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 use of transportation as a punishment has changed between c1610 and 1868

• 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 need for labour in North America, the American War of Independence and the opportunity for rehabilitation

  • 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 use of transportation as a punishment in the period c1610 - 1868.

(12)

Answer

One reason why there were changes in the use of transportation as a punishment in the period c1610 - 1868 was due to the need for labour. From c1610, approximately 80,000 criminals in Britain were transported to North America and the West Indies (K). The change in use of transportation as a punishment changed because these criminals were used to perform manual labour to help build settlements and develop the colony. This became a popular form of punishment by the government as it helped to reduce the number of criminals in Britain, but it also helped to develop the colony (SOC).

Another reason why there were changes in the use of transportation as a punishment in the period c1610 - 1868 was due to the American War of Independence. The American victory in the American War of Independence in 1783 caused the end of transportation to America (K). This resulted in a change in the use of transportation as Britain no longer governed the United States of America. In 1788, Australia was made into a penal colony and most criminals who faced transportation were transported to Australia (SOC).

A final reason why there were changes in the use of transportation as a punishment in the period c1610 - 1868 was due to the opportunity for rehabilitation. Throughout c1610 - 1868, the use of transportation increased. Approximately 160,000 people were transported to Australia in this period (K). This change in the use of transportation happened because more people saw it as a serious enough punishment, but not so harsh that it was unfair. Especially after the 'Bloody Code' was introduced, transportation was seen as a good alternative to capital punishment for petty crimes (SOC).