How do I structure and what do I include in my OPVL for paper I?

The easiest structure for you as a student and for the examiner is to separate origins, purpose, values and limitation into four separate paragraphs. Even if one or two of your paragraphs is only a sentence long, it will be easier for the examiner to find your analysis for each section. For example, the origins and purpose of a source are usually a straight forward single sentence. The value and limitations are a bit more complicated. Therefore, having them separate is easier for you to analyse and for the examiner to read and understand. 

As for content, the origins and purpose are simple. The origins are found directly in the caption provided beneath the source including the author, date etc, making your job easier. Similarly, the purpose is also found into the caption though more implicitly. Sometimes you have to consider the language of the text itself: for example. the emotive language in a political speech might suggest a persuasive purpose. For example, a value of a source can be derived from it’s author (thus, it’s origin). If the source is a political speech written by Winston Churchill in the midst of a peacekeeping conference, a value would be Churchill’s dominant political position within this period. The speech would reveal an accurate representation of the political climate at the time, adding value to the source. Equally, a limitation of a source can be derived from it’s text type (hence, purpose). For example, considering how Churchill’s speech is of political intentions, these intentions can suggest political bias as it’s aim is to persuade those at the conference to oblige by Churchill’s arguments. In turn, the political subjectivity can be a limitation in the analysis of the source. 

Over all, the structure and content compliment each other. By maintaining a clear structure, the more complicated section of the OPVL (the content) will as a result also be clearer. 

AK
Answered by Athina K. History tutor

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