For the purposes of this revision resource, you will be working with an essay question from the 2014 VCE Australian history exam. The question is as follows:
'Australians responded with enthusiasm to the outbreak of World War I, but this enthusiasm was not maintained. To what extent do you agree with this statement?'
The most important thing to remember when planning your response to this is that few issues in history are black and white. It is okay to challenge the assertions in an essay question. The question has been structured to allow you to develop an argument, to express your opinions on the topic. The key is to ensure that your argument and supporting evidence are relevant to the question. Be sure to 'answer the question, the whole question and nothing but the question'.
The 2014 examiner's report suggested that 'The very best responses often challenged the question's assertions and argued that the issue was a complex one requiring a thorough examination of the evidence' (VCAA 2014).
Keep these things in mind when completing your next tasks.
'Australians responded with enthusiasm to the outbreak of World War I, but this enthusiasm was not maintained. To what extent do you agree with this statement?'
The most important thing to remember when planning your response to this is that few issues in history are black and white. It is okay to challenge the assertions in an essay question. The question has been structured to allow you to develop an argument, to express your opinions on the topic. The key is to ensure that your argument and supporting evidence are relevant to the question. Be sure to 'answer the question, the whole question and nothing but the question'.
The 2014 examiner's report suggested that 'The very best responses often challenged the question's assertions and argued that the issue was a complex one requiring a thorough examination of the evidence' (VCAA 2014).
Keep these things in mind when completing your next tasks.
Task 1
The first thing you need to do in preparing your response to this question is to identify the key words and concepts in the question. Once you have done this, create a plan for your essay, outlining in dot-points your key arguments and supporting evidence.
Post your plan to the forum, give feedback on at least one of your peers' plans before moving on to task two.
The first thing you need to do in preparing your response to this question is to identify the key words and concepts in the question. Once you have done this, create a plan for your essay, outlining in dot-points your key arguments and supporting evidence.
Post your plan to the forum, give feedback on at least one of your peers' plans before moving on to task two.
Task 2
Use the feedback from your peer to adjust any aspects of your essay plan you feel need to be changed. Ensure that your have 35 - 40 minutes where you will be uninterrupted. Then, drawing on your knowledge, class notes, earlier responses, resources and evidence on this site, write your essay response to the question:
'Australians responded with enthusiasm to the outbreak of World War I, but this enthusiasm was not maintained. To what extent do you agree with this statement?'
Write your essay on paper in black or blue pen. Aim to write 1000 words, but remember that relevance and quality is more important than quantity. Use only the time allowed to write your essay.
When the time is up, review your essay and mark any changes you would make to the essay in a different colour. Ask your parent/guardian or a friend to do the same thing and bring your essay in to your next class.
Use the feedback from your peer to adjust any aspects of your essay plan you feel need to be changed. Ensure that your have 35 - 40 minutes where you will be uninterrupted. Then, drawing on your knowledge, class notes, earlier responses, resources and evidence on this site, write your essay response to the question:
'Australians responded with enthusiasm to the outbreak of World War I, but this enthusiasm was not maintained. To what extent do you agree with this statement?'
Write your essay on paper in black or blue pen. Aim to write 1000 words, but remember that relevance and quality is more important than quantity. Use only the time allowed to write your essay.
When the time is up, review your essay and mark any changes you would make to the essay in a different colour. Ask your parent/guardian or a friend to do the same thing and bring your essay in to your next class.