Introduction to A-Level History
The field of history education is growing rapidly. According to Market Data Forecast, the global higher education market is expected to reach$84.61 billion in 2024 and is projected to grow to $131.98 billion by 2029. In 2022, 42,885 students chose A-Level history, a 3.1% increase from the previous year.
Learning about the past helps us understand why things are the way they are today. A-level history coursework involves analyzing and evaluating such historical events by writing essays on various topics.
To write A-level history coursework, you need reliable sources and analytical thinking skills to understand the causes and effects of events. This task can be challenging, so students often seek coursework writing help. There are services available to assist with history coursework writing.
Let’s discuss some proven techniques for writing A-level history coursework in 2024.
A-Level History Meaning
According to Oxford Sixth Form College, A-level history is a respected two-year course that many universities value. It is great for preparing students in humanities and teaches important skills like questioning, arguing, and counterarguing. These skills are useful in law, politics, philosophy, and business courses. The course also helps with science applications by showcasing strong critical essay-writing abilities.
During the two years, students engage in class debates, analyze contemporary sources, and dive into in-depth studies about historians’ interpretations. The specific topics covered may vary between schools and exam boards, but the Edexcel specification includes things like Lancastrians, Yorkists, and Henry VII.
Completing A-level history opens up pathways to degrees in history, Law, English, and Philosophy. This, in turn, leads to diverse and interesting career opportunities.
What Topics Are Covered in A-Level History?
A-Level history covers a lot of different topics to give students a broad understanding of historical events.
Some popular topics include:
- Russian Dictatorship (1855-1992)
- Civil Rights in the USA
- Democracy and Dictatorship in Germany (1919-1963)
- Mid-Tudor Crises (1536-1569)
Even though A-level history may seem easy initially, writing coursework can be tough. Many students struggle due to a lack of clear guidance. If you find it challenging, don’t worry; you can get help from professional writers. This post will also give you tips on how to write your coursework effectively.
How to Pick a Topic?
Pick a topic you are interested in for your history coursework, and come up with questions that meet two rules:
- It should not overlap with the content covered in examination components.
- Connect the topic to events that happened around 100 years ago.
A-Level History Example
Over the past 100 years, you can explore a topic in two ways. First, choose a subject and ask a question about how it changed or developed during this time. Another option is to focus on a specific problem but discuss it in the context of the last 100 years.
For example, you could ask:
This question is about the Cuban missile crisis and how it fits into the bigger picture of the relationship between the two countries over the last hundred years.
A-Level History Coursework Percentage
- The Unit 1 exam takes 1 hour and 30 minutes, making up 25% of the A-level grade.
- Unit 2 is a 1-hour exam contributing 15% to the A-level grade.
- Unit 3 is a longer 2-hour and 30-minute exam, and it holds the most weight, contributing 40% to the A-level grade.
- The remaining 20% of the A-level grade comes from writing essays on specific topics.
How to Research A-Level History Coursework?
- When working on your coursework, look up information in books, articles, or online; keeping track of where you found things is important.
- Use a bibliography to list all the sources you check.
- As you read, take notes on the main points the author is making.
- Write down important quotes or parts, and mention where you got that information.
- If you use these notes in your writing, be sure to include the references to give credit to the original sources.
A-Level History Structure
Wondering how to start writing your coursework on history? Starting your history coursework is important, and planning is key. Break it down into three main parts:
1. Introduction
Begin by introducing your topic with some background information and your thesis statement. This statement is like the main idea of your coursework. Consider starting with a fact or asking a relevant question to make your introduction interesting. Keep your language academic and professional.
To support your points in the introduction:
- Use evidence and facts.
- Include references for these facts.
- If you find it challenging, don’t hesitate to ask for help from teachers, friends, or professionals.
A strong start in the introduction sets the tone for the rest of your coursework.
2. Body
When working on your coursework, think of the main part as the heart of your writing. Break it down into smaller sections and subsections, adding headings and subheadings based on your topic.
In this main body, you need to:
- Present your main arguments and discuss any opposing views with references.
- Make sure your writing flows well for clarity.
- Share your own opinions and explain others’ quotes in your own words, giving them credit.
- Connect these quotes to your perspective and include other historians’ views in the same paragraph.
