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ScotlandHistory

Historical Skills

5 dot points across 5 inquiry questions. Click any dot point for a focused answer with worked past exam questions where available.

How do you answer the SQA Higher History 'compare two sources' question, identifying overall and detailed agreement and disagreement for the marks?

The 'compare the views' source question: making an overall comparison of two sources' viewpoints and developing point-by-point comparisons of detailed agreement and disagreement on the issue.
How to answer the SQA Higher History 'compare the views of two sources' question in the Scottish paper. Covers the overall comparison of viewpoints, developed point-by-point comparisons of agreement and disagreement, how the marks are awarded, and the structure that avoids describing each source in turn.
11 min answer →

How do you evaluate the usefulness of a source in the SQA Higher History Scottish paper using its origin and purpose?

The 'evaluate the usefulness of a source' question: judging a source by its origin, purpose, content and what it omits, and structuring a full source evaluation.
How to answer the SQA Higher History 'evaluate the usefulness of a source' question. Covers origin, purpose, content and omission, how the marks are awarded, and a reliable structure for a full source evaluation in the Scottish paper.
11 min answer →

How do you answer the SQA Higher History 'how fully' and comparison source questions using context and your own knowledge?

The 'how fully does a source explain' question and the 'compare two sources' question: interpreting content, adding contextual knowledge, and identifying agreement and disagreement.
How to answer the SQA Higher History 'how fully does a source explain' question and the 'compare two sources' question. Covers selecting relevant content, adding contextual knowledge, identifying overall and detailed agreement and disagreement, and how the marks are awarded.
11 min answer →

How do you research, structure and write the SQA Higher History assignment to score well across its 30 marks?

The Higher History assignment: choosing a historical issue, collecting and evaluating sources, processing evidence into a line of argument, using differing interpretations, and reaching a supported conclusion under controlled conditions.
How to plan, research and write the SQA Higher History assignment, the 30-mark coursework component. Covers choosing a historical issue, collecting and evaluating a range of sources, organising evidence into a line of argument, using differing interpretations, the conclusion and judgement, and how the marks are awarded.
12 min answer →

How do you plan and write a high-scoring extended-response essay in the SQA Higher History British and European or World papers?

The extended-response essay: writing a structured introduction with a line of argument, balanced analytical paragraphs of factors, the use of evidence, and a conclusion with a supported judgement.
How to plan and write the SQA Higher History extended-response essay in the British and European or World papers. Covers the introduction and line of argument, balanced analytical paragraphs, the use of evidence, the conclusion and judgement, and how the marks are awarded.
11 min answer →