How to structure an A-level History essay?

The important part to any History A-Level is the structure, as it not only shows the examiner your understanding of the question but also your level of knowledge. As an effectively structured argument can make all the difference to your essay. During GCSE often people follow the structural pattern of PEEL (Point-Evidence- Explanation- Link), this method however often does not suit A-level History questions due to the complexity of the questions. For instance, PEEL would not be an effective means of answering the question: ‘Before 1785, pressure to reform the political system in Britain was extremely limited’ How far do you agree with this opinion? (June 2011) Instead, there is another approach, this one is tailored around the language of the question. You need to first identify what the question is asking? What period it is asking about? And lastly how it wants you to answer it. A key way to show in the introduction you know what you are doing is by defining the key feature of this question, in this case it would be identifying that ‘political system’ was made up of three variations of reform: Constitutional, Economical and Radical. Ideally in the introduction you would then define and introduce the features of each type of reform, thus setting up your comparative element to your essay. Next you need to create a form of criteria to which you will use to effectively answer the question and as a means of comparing each of the reforms against each other. Then introduce at the end what you will be arguing throughout the essay. In this case the structure of the essay would be dictated by the assessment of each of the forms of reform, each type of reform would have their own section detailing whether or not the movement was ‘extremely limited’. However, it is important to always make sure while comparing and contrasting the different factors of the essay that you are referring back to the question. As this a key way of showing the examiner that you understand the question and have a high level effective essay. Lastly, the conclusion should mirror your introduction, it should never introduce new information as throughout the essay your argument will present your knowledge and ideas. Keeping it concise is a very effective way of not only saving time but also showing your overall knowledge and understanding of the question. But remember always that originality in an essay is great however it becomes brilliant once you apply it to the information and evidence you already know! So remember to always relate your ideas to evidence and sources from the period.