"Evaluate the usefulness..." question - Course assessment - Higher History Revision - BBC Bitesize (2024)

FAQs

How to answer evaluate the usefulness questions in Higher History? ›

Choose source points first (quote or paraphrase from the source ) and the quote should be supported by a detailed explanation clearly linked to the question. Choose up to 2 points from the source. Include your own knowledge which should be linked to the question.

Evaluate for top marks!

Use new evidence OR discuss the historical interpretations OR quote a historian to support the judgement. To access the 'full' evaluation marks you need to bring in your line of argument e.g. How important is the factor you are discussing in comparison to your line of argument?

To answer historical questions, you need to do research, analysis, and synthesis. Research involves finding and evaluating primary and secondary sources that are relevant and reliable. Analysis involves interpreting and comparing the sources, and identifying the evidence, arguments, and perspectives that they offer.

When answering an evaluate question, you should give a short description of the strategy or project being evaluated, before giving a conclusion. The conclusion should be backed-up by evidence to support it.

Overall, the key to structuring effective answers to evaluation questions is to be clear, concise, and well-organized. Make sure to use clear topic sentences, provide evidence and analysis to support your arguments, and evaluate your own position in a thoughtful and balanced way.

Describe accurate facts found in the source which are relevant to the question's topic. Don't just write the exact quotes – you have to explain why they are relevant (write the “quote” and then say in your own words what this shows). You can include up to two points from the source.

Evaluative language to express your own judgement

It appears to me that the author… In my opinion, the article… The concept presented by the author is intriguing/innovative in that it… (positive) The arguments the author presented are inadequately supported…

Examples of evaluate

Of course a teacher can be evaluated by looking at student growth. The people are very committed to evaluating each case on a case-by-case basis. She evaluated my personality and broke it down into 41 different traits, out of a total of 52 that she measures.

How do you write a history evaluation? ›

You may briefly summarize the historical narrative or contents but must focus your review on the historical argument being made and how effectively the author has supported this argument with historical evidence. If you can, you may also fit that argument into the wider historiography about the subject.

Sum up the essay and be very clear as to how far you agree with what the question suggests. Secondly, you need to show a recognition of the other side of the argument. You can do this without undermining your argument. Use key phrases such as 'some would argue', 'whilst', 'admittedly'.

These questions involve weighing up different components of an event. You may be considering causes, consequences or the level of, for example, opposition. Considering the question is 'to what extent', it is essential that you weigh up how important/significant that factor actually was.