The 8 Mark "Write a Narrative Account" Question (Edexcel GCSE History): Revision Note
Exam code: 1HI0
Summary of Question 2
Question 2 requires you to write an analytical narrative
This means explaining a sequence of key events and how they are linked together
You must write about each stage of the narrative in chronological order
Amount of marks | 8 |
|---|---|
The time that you should spend on the question | No more than 15 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 for Superpower Relations:
Year of Exam | Question Topic |
|---|---|
2018 | Détente during the 1970s (opens in a new tab) |
2019 | The Hungarian Uprising (opens in a new tab) |
2020 | The Cuban Missile Crisis (opens in a new tab) |
2021 | The 'Second Cold War' (opens in a new tab) |
2022 | The Cold War crisis over Berlin (1958-63) (opens in a new tab) |
2023 | US-Soviet relations in the years 1945-47 (opens in a new tab) |
2024 | The collapse of Soviet control of Eastern Europe, 1985–91 |
The importance of chronology
Chronology is the ability to place events in time order
In the narrative account, you must write about three events in the correct order
If you write the events out of order, you will only get 2 marks
Do not include events outside the time frame of the question
To help, the exam provides you with two stimulus points
The stimulus points are sometimes given with dates
If not, the stimulus points are arranged in time order
If you do not know the stimulus points, you are allowed to use your own knowledge
If you only use the two stimulus points, you can only achieve a maximum of four marks
Sequencing and linkage in GCSE History
Sequencing
Sequencing in history is the order in which events happened
For the example question, the Truman Doctrine happened before the US was accused of 'dollar imperialism'
A sequence could:
Happen over a short or long period of time
Stretch over multiple events
Have negative and positive impacts
When explaining sequencing, you need to be careful not to write a story
Instead, your answer should explain how one event led to another
Linkage
A linkage in history refers to the connections between events or issues
For the example question, the Truman Doctrine connects to the creation of the Marshall Plan
Linkage allow historians to:
Compare historical events
Explain the causes and consequences of an event
Explain the wider developments of a period
Use connective phrases like:
"As a result…"
"Consequently..."
"This led to…"
"Because of this…"
Planning your answer will make it easier to make linkages
How to answer a "Write a narrative account" question
Your answer should include:
An organisation of three events into chronological order
Specific and relevant knowledge of each event in the narrative account
An explanation of how each event connects to the next
Before you write the question, ensure that you have the following:
Good knowledge of the three events that you are using in the narrative account
A clear understanding of how each event links together
This will allow you to achieve the analytical narrative that the examiner is looking for
To create successful linkages for Superpower Relations, you should consider if the event:
Heightened or lessened Cold War tensions
Improved or damaged US-Soviet relations
Had positive or negative consequences on the USA or the USSR's reputation
"Write a narrative account" question structure
Your answers could be written using CHRONOLINK
CHRONO — Put the sequence of events in chronological order
LINK — Connect each section of the narrative to the next event that occurred
To achieve full marks, you should aim to write about three events in the narrative account
These events can be organised into one paragraph per event or one continuous paragraph
The question is out of 8 marks
4 marks for knowledge (K)
4 marks for your analysis of the second-order concepts of causes, consequences and/or changes (SOC)
Worked example of a "Write a narrative account" question
Worked Example
Write a narrative account analysing the key events of the Marshall Plan in 1948.
(8)
You may use the following in your answer:
You must also use information of your own. |
Answer:
In 1947, Truman announced that the USA would send $400 million to both Greece and Türkiye (Turkey) (K). This was because both countries were at risk of becoming communist . Truman believed that this money would help both countries rebuild after the Second World War so they were strong enough to resist communist rebels. The Truman Doctrine marked a new approach of the USA towards other countries. The doctrine increased US intervention in European affairs and showed that the USA was following a policy of Containment when it came to communism (SOC).
The increased levels of US intervention led to the passing of the Marshall Plan in 1948. After a visit to Europe, General George Marshall told Truman that every country in Europe was at risk of turning to communism because of how poor they were. As a result, the Marshall Plan gave away $13 billion to 16 European countries in Western Europe (K). The result of the Marshall Plan was a decline in US-Soviet relations (SOC). This is because the Marshall Plan was offered to the satellite states of Eastern Europe but Truman knew that Stalin would not allow them to accept the money. Stalin felt threatened by the USA's increased presence in Europe.
Stalin's reaction to the Marshall Plan was incredibly negative. He accused the USA of ‘dollar imperialism.' Stalin stated that the USA was using money as a way to expand its 'empire' into Europe (K). This accusation resulted in heightened Cold War tensions (SOC). There was a much bigger divide between East and West. Satellite states were in support of the Soviet Union whilst recipients of the Marshall Plan supported the USA.
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