Maximising your marks on the Documents Based Question

1. Maximising your marks on the Documents Based Question HTAI Dublin Sixth Year Revision Seminar M. Kennedy TCD 2012

2. Exam Structure

3. Timing for the DBQ

4. Question 1 – Comprehension • Four questions at 5 marks each • Question 2 – Comparison • Two questions at 10 marks each • Question 3 – Criticism • Two questions at 10 marks each • Question 4 – Contextualisation • Short essay (1.5 to 2 pages) 40 marks DBQ Marking Scheme

5. Read the sources carefully • Read the questions • Reread the sources underlining the information relevant to the question • Write short answers to each question no more that three lines in length • Quote or paraphrase • Examiners looking for one/two pieces of information Question 1 - Comprehension

6. Example from 2009 Montgomery Bus Boycott • Question – According to document A, who usually travelled on the first bus? • Answer – According to Document A the first bus was filled domestic worker going to their jobs. Example answer

7. How are the sources the same? How are the sources different? Question 2 - Comparison

8. Two questions carrying 10 marks each • Each 10 marker is divided in two parts for 5 marks each. • This 5 marks isawarded on a sliding scale • 5/4/3/2/1/0 • As the question type is comparison you must refer to both documents • 5 marks for reference to document A and 5 marks for reference to document B • If reference to one document is omitted – no marks Question 2 - Comparison

9. How do the documents differ? • Which document is more effective? • Which document better illustrates a stated viewpoint? • Which document is more factual? • Which document is more memorable? • Which document gives a clearer picture of a stated event? • Which document do you consider to be more historically accurate? • Which document is more objective? • Which document is more informative? Comparison – types of questions

10. There is not necessarily one right answer • Marks are awarded for convincing arguments • Make a statement: Document A is more factual/historical valuable/effective etc. than Document B or vice versa • Develop your answer by stating why you think that is the case referring to the document. Then refer to the other document stating why you think it is not as good (factual/effective etc) as the first document • It is possible that two students could argue for the opposite documents and both get full marks. Select a viewpoint, argue it well

11. Factual – undisputable details • Effective – serves its purpose • Historical accuracy - factual • Tone – angry, sad, sympathetic, ecstatic, etc., = words used. • Emotive – stirring feelings, attempts to influence • Objective – impartial, balanced, fair in its account • Informative - factual Key words

12. The approach for Question 3 is the same as Question 2 • Two questions carrying 10 marks each • Each 10 marker is divided in two parts for 5 marks each. • This 5 marks can be awarded on a sliding scale • 5/4/3/2/1/0 • As the question type is criticism you must refer to both documents • 5 marks for reference to document A and 5 marks for reference to document B • If reference to one document is omitted – no marks Question 3 - Criticism

13. Criticism asks you to make a judgement • Strengths/weakness as a historical source • Reliability as a historical source • Advantages/disadvantages of autobiographies • Reliability of newspaper accounts as sources • Bias versus objectivity • Advantages/disadvantages of cartoons as sources • How objective is the author of the source • Do the sources support (agree) or contradict (disagree) each other • Primary or secondary source Critical thinking

14. Primary Sources of Information (first hand information, unedited) or Secondary Sources of Information (second hand information, edited) Sources of information

15. Primary sources of information – what are they? • Unedited pieces of information from the time of the event (contemporary) • Time and place rule – generally the closer in time and space the information is to the event itself the more accurate or reliable (reliability) it should be. • EXAMPLES: eyewitnesses, letters, diaries, government records (censuses, acts), poems, songs, photos, paintings, film/video, newspapers, speeches, maps, coins, tomb inscriptions, certificates, account books, clothing Evaluating sources

16. Straight from the horse’s mouth?

17. Primary sources are regarded to be excellent sources of information but the following must be considered: • Who is the author? • Why was it recorded? • When was it recorded? • What is it? • Where was it recorded? • Eyewitness accounts are generally given as the most obvious primary source of information • Eyewitness accounts can be selective, inaccurate, limited, undetailed • However, the personal experience/account is invaluable but does not necessarily contain a lot of factual information.

