1. Introduction and Conclusion Useful key terms to show judgement in your essay Synoptic and synthesis = Key Skills C+ grade IMPACT Link back to question (Introduction/conclusion and at the end of a thematic paragraph) Clear themes An introduction should: Give some background information on the topic and state the debate surrounding it. State the themes that will be explored throughout. Give a quote from 2 of the interpretations to show the differing opinions about this time period and link it to the question. THIS IS YOUR ONE AND ONLY CHANCE TO IMPRESS THE EXAMINER! A conclusion should: Give an overall judgement. Recap themes/areas and which one has the strongest link to support your judgement. Suggest which interpretation has the strongest, best supported views. Link to the exact wording of the question in the final sentence. SYNOPTIC = Essay arranged theme by theme, generally from the most significant to the least. SYNTHESIS = This means you have found common themes in the interpretations and used your own knowledge to explore the interpretations and give a clear answer in relation to the question. E.G. Interpretation B and D both agree that religious Protestant idealism was the inspiration for prohibition, however, interpretation B places greater emphasis on the Temperance League. LOOK AT THE MARK SCHEME USE THE BOOKLET ‘INTERPRETATION’ not source! What can you infer from the interpretation? ‘COP’ Provenance Comprehensiveness What does that date and title suggest? Disparity Perpetuate Exemplify Consolidate Profound Coherent.

2. PROBLEMS WITH INTERPRETATION ESSAYS Look at the booklet and mark scheme! It is worth putting in the extra effort now! Introduction and Conclusion Clear themes Synoptic and synthesis = Key Skills C+ grade Useful key terms to show judgement in your essay Disparity Perpetuate Exemplify Consolidate Profound Coherent. ‘INTERPRETATION’ not source! What can you infer from the interpretation? ‘COP’ Provenance Comprehensiveness What does that date and title suggest? The first thing and examiner will read is the introduction and conclusion to see if they match up and look part of the same essay. THIS IS HOW YOU CAN DO IT: Make sure that key themes are clearly stated in both. Make sure there is a clear link to the exact wording of the question. Make sure judgements are explicit. Make an impression CONCLUSION: No new historians or information should be found here. I have put a pack on EDMODO to help build good intros and conclusions – USE IT! SYNOPTIC = Essay arranged theme by theme, generally from the most significant to the least. SYNTHESIS = This means you have found common themes in the interpretations and used your own knowledge to explore the interpretations and give a clear answer in relation to the question. E.G. Interpretation B and D both agree that religious Protestant idealism was the inspiration for prohibition, however, interpretation B places greater emphasis on the Temperance League. NOT ENOUGH SYNOPSIS AND SYNTHESIS Make sure you compare the interpretations to one another.