KEY TIP! Make sure you are clear with historical certainties and uncertainties - what is the DEBATE?

PAPER 2/3 Skills

This section of the internal assessment task consists of the actual investigation. The investigation must be clearly and effectively organised. While there is no prescribed format for how this section must be structured, it must contain critical analysis that is focused clearly on the question being investigated, and must also include the conclusion that the student draws from their analysis. In this section, students must use a range of evidence to support their argument. Students should use a mixture of primary and secondary sources.

Important:

• Student should aim to include a range of 8-12 sources include a mixture of primary and secondary sources. In total you should probably have 20-40 citations.
• It is important to use quality sources of academic scholarship. Avoid relying on (weak) Internet sites.
• Like a Paper 2 or 3, your first paragraph should establish the context and scope of your question, define any key terms and finish with a thesis statement.
• Create a clear structure; each paragraph should analyse an argument with a logical and fluent development of ideas that are focused on the question. Topic and concluding sentences should be used consistently.
• You can use subsections, if they help provide structure and clarity to your paper.
• The use of rhetorical questions can help guide and clarify your argumentation (though you shouldn’t use more than two as it will appear forced/contrived).
• Your ‘critical voice’ should be clearly present throughout this section. Do not accept historical views uncritically. Contrast what books have said. Show different perspectives.
• Pointing out areas of historical uncertainty or areas of potential associated research that would aid the debate is not only acceptable but also highly recommended. Seeing the absence of evidence is good analysis. You can also build off this in your Reflection section.