The 12 Marker "Bullet Point" Question: America 1920-1973 (Q6) (AQA GCSE History)
Revision Note
Written by: Natasha Smith
Reviewed by: Bridgette Barrett
Summary of Question Six
Question Six requires you to evaluate the two bullet points which refer to a given issue
The bullet points given will:
Include information across the America: 1920 - 1973 unit
Be a direct comparison of two key groups or events
For example, in the America: 1920 - 1973 unit, the bullet points could be on Malcolm X and Martin Luther King, the New Deal and Effects of the Second World War, Flappers and traditional women of the 1920s
Amount of marks | 12 |
---|---|
The time that you should spend on the question | No more than 20 minutes |
An example of the type of question you may encounter can be seen below:
In previous years, this question has focused on the following topics in American history:
Year of Exam | Question Topic |
---|---|
2018 | |
2019 | |
2020 | |
2021 | The impact of President Hoover and President Roosevelt on the Great Depression in America |
2022 | The impact of prohibition and immigration on American society in the 1920s |
Sample 1 | The increase in opportunities in 1920s America |
Sample 2 | Campaigning in the 1960s and 1970s |
Making Judgements in History
The 12-mark question relies 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 when making a judgement, they include:
Not giving a clear judgement. Students do this by:
Explaining that both bullet points are important
Failing to decide which bullet point is more 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 one bullet point is more important than the other
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 the other side of the argument
Even if you fully agree with one of the bullet points, you still need to present evidence for the other bullet point
Sustain your judgement throughout your answer
Your judgement should be used to structure your answer and help you explain
This is why planning your answer is important
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 “Bullet Point” Question
When answering a “Bullet Point” question you need to:
Read the question carefully
Plan your answer. This will help you to:
Decide which bullet point you will support
Have a logical and concise argument
Have a substantiated judgement
Achieve the higher levels
Examiners argue those who plan their answers, achieve higher marks
Explain both bullet points in your answer
“Bullet Point” Question Structure
Your answer should consist of:
Specific knowledge
Relevant evidence
Substantiated judgement
A conclusion
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
E - Explain why this evidence supports your point
L - Link your explanation back to the question by stating how it is more or less important than the other bullet point
Worked Example of a “Bullet Point” Question
Worked Example
Which of the following was the most important reason why the American economy improved after the Depression?
New Deal Policies
The Second World War
[12 marks]
Answer:
The New Deal had a major impact on the American economy, however, this was not the most important reason. Roosevelt introduced alphabet agencies that involved industry, farmers, the unemployed, and land. The alphabet agencies got people back to work and provided millions of Americans with valuable skills. Roosevelt also introduced the Emergency Banking Act which resulted in some banks in America re-opening Roosevelt’s alphabet agencies, which meant nearly everyone could get back to work. Roosevelt created the PWA which got skilled workers back out there, and the WPA which employed photographers, writers and artists. Although Roosevelt's New Deal had a positive impact on the American economy it was not the most important reason why the economy improved after the Depression because in 1941 there were still 6 million Americans unemployed, America’s entry into World War Two ended unemployment in America.
The Second World War was the most important reason why the American economy improved after the Depression. The Second World War ended unemployment as large industries were making things like planes and smaller industries were making ammunition. American farmers also prospered as they were making 50% of the world’s food as they were so far away that they couldn’t be attacked on the mainland. America was very prosperous after World War Two due to lend-lease, in which the loaned countries like Britain, France, Russia and China over $50 billion worth of equipment and weapons. The Second World War was the most important reason why the American economy improved after the Depression because it had a greater positive impact on the American economy as it ended unemployment, made the American economy prosperous and created new industries. The Second World War was the more important reason because it improved the American economy in ways that Roosevelt's New Deal failed to do.
Overall, the most important reason why the American economy improved after the Depression was due to the Second World War. Although the New Deal did have a positive impact on the American economy in 1941, there were still 6 million unemployed people in America. However, the Second World ended unemployment and rebuilt America’s workforce, which the New Deal failed to do.
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