[Katie gee xxx]

I have a nab next week and the essay title is

To what extent did the social reforms of the Liberal Government (1906-1914) improve the lives of the British ?

In my introduction what should i discuss ?

i am really worried because my essays are never as good as they should be do you hav any ideas as to what i could write for this essay and how to get a good grade WHAT DO I DO ???



thanks would appreciate help as only have 2 days to learn it xxxx

ohhhh and is there any websites i could look at peoples HIgher History essays to see how they should be ???


xxx

[MrJohnDClare]

This is a fairly easy essay in some ways.
You need to start your research simply by making a list of the reforms, and then working out how they improved people's lives.

The question, however, does not simply ask you how the reforms improved people's lives.
It asks you 'to what extent' (= 'how far').

I suppose the key question here, of course, is 'compared to what?'
And that is the key to answering it.

Compared to the welfare-less state before the reforms, they represented a HUGE improvement.
Compared to our cradle-to-grave Welfare State, however, perhaps they left a lot to be desired?


Structure of the essay?
I can see two ways through the data:

ONE:
Go through each reform in turn, comparing it to what had been, then comparing it to the situation today, making a judgement reform by reform, and then sum up in a conclusion-of-conclusions.

TWO:
In your first half, talk about the reforms as a whole, comparing them to what was and stressing the benefits.
In a second section, compare them as a whole to the situation today, stressing the shortfall.
Weigh the situation for versus against in a conclusion.


Introduction
You asked specifically about the introduction.
The general wisdom says that you need to summarise the approach you are going to adopt in your essay.
Perhaps also outline how the enthusiasm with which the public received the reforms at the time.

But my advice always is to keep your introduction as short as possible, and get into the 'meat' of your essay as soon as possible.


Historiography
Remember at this level you MUST refer to what other historians have said about this matter - at least in your conclusion.
You will find this out from your textbooks and internet research. If necessary, index-read a load of books/google-search the internet to get some different statements.

I strongly advise you to ditch the various offered 'exemplar' essays on the net; they are simply the efforts of other students and many of them are rubbish.

[glitterglitter]

Hi,

I did this last year. Higher essays are basically extended versions of the "How far ..." questions at Standard Grade.

Two main tips - rather than findings essays google "Higher History Marking Instructions" and you will find the advice issued to markers - what they're looking for, good and bad things about essays.

Secondly - Answer the question! Higher History essays always have some element of debate in them. Don't list or give a narrative, it's the analysis they're looking for. Remember the question is not "what were the Liberal Reforms?" but "To what extent ... improve lives ..?." Refer back to this in your conclusion.

Introduction - follow JDC's advice and keep it short. Your intro should set background / context of the reforms but summarise! Your intro should also show an awareness of what the question is asking you - maybe mention parts of the title, particularly the debate. Your intro should then outline what you're going to talk about.

I agree with the two main ways outlined by JDC to structure it. Only thing I'd check is when you where you compare it to, e.g. today or by 1914 since questions is 'did' not 'have'.

Try to say something unusual or look at things from a different veiwpoint to make your essay stand out.!!!!

Good luck!