How should I approach Section Two of the .HAT. test?

The HAT. test is made up of three sections, the second of which is a single, thematic essay question that can be answered in relation to nearly any historical period or event. It is highly likely that you will be able to find some relevance in the essay title to the historical topic you are studying at A Level, but you can even use a topic from GCSE or your own reading if you are inventive enough with the evidence. Remember, historical imagination is just as important as factual knowledge, and those marking your exam will be particularly impressed if you can pick apart a subject and view it from a different angle in order to answer the question. The Section Two questions are broad and open-ended, and so sets the challenge of writing a coherent answer with a clear direction and argument. There is a four-pronged approach which I found very helpful in achieving this. Firstly, reading, re-reading and understanding the question. It is really vital that your answer is focused on what you have been asked, and the most admirable answers will address the question from start to finish without superfluous tangents. The second step is establishing your argument. Decide which direction your essay will follow and stick to it! Of course, briefly discussing a counter-argument is valuable, but having a clearly stated end-point shows your decisiveness and commitment to convince your reader. The third step is your use of evidence. Choosing which pieces of evidence you bring into your argument, and how, is very important as your attention to relevance and effectiveness is being assessed. You should use the most demonstrative, contrasting and convincing evidence to consistently support your points, as this will create a solid foundation for your argument. Lastly, in order to achieve a well-structured and clearly expressed answer, you should ensure that you briefly plan your answer before writing it. If you have intention and conciseness in your writing, it will better demonstrate the first three parts of this guide and will best allow examiners to see your potential.