3. evaluate the usefulness questions

Higher History exam How to answer…

Evaluate the usefulness

Mr Marr History

Higher History exam – Evaluate the usefulness

Background information

• Evaluate the usefulness questions are worth 6 marks

• You will get an Evaluate the usefulness question in the Scottish section of the final exam

• The purpose of these questions is to read a source and discuss how helpful it would be if you were researching a particular topic

Mr Marr History

Higher History exam – Evaluate the usefulness

Marking instructions

• Worth 6 marks

• Who made it? 1 mark• When was it made? 1 mark• Why was it made? 1 mark• Type of source 1 mark• Source content Up to 2 marks• Own knowledge Up to 2 marks

Mr Marr History

Origin and possible purpose

Higher History exam – Evaluate the usefulness

For each issue, always state:

‘Issue’ is / is not useful because

For example:

“The source was made in 1314 which is useful because…*”

* Make sure your point links to the question’s topic

Mr Marr History

Higher History exam – Evaluate the usefulness

Answer tips** Remember to write “is/is not useful because” **

Who made it? Who made the source? Why is this important?

When was it made? When was the source produced? Why is this important? What else was happening?

Type of source What type of source is it? Does this make it more or less reliable?

Why was it made? Why did the person or people make the source?

Source content What accurate facts about the question’s topic does the source tell us (you can give up to two)

Own knowledge What do you know about the topic? Are these facts missing from the source? (Up to two)

Higher History exam – Evaluate the usefulness

How to quote from sources

• When quoting from sources, you have to explain exactly why the quote is relevant to the question

• Also, state that the source is useful and accurate

Answer layoutSource A is useful because it contains accurateinformation such as “xxxxx” which shows that…

Mr Marr History

Higher History exam – Evaluate the usefulness

Example question

Mr Marr History

Evaluate the usefulness of Source

B as evidence of John Balliol’s

difficulties in ruling Scotland 1292–

1296?

6 marks

Source B: The Chronicle of Lanercost, the work of the canons of Lanercost Priory, 1272–1346.

In 1295, as the story goes, the Scots were unsuccessful in making John defy Edward, so they chose instead to replace his authority as King with a council of twelve peers. The Scots craftily sent envoys to the King of France to conspire against their lord, King Edward of England. The envoys took with them advisers, endeavouring to bring about war with England. After the report had reached the ears of my lord the King of England, he was very angry, and he commanded to the King of Scotland, to attend his parliament in accordance with his legal obligation both for the kingdom of Scotland and for lands owned by him within the English realm. But King John utterly refused to attend, and, which was worse, began assembling a large army to withstand the King of England. Hearing of this the King of England sent an expedition against the Scottish King, invading at Berwick.

Higher History exam – Evaluate the usefulness

Who made the source?Source B is from the Chronicle of Lanercost, which is useful because it covers a history of Scotland and England during the Wars of Independence. As it is written in an English chronicle it may be perceived to be anti-Scottish, limiting its overall effectiveness. (1 mark)

Mr Marr History

Higher History exam – Evaluate the usefulness

When was the source made?The source was written between 1272 and 1346, making it a largely primary source of key events during Balliol’s time as king. The fact that it was written and its content subsequently altered means it is useful because it takes account of new information, although could further suggest possible bias in its content. (1 mark)

Mr Marr History

Higher History exam – Evaluate the usefulness

Why was the source made?The source, like many others from the period, is useful because it was written to keep an account of Scottish and English relations during the period being covered, and possibly to also show King Edward’s strength, given the chronicle's sympathetic attitude to him. (1 mark)

Mr Marr History

Higher History exam – Evaluate the usefulness

What does the source tell us?The source is useful because it contains a range of accurate facts about Balliol’s problems as king. It says “the Scots were unsuccessful in making John defy Edward, so they chose instead to replace his authority as King with a council of twelve peers” which shows that because Balliol was constantly undermined by Edward the Scots chose a council of 12 Guardians to instead run Scotland. (1 mark)

Mr Marr History

Higher History exam – Evaluate the usefulness

What facts are missing?However the source is not fully useful as it fails to mention other difficulties faced by Balliol, such as the Scots’ defeat at the Battle of Dunbar, which ultimately ended his rule. (1 mark) It also fails to mention England’s destruction of Berwick before Dunbar when up to 15,000 Scots were killed. (1 mark)

Mr Marr History

Higher History exam – Evaluate the usefulness

Evaluate the usefulness of Source B as evidence of John Balliol’s

difficulties in ruling Scotland 1292–1296?

