a level history essay criteria

A Level History Essay Structure – A Guide

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• Post date December 1, 2022
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Getting an A Level History essay structure right is by no means an easy task. In this post we will look at how we can build a structure from which our essay can develop.

Here you can see the most simplified essay structure for tackling A level History essays. All students should be familiar with this structure. We have broken the essay down into an introduction and conclusion as well as 3 separate parts of content. Running through the entire essay at the side is our line of argument. Whilst this may seem fairly simple, many students still fail to adequately follow this structure, when writing essay answers under exam conditions.

The reasons this structure works well is that it enables you to cover 3 different factors of content. These can be aligned 2-1 or 1-2 on either side of the argument. Your essay is now balanced (covering both sides of the argument), whilst at the same time being decisive in terms of your line of argument and judgement. It is also consistent with the amount you can write in the exam time given for (20-25) mark essay questions.

Expanded A level History Essay Structure

Let’s look at an expanded essay structure. Again, we have our introduction and conclusion as well as 3 separate parts of content. Now we can see that we have added whether or not each of our parts of content agrees or disagrees with the question premise. In order to have a balanced essay we can see on this example that; Content 1 agrees, Content 2 disagrees, and Content 3 can go either way. This overall A Level History essay structure ensures a balanced essay that also reaches judgement.

Furthermore, we have now broken down each individual part of Content/Factor. This can be seen as a mini essay in its own right. The Content/Factor is introduced and linked to the question as well as being concluded and linked to the question. Then we write 2 to 3 separate points within the body of the Content/Factor. We have 2 points that agree with the overall argument of this section of content. This strongly backs up our argument.

Then we can also potentially (this doesn’t have to be done always, but when done right creates a more nuanced analysis) add a third point that balances that particular section of content. However, it doesn’t detract from the overall argument of this factor/content. E.g. In the short term ‘point 3’ occurred but of much greater significance was ‘point 1’ and ‘point 2.’

How To Improve Further at A Level History

Pass A Level History – is our sister site, which shows you step by step, how to most effectively answer any A Level History extract, source or essay question. Please click the following link to visit the site and get access to your free preview lesson. www.passalevelhistory.co.uk

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Previous – A Level History Questions – Do and Avoid Guide – passhistoryexams.co.uk/a-level-history-questions-do-and-avoid-guide/

Next – A Level History Coursework Edexcel Guide – passhistoryexams.co.uk/a-level-history-coursework-edexcel/

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Edexcel History AS/A2 Revision

How to write an A-Level History Essay: To what extent…./How far….

Hiya guys! 

So this is my new series of posts helping you write the best essays you can. Whether you hate History or are aiming for an A* and to continue doing this at university, going into an exam knowing exactly HOW to write the entire exam (because it’s all essay unfortunately) will help you secure the grade you want. 

So! There are different types of questions you can be given but the most common one (for an non-source question) will probably begin with “to what extent” i.e. “to what extent do bananas increase a monkey’s hyperactive and crazy behaviour {20 marks}” or more seriously (and topic related) “To what extent do you agree that the introduction of the statue of artificers was the most significant improvement to the government of the localities in the year 1485-1603?”

This type of structure applies to “how far” questions as well. 

So, here we go: 

Like I said in my previous post, the introduction can be argued to be the most important aspect of an essay (to what extent do you agree that the introduction of an essay is the most important part of an essay…. 🙂 ) 

WARNING: Long post 🙂 

Introduction:

• Outline the argument of the question. (1-2 lines)
• Context (2-3 lines)
• Criteria (2-3 lines)
• Other significant factors (2-3 lines)

Paragraph 1: Point in the question

• Re-phrase the question to answer whether or not the point included in the title was the most significant (1 line).
• Explain briefly what/when it was (1-2 lines)
• Evidence (1-2 lines)
• Analyse by considering the criteria outlined in the introduction. (5-6 lines)
• Judgement and link back to question (1-2 lines)

So this paragraph should always be about the factor included in the question, regardless if you agree that it’s the most significant/important. 

Paragraph 2-4: Most important point after one in the question

• Analyse by considering the criteria outlined in the introduction i.e. successes/failures (5-6 lines)
• Judgement/comparison to PIQ and link back to question (1-2 lines)

This paragraph should be about either the second most important OR the factor/event you think is most significant/important if it isn’t the factor included in the question. Don’t be afraid to argue this! One of the best reasons about History is there is no wrong answer to some extent (to what extent is there no wrong answer in history…okay I will stop 😉 ) but seriously, if you can back your point up with evidence and clear reasoning then you’ve got yourself a good essay. 