18. Bias/Prejudice – occurs when one point of view is favoured over other points of view. • Propaganda – using half truths or lies to convince the receiver of a certain point of view • Subjective – occurs when one person’s viewpoint is given, reflects an emotional input • Exaggeration – adding additional fictious details – bigger/smaller, better/worse • Cross-checks – have the details been verified through another source? Factors that affect reliability

19. Cartoons are useful to historians when trying to understand how people or events in the past were viewed by contemporary observers • They give insight into mood and attitude at the time • Cartoonists are not interested in a balanced view • They rely heavily on caricature and exaggeration to make their points • They assume the viewer has a certain amount of background knowledge in order to understand the image Interrogating cartoons

21. The developers The bankers The Celtic Tiger

22. Types of documents

23. Newspaper extract (SEC sample, 2009, 2011) • Transcript from a political speech (2006, • Cartoon from a magazine (2006) • Cartoon from a newspaper (2008) • Letter (2007) • Excerpt from an autobiography (2009, 2010) • Extract from a memoir (2010) • Extract from an interview (2008) • Extract from a book (2011) Past papers

24. Caution + or - Good

25. Contemporary • Daily details • Shows what the public knew No context – doesn’t tell the whole story Newspaper extracts Reflects the point of view of the newspaper/editor - often used as a mouth piece for political parties May contain little detail May contain errors Editing?

26. Don’t believe everything you read in the papers Critical evaluation – always consider the source

27. Distance in time from the event makes interpretation difficult Open to interpretation Lacks detail Cartoons Simple in their format Represent a single point of view Contemporary

28. Honesty based on trust Personal insights May lack detail focusing on emotion Language reflects mood Personal letters Letters Business letters Represents one point of view Contains factual details

29. Autobiography Life Memoirs Events/people A single point of view Gives insight into emotion and motivations May be biased and unbalanced Provides information not available elsewhere

30. Subject to editing Radio Newspaper Interviews Insight into motivations, mood, character of the interviewee Nature of questions determines the scope of the detail Contemporary

31. Speeches Factual A single point of view Highlights the priorities of the orator Propaganda – speeches always used to convince the listener of a particular view point.

32. Photographs Frame focuses the viewer Excellent detail on surroundings, clothes, hair styles Contemporary Image is composed – context can be removed. What’s outside the frame? Gives insight into emotion – facial expressions

34. This is a mini essay worth 40 marks • No need for an introduction or conclusion • Write 1 to 2 pages • An elaborate introduction/conclusion is not necessary • 15 – 20 minutes available • Should be broken up into paragraphs (3 or 4 to a page) • If you can’t answer the question throw the kitchen sink at it – write everything you know about the topic Question 4 - Contextualisation

35. A paragraph or paragraph equivalent may be one of the following: • A relevant introduction giving the background situation and/or defining the terms and explaining the approach; • An episode, phase or stage in a sequence of events; • An aspect of a topic/issue, with supporting factual references; • A point in an argument or discussion, with supporting factual references; • An explanation of a concept or term, with supporting factual references; • A number of significant, relevant statements of fact, explanation or comment which, although not connected or related, can be taken together and assessed as a paragraph equivalent; • A good concluding paragraph or summation, which is not mere repetition What constitutes a paragraph?

36. Excellent: 11-12 marks Outstanding piece of analysis, exposition or • commentary. Clearly expressed, accurate and • substantial information. • Very good: 8-10 marks Very good material, accurately and clearly expressed. • Good: 6-7 marks Worthwhile information, reasonably well expressed. • Fair: 3-5 marks Limited information/barely expressed • Poor: 0-2 marks Trivial/irrelevant/grave errors. Marking a paragraph

37. Excellent: 14-16 marks • Very good: 11-13 marks • Good: 6-10 marks • Fair: 4-5 marks • Weak: 2-3 marks • Very weak: 0-1 mark Overall Evaluation mark

38. Get a good night’s sleep before the exam and remember … Good luck!