Source B is from the Chronicle of Lanercost, which is useful because it covers a history of Scotland and England during the Wars of Independence. As it is written in an English chronicle it may be perceived to be anti-Scottish, limiting its overall effectiveness. (1 mark)

The source was written between 1272 and 1346, making it a largely primary source of key events during Balliol’s time as king. The fact that it was written and its content subsequently altered makes it useful because it takes account of new information, although could further suggest possible bias in its content. (1 mark)

The source, like many others from the period, is useful because it was written to keep an account of Scottish English relations during the period, and possibly to also show King Edward’s strength, given the chronicle's sympathetic attitude to him. (1 mark)

The source is useful because it contains accurate facts about Balliol’s problems as king. It says “the Scots were unsuccessful in making John defy Edward, so they chose instead to replace his authority as King with a council of twelve peers” which shows that because Balliol was constantly undermined by Edward the Scots chose a council of 12 Guardians to instead run Scotland. (1 mark)

However the source is not fully useful as it fails to mention other difficulties, such as the Scots’ defeat at the Battle of Dunbar, which ultimately ended his rule. (1 mark) It also fails to mention England’s destruction of Berwick before Dunbar when up to 15,000 Scots were killed. (1 mark)

The source, like many others from the period, is useful because it was written to keep an account of Scottish English relations during the period, and possibly to also show King Edward’s strength, given the chronicle's sympathetic attitude to him. (1 mark)

The source is useful because it contains accurate facts about Balliol’s problems as king. It says “the Scots were unsuccessful in making John defy Edward, so they chose instead to replace his authority as King with a council of twelve peers” which shows that because Balliol was constantly undermined by Edward the Scots chose a council of 12 Guardians to instead run Scotland. (1 mark)

However the source is not fully useful as it fails to mention other difficulties, such as the Scots’ defeat at the Battle of Dunbar, which ultimately ended his rule. (1 mark) It also fails to mention England’s destruction of Berwick before Dunbar when up to 15,000 Scots were killed. (1 mark)

Higher History exam – Evaluate the usefulness

Evaluate the usefulness of Source B as evidence of John Balliol’s

difficulties in ruling Scotland 1292–1296?

Source B is from the Chronicle of Lanercost, which is useful because it covers a history of Scotland and England during the Wars of Independence. As it is written in an English chronicle it may be perceived to be anti-Scottish, limiting its overall effectiveness. (1 mark)

The source was written between 1272 and 1346, making it a largely primary source of key events during Balliol’s time as king. The fact that it was written and its content subsequently altered makes it useful because it takes account of new information, although could further suggest possible bias in its content. (1 mark)

Who made it? –State who made the source and

why this is useful

The source, like many others from the period, is useful because it was written to keep an account of Scottish English relations during the period, and possibly to also show King Edward’s strength, given the chronicle's sympathetic attitude to him. (1 mark)

The source is useful because it contains accurate facts about Balliol’s problems as king. It says “the Scots were unsuccessful in making John defy Edward, so they chose instead to replace his authority as King with a council of twelve peers” which shows that because Balliol was constantly undermined by Edward the Scots chose a council of 12 Guardians to instead run Scotland. (1 mark)

However the source is not fully useful as it fails to mention other difficulties, such as the Scots’ defeat at the Battle of Dunbar, which ultimately ended his rule. (1 mark) It also fails to mention England’s destruction of Berwick before Dunbar when up to 15,000 Scots were killed. (1 mark)

Higher History exam – Evaluate the usefulness

Evaluate the usefulness of Source B as evidence of John Balliol’s

difficulties in ruling Scotland 1292–1296?

Source B is from the Chronicle of Lanercost, which is useful because it covers a history of Scotland and England during the Wars of Independence. As it is written in an English chronicle it may be perceived to be anti-Scottish, limiting its overall effectiveness. (1 mark)

The source was written between 1272 and 1346, making it a largely primary source of key events during Balliol’s time as king. The fact that it was written and its content subsequently altered makes it useful because it takes account of new information, although could further suggest possible bias in its content. (1 mark)

When made? –State when the

source was made and why this is

useful

Higher History exam – Evaluate the usefulness

Evaluate the usefulness of Source B as evidence of John Balliol’s

difficulties in ruling Scotland 1292–1296?

