Guidance and Rubrics
This is a source-based paper. You need to extract information from the sources given, identifying inferences too. I have added times as guides to complete your answers – 60 minutes=24 marks=2.5 minutes per mark.
1a (3 marks = 7.5 minutes)
- Make three points and support with evidence. Possibly infer from the source too. Advice is to use firstly, secondly and thirdly.
- Subject Report: some answers include points that paraphrase an earlier point.
1b (2 marks = 5 minutes)
- Make two different points and support with evidence from the source.
2 (4 marks = 10 minutes)
- How does the origin, purpose and content of the source affect the value a historian puts on to it? How useful is it? You can use contextual knowledge here. Moreover, what are the limitations? Use the origin, purpose and content of the source to develop at least two.
- Possible Values: think of the historiography of the event, the source may show the orthodox or revisionist perspective or at least what is being discussed at the time.
- Possible Limitations: if you identify a revisionist perspective, this is usually a break from the past, it has to be different. Think about the purpose of doing this. New evidence could be a value but it could also be recognition or the ego of the historian. Furthermore, can you spot a possible value or limitation from the tone of the source, is there a political agenda?
- Subject Report: ensure you use the words ‘value’ and ‘limitations’. Answers which have low scores are those which only discuss the origins and purposes with regard to the reliability of the sources. You must develop the link between these and the ‘value’ and ‘limitation’.
From the Markscheme – ‘The focus of the question is on the value and limitations of the source. If only value or limitations are discussed, award a maximum of [2]. Origin, purpose and content should be used as supporting evidence to make relevant comments on the value and limitations. For [4] there must be at least one reference to each of them in either the value or the limitations.’
3 (6 marks = 15 minutes)
- Compare and contrast two sources. What is similar and what is different? Aim to identify at least TWO similarities and differences. You can either aim for insight rather than simple comparisons (recommended) or list THREE for each as it could also gain you six marks. Use words such as whilst, however, whereas, similarly, yet et cetera. Quote the source but only briefly.
- Subject Report: Be explicit with the words ‘similarity’ and ‘difference‘.
4 (9 marks = 22.5 minutes)
- This is a mini-essay. This is where you include both your knowledge and analysis of sources. Use all the sources, referring to them as ‘Source B says/ explains’ that…Also, make sure your essay reaches a conclusion which answers the question.
- You MUST include a thesis statement and a balanced argument. Use the sources to support the arguments, DO NOT just add them on!
- Subject Report: Timing is the biggest obstacle to achieving high scores for this question.
Subject Report 2023
Subject Report: After every examination, the IB conducts a review of the strengths and weaknesses. They make recommendations to teachers and future students on how to improve the quality of their answers.
- Avoid writing lengthy answers for the first few questions, timing is so important for success on this paper. You just have sufficient time for the final question. Part of the reason why some students wrote too much was because they described the source or gave the background/context.
- For the second question, focus on identifying values and limitations rather than just origins, purposes and content.
- For the third question, always identify more than one comparison or contrast. You are allowed to write either TWO comparisons or contrasts and ONE of the other for the higher mark band.
- For the fourth and last question, a number of candidates are not including their own knowledge. Practise is required to overcome this.