How do I use the extracts in the source booklet in my answers?

GCSE History is great because it lets you work like a real life historian, examining evidence from the past and weighing it up! The Sources paper is an important part of this, and it lets you show off your analytical skills. A good tip is to use two different highlighters. Read the question carefully and highlight the two main points of view in different colours. Then, when you read the sources, you can highlight words or phrases which support those different views in your two different colours. Now you can structure your answer based around this opposition and including direct quotations from the text. Remember, it's unlikely that a source will only support one side of the argument. It's important to point out contradictions and inconsistencies! Another crucial step is to consider the context of the source. You will be told where the extract is taken from, who wrote it and when it was written or published. Pay special attention to these details - they can explain why the might author have taken a particular stance, or give an idea about how reliable their testimony might be. Think like a detective; don't take the authors at their word!