The 16 Mark "How Far do you Agree" Question: Norman England (Q4) (AQA GCSE History)

Summary of Question Four

• This 16-mark "How far do you agree" question four will be based on the historical environment site that you have studied 

• This question requires you to evaluate the statement in the question 

• You need to evaluate the importance of the statement given in the question against other reasons

  • These other reasons will not be mentioned in the question 

• The question can be based on cause, consequence, change and/or continuity 

• You will need to include relevant knowledge including

  • The historical environment site you have studied 

  • The wider events/ developments of the period and how they relate to the historical environment site 

• An example of the type of question you may encounter can be seen below:

• The previous and future sites for the Historical Environment question are as follows: 

The Historical Environment Question

• The historical environment focuses on a particular site in its historical context 

• It aims to examine the relationship between the historical site and associated historic events and developments in that period 

• The historical site will change each year 

  • If you are uncertain what historical site you will be examined on you must

    • Ask your teacher

    • Check the table above

    • Look on the AQA website 

• Your knowledge of the historical environment should cover the following aspects of the site: 

  • The location 

  • The function 

  • The structure 

  • The design 

  • People connected with the site 

  • How the site reflects the culture, values and fashions of the time

  • How the site links to important events and/or developments of that historical period 

  • How those aspects have

    • Changed from earlier periods

    • Changed or stayed the same during this period 

What are Second-Order Concepts?

•  Second-order concepts are:

  • Cause and consequence

  • Change and continuity 

  • Similarities and differences 

  • Historical significance 

• These second-order concepts allow you to:

  • Understand history 

  • Have a complex explanation 

• This 16-mark "How far do you agree" question on the historical environment will include second-order concepts in the question 

• The second-order concept is usually shown in the question for example:

  • "The main change that Norman cathedrals built in Britain demonstrated was a new box architectural style."

  • "During the Norman period, the main consequences of castle building were military."

• If the second-order concept is not mentioned in the question you will be expected to demonstrate second-order concept skills in your answer 

Making Judgements in History 

• The 16-mark question is reliant on your ability to weigh all the evidence and state your opinion. Students often find this part the hardest to do 

• There are some common mistakes students make when making a judgement, they include: 

  • Not giving a clear judgement. Students do this by: 

    • Explaining that all of the reasons are the most important 

    • Failing to decide which factor is the most important 

    • Using language in their answer which is not decisive e.g. “kind of” or “maybe” 

• Contradicting your judgements

  • Students sometimes haven’t planned their answers properly. They start to write their answer with one judgement and then change their opinion halfway through 

  • Doing this means that there is not a sustained judgement and you can not access Level 4 (10- 12 marks) 

Good judgements will:

• Explain which reason is the most important 

  • There is no "right" or "wrong" answer in history

  • If you are unsure of your opinion, pick the side of the argument that you have better or more evidence to support

• Consider other reasons

  • Even if you fully believe a reason is the most important, you still need to present evidence for other reasons

• Be sustained throughout your answer 

  • They should be used to structure your answer and help you explain 

  • This is why planning your answer is important

• Try to explore the relationships between causes/ consequences/ changes or continuity that you have presented in your argument 

  • This will help you to evaluate your argument 

    • For example, when evaluating the main reasons for building castles, one could argue that the main reason was to defend their territory. You could highlight the relationship between William's need to defend their territory and to exert political dominance
      

What Makes a Great Conclusion in GCSE History?

• Conclusions are usually where most of your judgement marks will be awarded

• Students often rush their conclusions so they are not as developed as they could be

• All great conclusions have these three elements:

  • Judgement – Start with your opinion. Try to include the words from the question. Consider second-order concepts like short- and long-term consequences, change and continuity and significance

  • Counter – Give an example from the other side of the argument to show your awareness of this

  • Support – Explain why, after considering all the evidence, you have reached your judgement. Use your best piece of evidence to show your opinion

How to Answer a “How Far do you Agree” Question

• The "How far do you agree" question will present you with a statement, around which you have to create a substantiated judgement

• For example

  • “'The main reason for building castles was to defend the Normans and their territory.' How far does a study of the White Tower support this statement?” 

