obvious bias or deliberate distortion if evident
Omission – what aspect of the event or issue does the document not discuss (ie other causes or consequences)
Quote written documents or describe a particular element of a visual source. Make the reference explicit.
Discuss viewpoints that agree with the extract (if possible)
Discuss viewpoints that disagree with the extract or offer equally valid, yet alternative, points of view
It is not enough to list schools (eg: Marxists; revisionists); you need to know what particular historians have argued about specific aspects of the revolution
+
Section A, Outcome 2 (VII)
Question d:
Use well-known historians and be as specific as possible when discussing their views
Use signposting throughout to indicate where viewpoints differ or concur (Similarly; on the other hand; in addition; however)
Summarise your findings in the final sentence; link back to the question directly
Eg: “Therefore, this extract is of limited use because…”
Approximately 250 words
15 minutes
Address this in the appropriate place in the Answer book
+
SECTION BREVOLUTION TWO
+Section B, Outcome 1 (I)
You MUST write on a different revolution from the one you referred to in Section A
Mark this in the appropriate place in the Answer book
AOS 1 – Revolutionary ideas, leaders, movements and events
The task in Section B, Outcome 1 is essentially the same as Section A, Outcome 2
Document analysis: Any of a document, commentary, visual representation or interpretation
Format: a, b, c & d
20 marks; 30 minutes including planning
Address this in the appropriate place in the Answer book
+
Section B, Outcome 2 (I)
Refer to the same revolution as you did in Section B, Outcome 1
AOS 2: Creating a new society
Format: Argumentative Essay
ONE essay question per revolution - no choice
Questions are specific to one of the four revolutions
Usually accompanied by a quote from a participant or historian, or a general statement
This can help you engage with the broader debates on the Revolution
+
Section B, Outcome 2 (II)
Read the question carefully
Highlight/underline the key words
Write a brief plan to structure and organise your response
Do not refer to AOS 1 at all
20 marks; 30 minutes
Argue a clear, strong contention that refers directly to the question
Develop a complex contention; avoid simply agreeing or disagreeing with the question (eg. some goals met; not all)
+
Section B, Outcome 2 (III)
Use paragraphs with clear topic sentences
Expand on topic sentences with relevant and specific evidence: policies or speeches key documents key events statistics and quotes important individuals, institutions & groups accurate dates
Students are discouraged from using historians’ views. Instead, demonstrate your own understanding and interpretation of the past supported by specific evidence
+
Section B, Outcome 2 (IV)
Approximately 500+ words
Brief intro and conclusion (about 50 words each)
Three body paragraphs of about 150 words each
Four types of questions: Aims and goals Crisis and response Change and continuity Who gained and who lost?
Can focus on any of: Political Social Economic
+Section B, Outcome 2 (V)Possible essay structures:
Chronological (aims and goals; change and continuity): Initial moderate phase (establishment; goal setting) Radical phase (extremism; defending or extending the revolution beyond its initial
aims Return to moderation (return to moderate goals; compromise; and end to violence)
By themes (Crisis and response; change and continuity): Political (structure of government; sovereignty; genuine democracy) Economic (distribution of wealth; theory & structure of the economy) Social (liberties and freedoms; social structures overturned; legal and religious
reform; education; use of violence and terror to subdue/eliminate opponents)
By social groups (Who won and who lost?): Groups that won, gained little or lost; from “top” to “bottom” of the social pyramid
+
Section B, Part 2 (VI)
Sample Intro:
Russia [November 1917 – 1924 death of Lenin]
‘The New Economic Policy was an absolute compromise of Bolshevik ideals and illustrated Lenin’s desire to maintain power for power’s sake.’
Do you agree with this view of the Bolshevik revolutionaries? Use evidence to support your answer. [HTAV Sample exam 2009]
By the time of Lenin’s death in 1924, the Bolsheviks had compromised most of their revolutionary goals. This was undoubtedly due in part to the Bolsheviks’ desire to establish a dictatorship and destroy their political opponents. Socially and economically, however, the Bolsheviks were forced (by circumstances largely beyond their control) to implement policies that betrayed their most deeply cherished aims. (60 words)
+
Preparation resources I
Past and sample VCAA exams on the VCAA website:
http://www.vcaa.vic.edu.au/Pages/vce/studies/history/revolutions/exams.aspx
Assessor’s reports (excellent for high level student sample responses)
Prior to 2005 are NOT useful at all
HTAV, QAT and Insight practice exams
Erikson & Kerr, VCE Revolutions Teacher Pack (HTAV, 2010)
Chief Examiner’s advice in “The Age”
(eg. 8 October 2013)
+
Preparation resources II
For historiography - Textbooks:
Cambridge “Analysing the x Revolution” series HTAV series (eg. “Liberating France”) “Access to History” series
Past examinations Borrow one or two accessible works by noted
historians, eg: Fitzpatrick for Russia McPhee for France
+
General hints and tips I Neat hand-writing!!!
Write within the designated space on the page
Use blue or black pen; no pencil (important for scanning clarity)
Answer the question – write to the key terms and use synonyms
Use signposting to connect your ideas together
Use reading time well (also thinking time)
Respond to long written documents first OR
the revolution you feel most confident with
Be time-disciplined in the examination
Genuine practice examinations completed under examination conditions (e.g. time; no books)
+General hints and tips II
Get accustomed to the layout and format of the exam (VCAA samples and past exams; HTAV; Insight)
Respond to the right question in the right part of the Answer book
Use specific facts and information
Avoid vague remarks like: “met the needs of the people” or “made the French happy”
Avoid referring to events from the wrong AOS or the wrong Revolution
Read the captions accompanying documents carefully
Spell and use the terms “bias” and “biased” properly
Something is not biased or unreliable because it is a primary source
Something is not useful or reliable because it is a secondary source
+
General hints and tips III Roughly 500 words per Outcome.
It’s a matter of words, not how many lines you fill
If you use the extra space in the Answer book, use the correct area and clearly label your continued response
If you use a second Answer book, indicate this CLEARLY
Know the chronology of key events and dates
Understand the chain of cause and effect
Be able to work backwards chronologically from an event so you can discuss causes
Speak to your teacher as often as possible
Read, read, read & write, write, write
