The 12 Mark "Explain Why" Question (Edexcel GCSE History)

Summary of Question 4

• Question 4 requires you to provide an analytical explanation of the event, development, theme or factor outlined in the question

• This question will require you to use second-order concepts in your answer

• 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 Crime and Punishment in Britain:

What are second-order concepts?

• Second-order concepts are:

  • Cause and consequence

  • Change and continuity 

  • Similarities and differences 

  • Historical significance 

• For the example question, the second-order concept is change and continuity

  • The example question asks you to explain why the treatment of the crime of witchcraft changed between the years c1500- c1900

• These second-order concepts allow you to:

  • Understand history 

  • Give a complex explanation

• This question usually focuses on the second-order concept of change and continuity by asking about:

  • The speed of change in law enforcement, criminal activity or punishments

  • What caused change or continuity in the types of criminal activity or punishments in Britain

  • What caused improvements in law enforcement or punishments

How to answer an "Explain why" question

• This question asks you to explain why there has been a change or continuity to the factor mentioned in the question

  • You need to demonstrate a clear knowledge and understanding of how certain factors have either stayed the same or changed over time

• As shown in the example question, you will receive two stimulus points

  • In the exam, you will be given two possible areas of knowledge to discuss in your question

  • If you only discuss these two stimulus points, you cannot access Level 4 (9-12 marks)

  • You must discuss three areas of knowledge in your answer to access Level 4

• You should always plan your answers before writing them. When creating a plan for this question you should consider the following:

  • What three areas of knowledge are you going to use?

    • For the example question, you could include the role of science, religion and political stability

  • How do they demonstrate change or continuity across the time period outlined in the question?

"Explain why" question structure

• Your answer should consist of:

  • Specific and relevant own knowledge

  • The second-order concept of change and continuity

  • A sustained explanation

  • A logical structure

• Your answers could be written in PEEL paragraphs :

  • P - Make a point about the question

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

    • The evidence should be from the time period outlined in the question

    • Your evidence should include a wide range of knowledge

  • E - Explain the question (SOC)

    • Explain why the evidence caused changes or continuity in the development outlined in the question

  • L - Link your explanation back to the question by stating how significant this factor is for change or continuity (SOC)

• To achieve full marks, you need to repeat this structure three times

• The question is out of 12 marks:

  • 6 marks for a wide range of specific knowledge of the period and the topic (K)

  • 6 marks for the analysis of the key second-order concepts (SOC)

Worked example of an "Explain why" question

4. Explain why there were changes in the way the crime of witchcraft was treated in the years c1500-c1900.

(12)

Answer

One reason why there were changes in the way the crime of witchcraft was treated between c1500 and c1900 was due to religious beliefs and the influence of the Church. In the early 16th and 17th centuries, Europe was heavily influenced by the belief in the devil and the idea that witchcraft was a form of heresy against God (K). This religious belief led to the widespread persecution of supposed witches, as authorities saw them as a threat to the spiritual order. The shift to more severe punishments like burning at the stake reflected the fear that witchcraft endangered both souls and society (SOC). However, by the 18th century, the influence of the Church had started to decline, and the fear of witchcraft diminished as scientific ideas and the establishment of well-respected organisations, such as the Royal Society. They started to explain how illnesses and events happened, therefore, fewer people believed the supernatural beliefs of the early 16th century (SOC).

Another reason why there were changes in the treatment of witchcraft during this period was due to the Enlightenment and the rise of scientific thinking. By the late 17th and 18th centuries, philosophers and scientists like Isaac Newton and John Locke promoted rationalism and a more evidence-based approach to understanding the world (K). This led to a decline in the belief in witchcraft, as people began to attribute unusual events to natural causes rather than supernatural ones. As a result, witchcraft trials and executions decreased significantly because there was a growing scepticism towards superstitions and a demand for more concrete evidence in legal trials (SOC). This scientific shift played a major role in changing how witchcraft was perceived and treated by authorities.

A final reason for the changes in the treatment of witchcraft between c1500 and c1900 was the development of the legal system. In the early 16th and 17th centuries, local courts, influenced by public fear and superstition, were responsible for witchcraft trials and often relied on dubious methods such as "swimming" tests or confessions extracted under torture (K). Over time, legal reforms introduced more standardised and fairer legal processes. By the 18th century, witchcraft trials became rare as courts required stronger evidence and proof. In 1736, the Witchcraft Act in Britain decriminalised the belief in witchcraft, reflecting the growing view that witchcraft accusations were not real and based in superstitions (SOC). This marked a significant shift towards more rational and legal approaches to alleged crimes.