HSC Modern History exam - Q&A | State Library of New South Wales

Historians' quotes and other evidence

How important is it to include historian quotes in extended responses?: It is not necessary to use quotes from historians to obtain a Band 6 – if you look at any of the HSC Modern History marking guidelines, they do not specifically reference historiography.
Do we always have to integrate quotes?: The only time must integrate quotes is when you have been given a stimulus source – you must use that to answer the question. It is your choice whether you choose to underline or highlight it. You should try to make your use of the sources as clear to the marker as possible.
What is the best way to integrate sources in essay responses? Do we need to remember quotes word for word?: You do not need to memorise a whole string of quotes; paraphrasing a historian, or using even a single word can have more impact, as you are showing the marker you are making it part of your own writing.
You do not gain marks for using historians’ quotes but you can gain marks for integrating interpretation and evidence into your response. Do not use a quote for the sake of using a quote.
Would we lose marks if we mix up our historians when paraphrasing?: You do not “lose” marks for mixing up historians, but you won’t gain marks, either.
Would it be worthwhile to remember quotes by Historians for each topic?: Do NOT just drop in a quote like a shopping list; it is critical that you integrate it. That means you muse weave it into your argument. Look at examples from The Writing Revolution (Hochman & Wexler, 2017) such as their “Because/But/So.”
For example, this is a quote from AJP Taylor on Hitler’s role in causing World War II: "They (the Western Powers) failed to allow for the fact that Hitler was a gambler who would play for high stakes with inadequate resources." AJP Taylor, The Origins of the Second World War (1961, p102 ebook)
Here is how you could use it:
Taylor states that the Allies failed to see Hitler as a "gambler"…
but Taylor's research at the time was limited to due to his inability to access German archives, and as such, should not be considered.
or
because he was willing to take on France in the Ruhr and Rhineland with minimal military.
Or
so they were unable to predict what might happen next.
NOTE: The whole quote has not been used, rather one word or a paraphrase can pack more punch.
If not historian quotes, what kind of evidence can we use in our essays and how would we cite that in the essay?: Another way to use historians is the idea of “springboards” and “punching bags”. Use a historian’s idea to launch your own argument (springboard), or take it down with your own argument (punching bag). This shows you integrating their ideas into yours, which is much more powerful than just a quote.
For example, this is a quote from an interview with Richard Overy, as published on the WW2 History website, about the causes of World War II: “They develop in 1939 some ideal view of Western values and Western civilization and Hitler clearly violates them all.”
As a springboard: Overy’s view that World War II began as a moral crisis for Great Britain and France takes into consideration their long term position as world leaders who could not walk away from Hitler’s actions.
As a punching bag: Overy’s view that World War II began as a moral crisis for Great Britain and France fails to adequately address the aggression displayed by Germany and Italy, or the worrying idea of the expansion of socialism.
Other forms of evidence; The more specific detail you have, the better, but make sure there is a balance. Some statistics, some events, some examples of propaganda, etc. Again, it’s not how much you use, but how well you use it to support your argument.
Almost anything can be used as evidence to support your claims, but it must be relevant to the question. You can use: posters, maps, meeting notes, photographs, buildings, primary film footage, letters, diaries, newspapers, textbooks, wallets, statistical graphs, anything – as long as it relates to the point you are making.

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HSC Modern History exam - Q&A

Historians' quotes and other evidence

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