How do you effectively respond to an interpretation question?

In order to do so, you first need to break down the view of the Historian. This can seem daunting, but if you follow the steps of: highlighting their overarching view, highlighting smaller elements that they hone in on in their view (such as Henry 8th's want to be with Anne Boleyn as reasoning behind an overarching view of his break with Rome being a personal over a political matter), and highlighting how they convey this view (i.e. through a metaphor). Then, you need to have one paragraph dedicated to strengths of the view/what makes it more convincing, and then a paragraph highlighting weaknesses in the view/what makes it less convincing. Whilst simultaneously analysing to what extent these strengths/weaknesses effect the overarching convincing nature of the view. Following this, you can subsequently bring your own judgement to the forefront as to how convincing this is in weighing up the pros and cons of the historians argument in your conclusion.

Answered by History tutor

13065 Views

See similar History A Level tutors

Related History A Level answers

All answers ▸

Why was there rebellions against Henry VII in 1485 to 1487?


“Financial & Economic problems were the most serious domestic problem faced by Philip II- Assess the validity of this view


Explain why the death of Edward IV caused a political crisis in England in 1483 (AQA AS paper)


To what extent was terror the enabling factor for Stalin's control over the Party in the years 1928-53?


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:

© 2026 by IXL Learning