1. How can you write a great introduction?
Top Tips!
Set the scene… by introducing the people or events referred to in the question.
Attack the question… by giving a short, clear answer using the language of the question.
Outline your argument… by listing the main point you will cover in your answer.
Question: How far do you agree that the First World War was mainly responsible for the February Revolution of 1917? (30 marks)
The February Revolution of 1917 was an unplanned series of strikes, demonstrations and army mutinies that ultimately led to the abdication of Tsar Nicholas II, ending three hundred years of Romanov rule in Russia. The the First World War was mainly responsible the outbreak of the February Revolution. However, there were other factors that collectively played an equally important role, such as social and economic problems, the actions of Rasputin, the defection of the armed forces and the incompetence of Nicholas II.

2. How can you write a great paragraph?
Top Tips!
Point… Introduce your point clearly at the beginning of the paragraph. You can often use the words of the question to help you do this.
Evidence… Provide detailed and specific evidence or examples to support your point.
Explanation… Explain how the evidence you have given proves your point.
However… Evaluate your point by briefly giving the counter argument that might be made to it.
Link… Make a clear link back to the question at the end of every paragraph.
Question: How far do you agree that Sergei Witte’s policies were successful in modernising the Russian economy in the period ? (30 marks)
The most significant way that Witte modernised the Russian economy was through the development of the country’s infrastructure. For example, Witte invested heavily in the building of railways, with 110,000 miles of track being laid between 1881 and This included the 3,750 miles of the Trans-Siberian Railway, which opened in 1902 and stretched from St. Petersburg to Vladivostok. This helped to modernise the Russian economy by allowing the transport of raw materials from Siberia in the east to the factories in the west. It also facilitated the migration of workers from the countryside to the cities and promoted internal trade. However, it should also be noted that some argue the railways promised more than they delivered, with stretches of the Trans-Siberian Railway still incomplete in 1914 and little evidence to support the idea that the railways had a great impact on the movement of workers. In spite of these criticisms, the development of Russian infrastructure offered the long-term potential for industrial development, so did help to modernise the Russian economy to an extent.

3. How can you write a great conclusion?
Top Tips!
Signpost your conclusion… by starting the paragraph with the phrase ‘In conclusion’.
Summarise your argument… by listing the points you have covered in your answer.
Consider significance… by clearly stating which of your points is the most significant and explaining your choice.
Question: How far do you agree that the First World War was mainly responsible for the February Revolution of 1917? (30 marks)
In conclusion, there were a number of factors responsible for the February Revolution of 1917, including the impact of the First World War, social and economic problems, the actions of Rasputin, defections in the the army and the incompetence of Nicholas II. I think the most significant reason was the impact of the First World War because this exacerbated the existing social and economic problems, emphasised the Tsar’s incompetence and eroded the loyalty of the Russian Army.