How to write a sourced based question

How to write a sourced based question

How to write Source-Based Exam Questions (revision of class notes)

In sourced based questions, you are given one or several sources that are usually aligned to a single or similar direction. These can be images, cartoons, photographs or text drawn from interviews, magazines, newspapers, or many other sources.

In this area, your exam preparation is critical. You will need to be analyzing these sources, proposing a “thesis” or opinion, then bringing in your research data (sources from your research) to prove your analysis.

There are 5 questions you must answer on source-based questions. Normally, these questions are not broken down on a test, and you must remember to build each level yourself.

1. What does the source want you to THINK? 
2. What’s TRUE about the source? What do you THINK? 
3. What’s the source NOT telling you? What do you THINK? 
4. Do you TRUST it? What’s its PURPOSE? Who is it aimed at? 
5. Do you AGREE or DISAGREE (Strong Conclusion)?

In each case, you need to follow the formula:

1. Make 2 points for each of the above areas 1-3.
2. For each point, make an opening statement. i.e. “One of the facts that was true about this source is that there was growing male support for women’s suffrage with the opening of World War I.” 
3. Bring in another source to support your “point” (this comes from your research). You must “QUOTE” it and then CITE it (say who said it, when and where the source was found)... i.e. On April 4, 1983, historian Remo Williams said in an interview in the London Morning Gazette “... many men came out in support for Women’s Suffrage at the end of World War I”. 
4. Make a LOGICAL argument and brief conclusion. i.e. “Because of the need for many men to fight, that left a huge gap at the home front. Factories, for example, could not produce at the same levels without manpower. The same held true for many if not all areas of life. Thus, due to the lack of men, women for the first time stepped up and filled the desperately needed and vacant positions. Due to their valiant efforts, men became increasingly dependent on their ability to do jobs which were once exclusively in the realm of a male centric workforce.” 
5. Parts 2-3-4 make 1 Point. Do it again do complete 2 points before moving on to another section. 
6. Marking sample: You may be given 1 mark for each of 2 logical/valid points with argument (total 2) and another 1 mark each for a valid cited source from your research to support your argument. (total 2) 2+2 = 4 (for a 4 mark question). 
7. Sections 4 and 5 require a 1-3 paragraph response similar in function to the “explain” question’s 3rd section. Again, external sources and examples cited will support your points and show depth of knowledge. 
8. WARNING: NEVER answer a paper in bullet points. 
9. WARNING: NEVER fail to build your argument. Just stating an opinion does NOT answer the question.