How can I structure my argument to get full marks in an 8 mark question?

An 8 mark question allows you to talk about two key points. Each point will need an example and then an explanation of the example in relation to the topic in the question. So you could structure your answer with PEEL (point, example, explanation, link back to question) as follows:
Introduction - State your argument clearly by outlining your two key points (e.g. "Two ways that the lives of German people were affected by events during the early years of the Weimar Republic, 1919-1923, were ... and ....).
Paragraph 1 - P - Use a topic sentence to tells us your first point, and state your reasoning for choosing this point. (e.g. German film affected people because...). E - State an example of your point.EL - Explain how this example affects the subject in the question (e.g. "This affected German people by...")
Paragraph 2 - Same as paragraph 1 but with your second point
Conclusion - Summarise your argument by briefly explaining how your points affect the subject in the question (e.g. "Ultimately, both German film and hyperinflation affected the lives of German people by...)
Also, to ensure you get full marks, find examples that cover the whole time period in the question (e.g. German film since 1919 and hyperinflation which occurred in 1923).

MW
Answered by Maya W. History tutor

54206 Views

See similar History GCSE tutors

Related History GCSE answers

All answers ▸

What's your advice for approaching source questions in a GCSE history paper?


To what extent did the legacies of European colonisation contribute to the Rwandan genocide of 1994?


What is the significance of 1832 Reform Act in Britain?


Why was Archduke Franz Ferdinand Assassinated and how was this a catalyst for WW1?


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