• To answer this question successfully you should

  • Read the answer carefully and multiple times (if you have the time)

  • Annotate the question to find the key demands of the question 

  • Plan your answer 

    • In your plan include what key knowledge you wish to use and an outline of your argument 

    • This will help you to create a sustained judgement 

• To achieve Levels 3 and 4 (9-16 marks), you must discuss the stated reason in the question 

  • If the question asked if the main reason for building castles was to defend the Normans and their territory, you must discuss how the theme of defending Normans and their territory in one of your paragraphs 

“How Far do you Agree” Question Structure

• Your answer should consist of: 

  • A logical structure 

  • Specific knowledge

  • Relevant evidence 

  • An explanation

  • Substantiated judgement 

  • Sustained judgement 

  • A conclusion 

• If you want to include an introduction you can, but it is not necessary 

• Your answers could be written in PEEL paragraphs: 

  • P - Make a point about the question

    • This should include your judgement 

  • E - Use evidence that supports the point that you have made

    • Evidence needs to be relevant and specific 

    • This should be focused on the historical environment and the wider period of study 

  • E - Explain why this evidence supports your point

    • Your explanation should be focused on the second-order concept in the question 

    • To achieve Level 4 (13- 16 marks), your answer should analyse the historical site chosen and how it demonstrates the changes and developments in the wider context of the period

  • L - Link your explanation back to the question by stating how it or is not the most important reason

    • Here you could demonstrate the relationship between your paragraphs. This will help you to achieve a Level 4 (13 - 16 marks) 

• To achieve Level 4 (13-16 marks), you should aim to write three paragraphs and a conclusion 

Worked Example of the “How Far do you Agree” Question

‘The main reason for building castles was to defend the Normans and their territory.'

How far does a study of the White Tower support this statement? 

[16 marks]

Answer:

The main reason for building castles was to defend the Normans and their territory after invading and killing Harold II in 1066. They needed castles to protect their newly gained territory, especially the capital city of London. The White Tower demonstrates this. In January 1067, King William I ordered a wooden fortress to be built in London between the Thames and the ancient Roman Wall. The White Tower was built on the old Roman ruins. This enabled the Normans to utilise the original defensive features. The Roman ruins were on a small hill. This would allow Norman defenders to spot any potential threats from a distance. The White Tower further protected the Normans because it had a garrison. This housed soldiers' stored weapons and acted as a military base. The design of the White Tower itself had several key features that strengthened its defence. For example, the entrance to the Tower was positioned on the first floor and access was via a removable wooden staircase that could be burnt if under attack. A well in the basement provided fresh water during a siege. These features allowed the White Tower to become a military fortress, providing a strong defence for the Normans. 

A study of the White Tower also shows that building castles allowed the Normans to exert political control, however, this is not the main reason. The White Tower acted as a symbol of his authority.  London’s citizens had never seen a castle like the White Tower before. The Tower literally ‘towered’ over its surroundings and constantly reminded the Anglo-Saxons of the Norman Conquest. The grand halls, spiral staircases and high windows within the Tower would have been intimidating for any visitors. This gave the Normans a clear grip over political power.  Furthermore, the White Tower had a large fireplace that led to multiple chimney openings. This made people believe there were more Normans inside than there were. This contributed to the feeling that the Anglo-Saxons had of living under military rule. The use of the White Tower also demonstrated the Norman’s political control. In 1100, under King Henry I, Bishop Ranulf Flambard was arrested and imprisoned in the Tower for the crime of simony. The Tower for the first time was used as a prison. This allowed the Normans to use castles to make an example out of those who had wronged them. 

Lastly, a study of the White Tower also reveals that building castles strengthened their religious and cultural image. The White Tower was not just about having a military presence; the Normans wanted to impress the Anglo-Saxons and show them the grandeur of Norman culture. The White Tower was built in the Romanesque style which was inspired by Ancient Greece and Rome. The White Tower had curved windows, tall pillars and gilded archers filled with stone. These features were expensive and created a new architectural style for England. The Tower has both fluted and cushioned capitals on the pillars. This was because Norman architecture changed during the building of the Tower. Having both styles shows how the Normans wanted to show they were keeping up with the latest trends. The building of the Chapel of St John was a strong statement of Norman religious beliefs. The Chapel was built on the eastern side of the Tower so that people coming up the River Thames would see the rounded walls. This was to demonstrate their devotion to God. The Normans believed that God was on their side, which helped increase William’s political power over the defeated Anglo-Saxons.

In conclusion, a study of the White Tower reveals that the main reason for building castles was to defend the Normans and their territory. The political power that the Normans possessed developed from having a strong military presence and a strengthened cultural and religious image. If this failed to control the Anglo-Saxons, castles were there to defend against any rebellions or threats. Therefore, the main reason for building castles was to defend the Normans and their territory.