- Use a table to organize data, supporting your analysis with historical evidence and backing up your interpretation with statistics.
- Recognize any limitations in your interpretation by mentioning what you haven’t covered.
- Transition to the next interpretation, pointing out both similarities and differences with the previous one. Conclude your essay using a similar format.
3. Conclusion
To wrap up your coursework:
- Use two reliable sources that give detailed information to back up your answer.
- Briefly repeat your main point, summing up everything you wrote.
- Explain why the evidence you used is important.
- In the conclusion, give a complete answer to the coursework question.
- When making your final decision, consider the entire period, looking at how things stayed the same and changed, just like you did in the rest of your coursework.
Top 8 Tips to Write Your A-Level History Coursework
Tip 1: Plan Your Approach
To begin your coursework, it’s important to make a plan and come up with questions that will guide your work. Find trustworthy sources that match what you want to write about. Keep track of any problems you encounter while gathering information. Once you have a clear plan, move on to the next step – research and gather relevant data from reliable sources. It will help you stick to your plan and finish everything on time.
Tip 2: Conduct Thorough Research
When working on your coursework, it’s crucial to spend time researching to find reliable information. Look for information in academic journals, books, publications, research papers, and scholarly articles. Don’t forget to explore libraries, museums, and online databases for valuable resources.
Once you gather information, organize it carefully and reference your sources properly. Throughout this process, show genuine interest in historical events. It will not only make your writing outstanding but also increase your chances of success.
Tip 3: Organize Your Work Effectively
Write your coursework like a standard academic essay. Start with an introduction, then have a middle part where you explain your ideas (body), and finally, end with a conclusion. If there is no specific way to organize it, ensure you understand the question well and support your arguments. Begin with a strong introduction that makes your point clear.
Tip 4: Answer Questions Clearly
Your A-level history coursework has some questions you need to answer. Start by explaining the topic and your viewpoint clearly. Use historical evidence and examples to support your side. Refer to the information you found in your readings, and make sure to cite quotes from different sources. It will make your answers strong and reliable.
Tip 5: Adhere to Word Limits
Stick to the word limit given. If it says 2000 words, don’t go over. Going beyond the limit can lead to repeating things and might get you in trouble for surpassing the word count. Follow your institution’s guidelines about how many words to use and how to format your coursework.
Tip 6: Craft the Draft
Before you start writing your coursework, planning ahead is a good idea. Experts recommend creating a rough version first to catch and fix any mistakes. After doing your research:
- Make a list of what you want to include in your coursework and what to avoid.
- Get new ideas, organize your thoughts, and use reliable sources for information.
- Once you have a draft, look at it to ensure it makes sense, has a good structure, and flows well. It will help you improve your writing and make it excellent.
Tip 7: Revise and Edit
We all know that revising and editing are important for improving your work. You should carefully go through your coursework to fix grammar, typos, and spelling errors. Also, double-check the information and its sources in your A-level history coursework to ensure accuracy and avoid mistakes that could affect your grades.
These steps are essential to have well-cited and well-written content. Once you have revised, focus on formatting and submit your finished work for feedback.
Tip 8: Format and Submit
Before you submit your coursework:
- Take the time to organize and arrange your writing properly.
- Check your institute’s guidelines on how they want things like formatting and citing to be done.
- Once you are done writing, create a neat list at the end showing where you got all your information from – a bibliography.
Also, when you collect information, think carefully about it and be aware of any possible biases. After you have written and checked everything thoroughly, hand it to your instructor on time.
Word Limit in History Coursework A-Level
Your A-level history coursework should be between 3000 and 4000 words. Going below 3000 or above 4000 words could affect your marks. If your assignment is more than 10% over the maximum word count, it might be seen as not concise and could impact your marks, even if other parts are good. So, try to stay within the given word range for the best results.
Final Thoughts
Creating a strong A-level history coursework can be tough, especially if you struggle with research and grammar. But with the right corrections, it’s possible. Follow these easy strategies to make a great paper that impresses your instructor and gets you good marks.
However, if you have a lot of other things to do and don’t have enough time to write your coursework, you can seek coursework writing help online from experts. You can also buy A-level history coursework to get good grades.
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