A HISTORY STUDY GUIDE

INTRODUCTION
This is for all you history students out there who are wondering what is the most effective and efficient process to prepare for the examination.


LECTURE
1.Listen attentively to what the lecturer has to say because important aspects of topic will be highlighted, hints might be dropped for certain upcoming assignments/tests
2. ask questions when in doubt
3. write down additional notes the lecturer says

SELF STUDY
1. re-organize notes into summaries and answer plans (points substantiated by evidence)
2. submit essays to history teacher if time permits, try to cover as many aspects as possible

REVISION
1. read through notes once through if time permits for familiarization purposes
2. re-read doubtful parts
3. read through summaries (timeline)
4. read prepared answer plans-types of questions: causes, impact, specific questions

COPING WITH TESTS AND PROJECTS
1. prepare well in advance, do all readings several weeks before test
2. go through answer plans the night before
3. ensure adequate rest

WHAT ARE THE PROBLEMS FACED BY THE INDIVIDUAL STUDENT?

DURING PREPARATION

1. Huge amount of content to cover, insufficient preparation time
Reason: this is the nature of history; need to cover many aspects of the issue
Implication: inefficiency, fail to achieve desired grades, may eat into studying time for other subjects
Solution: plan time correctly and use the method advocated

2. Failure to familiarize with the contents
Implication: cannot possibly fulfill minimum requirements of test as basic understanding is required for a pass
Solution: Read and re-read the notes as necessary, annotating significant events as you go along

3. Failure to understand syllabus requirements
Reason: failure to check what is required
Implication: lack of direction in studying
Solution: obtain syllabus requirements and familiarize before starting to study


4.Failure to recognize the significance of events
Reason: wrong method used to study, reading and re-reading of notes will not help
Implication: inability to score well in essay as evidence used is immaterial
Solution: create answer plans tailored for each specific requirement; summarize notes into a timeline if necessary to obtain proper perspective

5.Insufficient analysis
Reason: failure to analyse evidence
Implication: might be handicapped during test with time constraint as issue has not been analysed fully during preparation
Solution: analyse arguments and perspectives beforehand


ESSAY TECHNIQUES


COMMON PROBLEMS

1. Incorrect Arguments
reason: fail to gain grasp of argumentative positions within essay
implication: will barely pass essay
solution: study various perspectives to gain a feel of the issue. Can either argue via conventional viewpoints. Can have own unique viewpoint too but must be able to substantiate with compelling evidence.

2. Lack of Evidence
reason: failure to familiarize self with content
implication: can get 14-16/25 at most
solution: when studying answer plans, must note the key points and the specific evidence attached to it

3. Lack of Analysis
reason: concentrate too much on listing points and examples, minimal analysis
implication: cannot score high, grade ‘A’s
solution: remember that history is an analytical subject, needs your evaluation of an opinion. Focus more on answering the question, not just listing examples. (will get minimal credit for it)

IMMEDIATELY BEFORE EXAMINATION: STUDY PREPARED ANSWER PLANS
1. create a brief answer plan; jot down key points and evidence; might have to modify prepared answer plans
2. concentrate on analysis more than listing evidence


EVALUATION
1. Evaluate the marked scripts returned by the teacher if possible- find out strengths, weaknesses for the particular question


TIME SAVING PRACTICES
1. obtain scripts and answer plans prepared by seniors to get additional perspectives
2. create peer study groups to prepare answer plans for different aspects and share
3. discuss questions with peers if time permits


PROCESS