1. Exam Technique - 30 Mark Question
As Normans Questions
Exam Technique - 30 Mark Question

2. The Basics You have two sources to analyse and evaluate
You have to decide which of them is ‘better evidence’ for the topic at hand
You do this through a process of continuous comparison – of content and of provenance
You come to a final conclusion about the strength of each source – you may well conclude that one is stronger than the other
These will be primary sources – you need to know your authors!

3. Structure
The structure to write these 30 mark responses is straightforward – 4 paragraphs
Paragraph 1 – Compare the content of the sources and analyse what they AGREE on
Paragraph 2 – Compare the content of the sources and analyse what they DISAGREE on
Paragraph 3 – Compare the provenance of the sources and make some judgements about which may be more reliable/useful/biased/accurate
Paragraph 4 – a conclusion using all of the above to make a judgement about the relative strength of each of the sources as evidence
Take 5 minutes to plan your answer at the start

4. Content Work
Look for clear similarities and differences in the two sources
Even if they agree, one might go a bit further than the other. Don’t be afraid to point that out.
Try to explain the differences – which of them is more credible? Use some well selected ‘own knowledge’ here to help you evaluate the content
The source drives the answer – don’t use the source to back up what you think you know. The source MUST come first

5. Provenance Work
You will need to know who the authors are and what their position is in relation to the question (clergyman, Norman, Saxon, contemporary, later source etc.)
You will also need to consider the dates of the sources – a difference in dates may well explain any difference in content
Avoid general statements such as ‘he is a Norman and therefore biased’. Judge the source on its merits, not simplified statements
This is the most difficult part of this question and requires practice to hone your technique

6. Conclusion
Bring together the ideas you have discussed above to form a judgement about which is the stronger piece of evidence
Do not introduce new ideas
Answer the question – how strong is each source as a piece of evidence in relation to the topic in the question?
Don’t contradict your self – your conclusion should naturally follow the arguments you have made above about the strengths and weaknesses of the two sources

7. Common Mistakes Incorrect referencing … either source or author
Spelling, punctuation and grammar errors
Writing about a source on its own – no comparison
Comparing content or provenance – but not both
Provenance comparison rather simple – biased or not
Narrating the sources – but not analysing. This is not a knowledge driven answer.
Not relating the sources directly to the Q
Running out of time – rushed conclusion
Not writing enough generally
Not deciding which is better evidence