[D R E A M Z]

Hello Mr John D Clare

My AQA History paper 3 is tomorrow and I need some advice on how to answer the following type of question:

Sources H and J give different views of Vietnam War Veterans.
Why do you think they are different? Explain your answer (8 Marks)

This is the only type of question in the exam tomorrow which I am not 100% confident about; is there certain aspects that I need to be aware of when answering this question? Any advice would be much appreciated as I feel my approach to this question will be incorrect otherwise.

Thank you

[MrJohnDClare]

The way to find out this is to look at the markscheme for this question:

Quote

4c. Sources H and J give different views of Vietnam War veterans. Why do you think they are different? Explain your answer. (8 marks)
Target: To comprehend analyse and evaluate interpretations and
representations (AO3)

Level 1: Describes the content of the source(s) accepting the interpretations or representations at face value (comprehension); e.g. proud. Likes to talk about his experiences. Hated the war and treatment of veterans (1-2 marks)

Level 2: Simple explanation and description of how the interpretation came about:
When the source was written, known information at the time, selection of information or sources to arrive at a particular point of view, typicality 1987 v 2006; e.g. one about the war and the other about the treatment of war veterans. One person v all organisations view. (3-4 marks)

Level 3: EITHER
Developed explanation to evaluate the motives/purposes of the author(s)
OR
Analysis of the content of the sources to identify bias and evaluate the interpretation
e.g. organisations view versus that of an individual (explained). One had had a war with bravery valued and had not been wounded/hospitalised. Refers to membership including serving troops (explained) (5-6 marks)

Level 4: As level 3, but uses knowledge to test the interpretation within its historical context.
Not all Veterans were anti-war. Many Americans were in favour of the war right up until it ended. Anti-war organisations had more evidence to use once the effects of the war became better known e.g. effects of chemicals, posttraumatic stress etc. (7-8 marks)

Bascially, this is a simple sourcework question - one section on the content, another on the provenance - only this time compare the two on both, and put the issue in its historical context to earn the highest marks.

Read this webpage for a detailed explanation and breakdown of how these kinds of question are marked.