Source B is from the Chronicle of Lanercost, which is useful because it covers a history of Scotland and England during the Wars of Independence. As it is written in an English chronicle it may be perceived to be anti-Scottish, limiting its overall effectiveness. (1 mark)

The source was written between 1272 and 1346, making it a largely primary source of key events during Balliol’s time as king. The fact that it was written and its content subsequently altered makes it useful because it takes account of new information, although could further suggest possible bias in its content. (1 mark)

Why made? –State why the

source was made and why this is

useful

The source, like many others from the period, is useful because it was written to keep an account of Scottish English relations during the period, and possibly to also show King Edward’s strength, given the chronicle's sympathetic attitude to him. (1 mark)

The source is useful because it contains accurate facts about Balliol’s problems as king. It says “the Scots were unsuccessful in making John defy Edward, so they chose instead to replace his authority as King with a council of twelve peers” which shows that because Balliol was constantly undermined by Edward the Scots chose a council of 12 Guardians to instead run Scotland. (1 mark)

However the source is not fully useful as it fails to mention other difficulties, such as the Scots’ defeat at the Battle of Dunbar, which ultimately ended his rule. (1 mark) It also fails to mention England’s destruction of Berwick before Dunbar when up to 15,000 Scots were killed. (1 mark)

Higher History exam – Evaluate the usefulness

Evaluate the usefulness of Source B as evidence of John Balliol’s

difficulties in ruling Scotland 1292–1296?

Source B is from the Chronicle of Lanercost, which is useful because it covers a history of Scotland and England during the Wars of Independence. As it is written in an English chronicle it may be perceived to be anti-Scottish, limiting its overall effectiveness. (1 mark)

The source was written between 1272 and 1346, making it a largely primary source of key events during Balliol’s time as king. The fact that it was written and its content subsequently altered makes it useful because it takes account of new information, although could further suggest possible bias in its content. (1 mark)

What does it tell us? – State up to

two relevant facts that the source

gives us

The source, like many others from the period, is useful because it was written to keep an account of Scottish English relations during the period, and possibly to also show King Edward’s strength, given the chronicle's sympathetic attitude to him. (1 mark)

The source is useful because it contains accurate facts about Balliol’s problems as king. It says “the Scots were unsuccessful in making John defy Edward, so they chose instead to replace his authority as King with a council of twelve peers” which shows that because Balliol was constantly undermined by Edward the Scots chose a council of 12 Guardians to instead run Scotland. (1 mark)

However the source is not fully useful as it fails to mention other difficulties, such as the Scots’ defeat at the Battle of Dunbar, which ultimately ended his rule. (1 mark) It also fails to mention England’s destruction of Berwick before Dunbar when up to 15,000 Scots were killed. (1 mark)

Higher History exam – Evaluate the usefulness

Evaluate the usefulness of Source B as evidence of John Balliol’s

difficulties in ruling Scotland 1292–1296?

Source B is from the Chronicle of Lanercost, which is useful because it covers a history of Scotland and England during the Wars of Independence. As it is written in an English chronicle it may be perceived to be anti-Scottish, limiting its overall effectiveness. (1 mark)

The source was written between 1272 and 1346, making it a largely primary source of key events during Balliol’s time as king. The fact that it was written and its content subsequently altered makes it useful because it takes account of new information, although could further suggest possible bias in its content. (1 mark)

What is it missing? – State

up to tworelevant facts that

the source does not include

The source, like many others from the period, is useful because it was written to keep an account of Scottish English relations during the period, and possibly to also show King Edward’s strength, given the chronicle's sympathetic attitude to him. (1 mark)

The source is useful because it contains accurate facts about Balliol’s problems as king. It says “the Scots were unsuccessful in making John defy Edward, so they chose instead to replace his authority as King with a council of twelve peers” which shows that because Balliol was constantly undermined by Edward the Scots chose a council of 12 Guardians to instead run Scotland. (1 mark)

However the source is not fully useful as it fails to mention other difficulties, such as the Scots’ defeat at the Battle of Dunbar, which ultimately ended his rule. (1 mark) It also fails to mention England’s destruction of Berwick before Dunbar when up to 15,000 Scots were killed. (1 mark)

Higher History exam How to answer…

Evaluate the usefulness

It’s that simple!Mr Marr History