How do we answer sources

questions successfully?

Understanding & using exam criteria to raise

attainment

What is the message of the source? 6 marksWrite down what you think the formula is for

answering this type of question successfully. i.e. How would you structure your answer?

You have 30 seconds!

Did you have the following?o Identify what the main message of the cartoon is. (L4 - 4 marks = C grade)o Support the message with details from the cartoon. (L5 - 5 marks = A grade)o Also support the message by contextual knowledge. (L6 - 6 marks = A* grade)

A postcard published in Britain in 1915. The central figure is the Kaiser. The other figures represent various countries.

Main Message The British think that the Kaiser wants to build up a great Empire, to rival theirs. He is going to do this by gaining control over a large number of countries.L4 - 4 marks = C grade

Supporting details

The Kaiser is shown as larger than life – looking down at the many different countries. L5

Supporting details

The figures of many different countries are bowing down to the Kaiser, which shows that he has power over them. L5

Supporting details

The words support the picture as they say the Kaiser has had a dream that, ‘The world is mine’. L5 – 5 marks = A grade

Contextual Knowledge

In the early 20th century, most of Europe & parts of the world were ruled by the British & French. The British navy was the greatest in the world. Britain & Germany had become rivals & Germany was jealous of Britain & wanted its share of power. The postcard supports this as Germany has gone to war in 1914 believing they would win & then be the most powerful nation in the world.L6 – 6 marks = A* grade

Now write a model answer on your MWB.

If your target grade is an A*-B grade you MUST try to write a 5 or 6 mark answer. If your target grade is a C-E grade you MUST try to write a 4 or 5 mark answer.

You have 7mins to do this

Task 2 – Peer AssessmentFind someone in the class who has the

same or a higher target grade than you & ask them to read & mark your answer.On a post-it note, give the person feedback on their answer – say what they did to achieve the mark given, e.g. You achieved this level/mark because you ...If they didn’t achieve 6/6 give them a tip on what they can do to improve their work, e.g. To improve your level/mark you need to ...

You have 5mins

Why was this cartoon published in August 1914? 7 marks

Mark schemeLevel 3 – 3 marks = E gradeSays what the message of the cartoon is but with no development.Level 4 – 4 marks = D gradeExplains the message of the cartoon using details from the source OR contextual knowledge.Level 5 – 5-6 marks = B/A gradeExplains the PURPOSE of the source, i.e. Why was the cartoon published.Level 6 – 7 marks = A* gradeExplains the PURPOSE of the source, i.e. Why was the cartoon published, but in addition focuses specifically on the date – August 1914.

Model Answer – assessing GCSE work

This cartoon depicts the large menacing figure of Germany brandishing a large club (representing her military strength) at a small boy that is Belgium. The boy is protecting his property by refusing entry to Germany. The caption ‘Bravo Belgium!’ clearly shows the cartoon on the side of the small boy of Belgium, giving him praise for his work. I know from my studies that Germany wanted to avoid a war on two fronts and so used the Schlieffen Plan by which German troops would go through Belgium to attack France. On your whiteboard give this answer a level

and then a mark – make sure you have a reason why you have awarded this.

Level 4 – 4 marks

D grade answer

Model Answer – assessing GCSE work

One of the reasons why this source was published was to encourage the British public to praise and thank Belgium for standing up to Germany and delaying their advance under the Schlieffen Plan. The small country of Belgium had put up heroic resistance to the might of the German military bringing time for Britain to mobilise its troops. The German invasion happened on the 4th August 1914. Also this cartoon would anger the British as Germany is shown as the bully attacking someone much smaller and this would encourage men to join up. Another purpose was to warn the British people that Germany is starting to behave aggressively and threaten countries and this could happen to Britain. On your whiteboard give this answer a level and then a mark – make sure you have a reason

why you have awarded this.

Level 6 – 7 marks

A* grade answer

PlenaryOn a post-it note, set yourself a new assessment & progress target – linked specifically to answering source questions.

This target should relate to your target grade and one action that you are going to take in the next 2 weeks to show that you have made progress in this skill.

For example:•When answering a ‘What is the message of the source?’ question I will remember to use the formula: State what the message is; use details from the source to support this; put it into context.• When answering a ‘Why was this source published in ...?’ I will remember to write in my answer what the purpose of the source is - WHY the source was made at that time & back this up with my contextual knowledge.