1. Holocaust Essay Assessment
Year 9 History
Holocaust Essay Assessment

2. Firstly, your article must:
Assessment
Write an essay to explain what is meant by the “Holocaust” with reference to Nazi views and opinions.
Firstly, your article must:
Define what the Holocaust was and provide background information
Explain the Nazi views and opinions that led to the Holocaust
Discuss the consequences of the Holocaust
Evaluate the historical significance of the Holocaust
Success Criteria
Have a clear definition (What was the Holocaust?)
Be organised into paragraphs in a logical order
Develop ideas within your paragraphs using evidence to support ideas
Link your ideas and your paragraphs with connectives
Have a clear opening that explains your argument
Have a conclusion that links to your argument
To make progress this lesson......
>D  Shows some awareness of the Holocaust and anti-semitism
C/B  Shows a good understanding of the Holocaust and how Nazi beliefs caused it.
A/A*  Shows a thorough understanding of the Holocaust, with clear links to Nazi beliefs.

3. STEP 1
When writing an essay, you need an argument which you will prove throughout your writing.
Essay Question: What is meant by the “Holocaust” and how was it caused by Nazi views and opinions?
Your answer to this question will serve as your main argument in your essay. Your introduction will develop around this answer, and your main body paragraphs will prove this argument.
The Holocaust was… Some Nazi views and opinions which led to the Holocaust were…
To make progress this lesson......
>D  Shows some awareness of the Holocaust and anti-semitism
C/B  Shows a good understanding of the Holocaust and how Nazi beliefs caused it.
A/A*  Shows a thorough understanding of the Holocaust, with clear links to Nazi beliefs.

4. STEP 2
Once you have your argument, you should develop an introduction around it.
Argument: The Holocaust was … It was caused by …
Your argument is quite specific, but for your reader to understand it fully, what else will they need information about?
Argument: The Holocaust was … It was caused by …
Your introduction should provide information about:
WW2 and some key players
5 W’s of the Holocaust
The main Nazi beliefs about Jews
To make progress this lesson......
>D  Shows some awareness of the Holocaust and anti-semitism
C/B  Shows a good understanding of the Holocaust and how Nazi beliefs caused it.
A/A*  Shows a thorough understanding of the Holocaust, with clear links to Nazi beliefs.

5. STEP 3
Your body paragraphs must each be developed around one main idea, and each of these should prove your argument.
Argument: The Holocaust was … It was caused by …
In each body paragraph, you will focus on one belief or view, and support your ideas with evidence.
Firstly, the Nazis believed …
Your body paragraphs should include the following:
The belief/view which led to the Holocaust
The cause that made Nazis believe this
The consequences of that belief during the Holocaust
To make progress this lesson......
>D  Shows some awareness of the Holocaust and anti-semitism
C/B  Shows a good understanding of the Holocaust and how Nazi beliefs caused it.
A/A*  Shows a thorough understanding of the Holocaust, with clear links to Nazi beliefs.

6. Identify the belief/view
STEP 3
Your body paragraphs must each be developed around one main idea, and each of these should prove your argument.
Our class paragraph
One major belief that the Nazis thought, which led to the Holocaust, was that Jews were responsible for Germany losing World War I. This belief was caused by German leaders accusing Jews of sabotaging the German war effort and helping Russia to win the war. Due to this belief, many Germans supported the Nazis hatred of Jews. Some felt that Germany would be in a much better state if not for Jewish people. This belief led to the Holocaust because killing Jews was seen as revenge for their betrayal of Germany.
Cause?
Identify the belief/view
Consequence?
To make progress this lesson......
>D  Shows some awareness of the Holocaust and anti-semitism
C/B  Shows a good understanding of the Holocaust and how Nazi beliefs caused it.
A/A*  Shows a thorough understanding of the Holocaust, with clear links to Nazi beliefs.

7. STEP 4
Your conclusion must explain how you have proved your argument. You can do this by summarising your main points, and linking them to your introduction.
Argument: The Holocaust was … It was caused by …
In your conclusion, follow this three-step process.
Summarise your main points
Explain what’s important
Make a link to your introduction
In conclusion, the Holocaust was caused by …
Your conclusion must.
Restate the main Nazi beliefs/views
Summarise how those beliefs/views led to the Holocaust
Evaluate the most significant causes of the Holocaust
To make progress this lesson......
>D  Shows some awareness of the Holocaust and anti-semitism
C/B  Shows a good understanding of the Holocaust and how Nazi beliefs caused it.
A/A*  Shows a thorough understanding of the Holocaust, with clear links to Nazi beliefs.