The essay question on the provincial exam is a thematic “century” question.  It is on one of the 5 themes in the curriculum.  You have to choose 1 topic from 2.

            1. Geopolitical events

            2. Social change

            3. Economic developments

            4. Technological progress

            5. Ideologies

You will notice that not all of these themes arise directly from the material you have been taught.  In other words, you have not been adequately prepared to answer a question on some of these themes - brilliant planning by the curriculum designers.  This makes your choice of question very important.  The order of preference in your choice of question should be:

            1. Geopolitical events

            2. Ideologies

            3. Economic developments

            4. Social change

            5 Technological progress

Unless you have absolutely no choice, do not attempt a Social Change or a Technological Progress question.  You don’t have the material to do it well.

The term “century” question means that you must answer the question using historical data from throughout the 20th century, specifically 1919-1991.  In order to satisfy the requirement of throughout the century, you should include some data from each of the following periods (unless the question is about a more specific period):

            World of 1919

            Promise and Collapse 1919-33

            Turmoil and Tragedy 1933-45

            Transformation and Tension 1945-63

            Progress and Uncertainty 1963-91

Therefore, the process you need to follow is:

Step 1: Choose your question.

Read both questions carefully, and choose the one based on the theme about which you know most.  Avoid technology and social change questions. They may look like a soft option, but they are not.

Step 2: Read your chosen question very carefully.

Read the whole question very carefully at least twice, to make sure that you have understood the entire thing and not just one part of it.  Be sure you understand the actual topic of the question.  Also, pay close attention to the time frame of the question.  If there is a time period specified, stay within it.Here’s an example of how candidates can fall into the trap of seeing only part of a question:

In what ways and for what reasons did rulers of single party states play an important role in world affairs from 1917 to 1945?

Many students ignored the real question and read it as if it said Did rulers of single party states play an important role in world affairs from 1917 to 1945?  They ignored the actual questions, which were: “In what ways,” and “for what reasons”.  As a result, most of their answers were off topic, and scored low.

Step 3:  Look for the command word or words.

All essay questions have a command word either expressed or implied.  If the question is Why? then the implied command is explain why.  If it says compare then compare things, but also look at their differences - you cannot say how similar things are until you have looked at how they differ as well.  Attached is the Ministry’s lexicon of command words.  Read it. Note that none of the commands say “Write down all you know.” Narrative is not an answer.

Step 4: Look at the range of possible answers.

Many questions suggest a range of possible answers.  To what extent suggests either to a large extent or to a small extent.  Evaluate this statement suggests either that a statement is valid, or it is not.  Some questions leave the range of answers open.  For example, a Why question has as many possibilities as there are reasons.  For this type of open question, consider using a standard classification such as Social/Political/Economic/Religious/Military as your framework.

Step 5: Diagram your answer.

Draw up a chart, diagram or mind map showing the logical sections of your answer, and briefly enter the data that you will use in support of each argument you put forward.  Attached is a chart which is useful for the 2-possibility type of question.  For compare and contrast questions, a Venn diagram is the most useful, eg. -

                        Differences   Similarities  Differences

The commands all imply a logical structure for the answer.  Having determined what the actual topic is, the student must then plan the logical structure of the answer.  In many cases the implied logic can be diagrammed, making it easy to do a graphic organizer for the essay, e.g.:

List                                                                  1.________________

                                                                        2. ________________

                                                                        3.________________

Identify                                                          

Descibe

Compare/contrast

        Unique to A                           Common to A & B              Unique to B     

Explain (causes)

                                                                                    continuum

Evaluate                                               valid                                                     not valid

Justify                                                   justified                                     not justified

To what extent                          large extent                                           small extent      

Assess the degree                                 high degree                                           low degree

What is the significance of                     significant                                              not significant

Discuss

Remember, the logic of the question determines the type and number of cells in your diagram.

Step 6:  Recall relevant supporting data.

·        Eidetic imagery – visualizing the content of a particular page of notes.

·        Surfing – imagine oneself zipping around inside one’s brain looking for relevant data in the databanks of one’s memory. Images may help: imagine one’s mind as a room full of filing cabinets, and look in them for information, o

·        Imagine a map of the various areas involved and look in each area for information.

·        Ping-pong – a reactive form of remembering. Think of one relevant fact and react to it by thinking of its opposite, or an associated fact. Bounce from one remembered item to the next, using association.

·        Logical analysis of the task. If I have to do this, I will need data of the following types, then think of categories of data, and specific data under each category.  Use SPITAGERM  as a logical framework to bring data to mind. Or LAND/SEA/AIR or FOREIGN/DOMESTIC.

·        Go through all the countries involved in the topic and try to recall data about each which is relevant.

·        Go through the personalities involved, and use each as a key to recall relevant data.

·        Use chronology.  Go through the period year by year recalling what you know, to see if it is relevant to the question.

·        Use mnemonic devices such as acronyms and verse

·        Association of cause with effect. Follow the logical chain

Step 6:  Decide on the sequence and structure of your answer.

Always begin with your thesis statement, which is your answer to the question.  Then decide in what sequence you are going to tackle the answer and whether you are going to use block structure (EG. Case for, case against, conclusion), ping-pong structure (on the one hand, then on the other, on the one hand, on the other, etc.) or sequential.

Step 7:  Write your answer

Start with your thesis, and throughout the essay, relate what you are saying to the thesis.  If it is for the thesis, say this information supports the thesis.  If it is against the thesis, say that this information contradicts the thesis.  Use transition words and phrases such as “in addition”, on the other hand”, “by contrast”, “therefore” and “however” to keep your reader informed as to how your data relates to the thesis.  And 2 golden rules:

1. Always support your point with historical data from throughout the          century and,

2. Do not rely on narrative alone.  Straight narrative is almost never

enough to answer a question.  No matter how much you know, infodump

does not cut it.

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