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The Normans - exam preparation - OCR B‘[Source]’ How far do they differ? (12 marks)

In your History GCSE, it is important that you not only have good subject knowledge, but have the skills to apply this knowledge to exam questions.

Part of HistoryNormans

‘[Source]’ How far do they differ? (12 marks)

This question will always focus on your ability to identify similarities and differences of interpretation.

Example:

Sources B and C are both illustrations of [____]. How far do they differ and what might explain any differences?

Tips:

  1. Identify the overall impression of each, explain how they are similar or different and offer an explanation as to why they might differ.
  2. Select some of the details covered in each, explain how they are similar or different and offer an explanation as to why they might differ.
  3. Identify the tone or style of the interpretations, explain how they are similar or different and offer an explanation as to why they might differ (there is a theme here!).
  4. Write about the nature or purpose of each interpretation, explain how they are similar or different and offer an explanation as to why they might differ.
  5. Reach an overall judgment about how far they are similar or different, and provide an overall explanation of why this might be.

Start by labelling (if they’re images) or underlining (if they’re written) aspects of the interpretations you think will help you explain similarities and differences. Writing a table out to show each of these aspects and noting similarities and differences will really help you to organise your writing as you need to compare the interpretations directly. Remember to use language like ‘whereas’ or ‘on the other hand’ to show you are comparing the interpretations directly to each other. And don't forget to include what might explain any differences between the sources.

On a question like this, you want to be spending around 15 to 17 minutes - you should break up your time wisely on planning your answer and on writing your answer.