Student Study Notes: History Essay Questions

STUDY TIPS

Several types of questions are common at HSC level. Be aware of them and learn to recognise them. Each type demands a different response. Sometimes a question will combine two or more of the basic questions, and in these cases you must make sure that you answer each part of the question adequately. (cf. S. Coupe. Modern history exam questions. Strathfield: Clearway, 1981)

Describe
Give an account of
Give a brief outline of

These questions are all straightforward narrative ones. They ask you to provide the relevant information about the topic. To do this you must: know the facts; select relevant ones; organise them into a meaningful essay

EXAMPLES

Give an account of the main features of the New Deal.
Describe the steps in the unification of Germany.
Give a brief outline of the major events of World War II.

Account for
Explain why
What were the causes of
What were the results of

These types of questions are grouped together because they all ask you to explain historical events. Be careful to notice the difference between 'give an account of' (ie. Describe) and 'account for' (ie. Explain why). These questions require not only an understanding of what happened but also of why it happened and what were the results

EXAMPLES

Why did Hitler come to power in Germany in 1933?
What were the causes of the Russian Revolution of 1917?
Account for the collapse of the Manchus in 1911.
Explain why Japan began an expansionist policy at the end of the nineteenth century.
What were the results of the New Deal?

Discuss
Comment on
Evaluate
Do you agree with
Examine

These questions ask you to form an opinion and make an evaluation based on your historical knowledge. Often these questions begin with a statement or quotation and you are asked to examine, discuss, comment on or evaluate it. Remember that you do not have to agree with the statement or quotation, but you must be able to support your opinion with suitable historical evidence.

EXAMPLES

Discuss the theory that the United Nations has been a failure.
'The foundations of the Cold War were laid during World War II.' Discuss this statement.

Compare
Contrast
Compare and contrast

These questions ask you to point out and comment on the similarities and differences between two sets of events.

EXAMPLES

Compare the policies of Chiang Kai-shek and Mao Tse-tung in dealing with the Japanese threat to China.
Compare and contrast the aims and methods of Cavour and Garibaldi.