How should I structure and plan a Section B question? (Edexcel)

With the Section B questions you will be asked to engage with a set of sources that are related to a historical debate relevant to your course. Before jumping straight into answering the question though you've chosen (out of the two available), you should plan your answer for at least 10 minutes, maybe 15 if you finished Section A with time to spare.

You'll need to carefully examine the sources, looking for points where you can cross-reference between them. These cross-referenced points will help to form the main points and arguments of your essay, so it is helpful to note them down wherever you are planning your answer.

Most of the Section B questions are essentially 'for and against' style questions, so with this in mind it is important to have a balanced essay, and you can ensure this by analysing the sources looking for points of corroboration on either side of the debate.

You are presented with three sources, and so you should be able to form two arguments for either side of the debate, and if you can link them in any way even better. If you are struggling though to find two for either side, don't worry, having three arguments is okay, just try and make the arguments as balanced as possible.

When you have finalised your arguments, analyse the sources again and see if you can bring in any extra knowledge from your revision that can support or challenge what is being said in the source. This will improve your argument, as it shows a wider understanding of the debate, and is an impressive historical skill. This extra knowledge can also be used to assess the value of the sources used, as your knowledge and ability to confirm or challenge arguments presented will strengthen the argument you are trying to make in your essay.

The idea of extra knowledge in your essay is also relevant to your introduction and conclusion, as it can help to contextualise your argument at the start of the essay, and in turn add conviction to your ultimate argument at the end of it.

When planning then, make sure you include the extra knowledge in some form in your plan, as it can not only remind you when you need it, but also demonstrate to the marker your understanding of the topic.

Section B questions are difficult, and understandably can cause stress when approaching the exam. But if you go into it with the right mentality and understanding of how you will approach the question, knowing how you want to structure the essay and simply filling it in with the source's and information relevant to it, then hopefully you can be confident and calm, and achieve the grade you want.

I hope this was helpful for you! If you have any questions or queries then please do not hesitate to get in contact with me, and I can hopefully help you resolve them.

Charlie