• Answer the question (1 line)
• Summarize [analysis/explanation] using criteria (1-2 lines)
• Summarize significance of key points using criteria (3-5 lines)
• Extent you think statement is true using criteria: “To a certain extent” “to a great extent” “To a minor extent”

That’s it! It’s a lot, I know. But don’t worry the more you practice, the better you will become.  Quickly, some  extra help for the exam:

• aim for 4 points – better to have 4 well thought out, well analysed points that 7 hastily written and kinda sucky ones 
• Prioritize the conclusion – if you’re running out of time and you’re not on your conclusion, move to your conclusion. It’s better to have a conclusion and a half written point than a point and no conclusion. Even if this means leaving a few lines to go back to, prioritize your conclusion.
• Plan, Plan, PLAN – I don’t think I can stress this enough. Spending 5 minutes outlining your points, jotting down a few notes on evidence, analysis on links will save you time later in the exam but also stop you from straying from what the question is asking you. I know in an exam you want to start writing ASAP but taking a breather, finding where you stand can ensure you have SUSTAINED judgement all the way through (something examiners are looking for). And the more you practise the quicker you will be. It now takes me approximately 3 minutes to plan my answers in an exam.
• Timings – finally, before I do anything in my exams I mark out next to each question when I need to stop and start the next question (I even mark out planning time). So it looks kinda like: Question 1: start plan: 9, start writing: 9:05, finish writing: 9:45. And begin process again. 

Anyway! Hope this helps guys, have a nice evening and I hope your mocks go well 🙂

Best Wishes, 

History A2 xx

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2 thoughts on “ how to write an a-level history essay: to what extent…./how far…. ”.

Hi thank you for this post:) I was wondering.. Could you create another post in regards to source questions please??

Hello, these are really helpful tips on how to write a history -to what extent… question. Recently I got 13/20 on my essay. I think my weakness was the analysis/ evaluation. Can you please go in to detail in how to tackle this part of the essay. Also maybe attach an example to explain this so its easier to understand. Also in the first paragraph if you agree that the point in the question is the most important factor then should you discuss this, e.g. it was important but it wasn’t important because…. How do you formulate your argument?

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Genius High

A-Level History Essay Structure: Edexcel

Guide/How-To

A-Level History Essay Structure: A Comprehensive Guide for Edexcel Students

Crafting an excellent A-Level History essay requires more than just a good understanding of the subject matter. A well-structured essay, especially for Edexcel exams, is essential for achieving high marks. This guide will provide you with a comprehensive breakdown of the Edexcel A-Level History essay structure, ensuring you can present your arguments effectively and gain the highest possible grade.

Understanding the Marking Criteria

Before we delve into the structure, it's crucial to understand what Edexcel examiners look for in a history essay. The marking criteria typically includes:

• Knowledge and Understanding: Demonstrating a thorough understanding of the historical context, key events, and relevant figures.
• Analysis and Interpretation: Analyzing sources, interpreting historical evidence, and drawing conclusions based on your findings.
• Evaluation: Weighing different perspectives, assessing the validity of arguments, and making informed judgments.
• Structure and Organization: Presenting your essay in a logical and coherent manner with clear introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion.
• Communication and Style: Using accurate historical terminology, writing in a clear and concise style, and referencing sources correctly.

Edexcel A-Level History Essay Structure

The basic structure of an A-Level History essay for Edexcel generally follows this framework:

1. Introduction

• Start with a strong opening statement: Briefly introduce the topic and state your main argument (thesis statement).
• Provide context: Briefly outline the historical background and significance of the topic.
• Outline the essay's structure: Briefly mention the main points you will be discussing in the body paragraphs.

2. Body Paragraphs

• Each paragraph should focus on one main idea: Use a topic sentence to introduce the central argument of each paragraph.
• Provide evidence: Support your arguments with specific historical facts, examples, and relevant sources.
• Analyze and interpret: Explain the significance of your evidence and how it supports your main argument.
• Use linking words: Connect your paragraphs smoothly using transition words and phrases.

3. Conclusion

• Restate your thesis statement: Briefly summarize your main argument in a clear and concise manner.
• Summarize your key points: Briefly recap the main arguments presented in your body paragraphs.
• Offer a concluding statement: Leave the reader with a thought-provoking or impactful statement related to your topic.
• Avoid introducing new information: The conclusion should not introduce any new arguments or evidence.

Tips for Success

Here are some additional tips to enhance your A-Level History essay writing:

• Plan your essay: Before writing, create an outline to organize your thoughts and ensure a logical flow.
• Use specific historical terminology: Demonstrate your knowledge by using accurate historical vocabulary.
• Engage with different perspectives: Explore different interpretations and analyze their strengths and weaknesses.
• Practice your essay writing: Regularly write practice essays to refine your writing skills and gain confidence.
• Seek feedback: Ask your teacher or a tutor to review your essays and provide constructive criticism.

Mastering the Edexcel A-Level History essay structure is a crucial step towards achieving high marks. By understanding the marking criteria and applying the framework discussed above, you can present your knowledge and arguments effectively. Remember to plan, practice, and seek feedback to improve your essay writing skills and excel in your A-Level History exams.