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

Approaching the source section of the GCSE paper can be tricky, it's important to spend at least 5 minutes reading the sources, the questions and all the information provided by the exam. Once you've read through the sources thoroughly it is worth drawing a very brief plan to ensure that you present a balanced argument to the examiner. When analysing an individual source its important to consider the following: Purpose, Artist, Context and Tone. Purpose, what is the reason why the source was created? What is the author/artist trying to portray? Can you infer anything else from the source beside the core message? Artist, who wrote the source and what bearing might that have upon the source? Are they writing a personal account? Context, using your own knowledge to place the source within the correct historical context not only allows you to understand the source in more depth, but, it also allows to bring your own knowledge into your answer. Tone, in the case of a cartoon is it satirical? Is it a news report? Asking these type of questions will ensure the purpose of the source is not missed. All these questions that you ask yourself at the beginning of the exam ensure that you approach the source section with the right mindset.