The 12 Marker "Bullet Point" Question: America 1920-1973 (Q6) (AQA GCSE History)

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

• 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:

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