What are the steps in answering a source based question?

The best way to tackle a source based question is to use CATPAD. In this:

C: Content, i.e. what is actually in the source

A: Author, i.e. whow wrote it, if they had any pre-exisiting beliefs you know about

T: Tone, i.e. the inflection of words and ideas they are therefore trying to portray

P: Purpose, i.e. why the author created the source in the first place, if they have any ulterior motives.

A: Audience, i.e. who the source was written for, can be linked to purpose closely

D: Date, i.e. when the source was written and if this has any historical importance, for example whether it was written before of after the Russian Revolutions of 1917.

If a source question asks you to compare the soruces it is impoartant you compare then on these levels and that you do not bunch the sources into types and only compare them in these bunches - try to compare as many as possible in as many different ways as possible.

BP
Answered by Beth P. History tutor

16499 Views

See similar History GCSE tutors

Related History GCSE answers

All answers ▸

How would I approach a 'to what extent...' question in my exam?


In what ways were the lives of women in Germany affected by Nazi social policies?


How do I answer the source section in my GCSE exam?


What is the difference between the exam technique for an "outline" or "state" question and an "explain" or "discuss" question?


We're here to help

contact us iconContact ustelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

MyTutor is part of the IXL family of brands:

© 2025 by IXL Learning