Write down what you think the formula is for
answering this type of question successfully. i.e.
How would you structure your answer?
Did you have the following?
o Identify what the main message of the cartoon
is. (L4 - 4 marks = C grade)
o Support the message with details from the
cartoon. (L5 - 5 marks = A grade)
o Also support the message by contextual
knowledge. (L6 - 6 marks = A* grade)
Main Message
The British think that
the Kaiser wants to
build up a great
Empire, to rival theirs.
He is going to do this
by gaining control over
a large number of
countries.
L4 - 4 marks = C grade
Contextual Knowledge
Supporting details
The Kaiser is shown as
larger than life – looking
down at the many
different countries. L5
Supporting details
The figures of many
different countries are
bowing down to the
Kaiser, which shows that
he has power over them.
L5
In the early 20th century,
most of Europe & parts of
the world were ruled by the
British & French. The British
navy was the greatest in the
world. Britain & Germany
Supporting details
had become rivals & Germany
The words support the
was jealous of Britain &
picture as they say the
wanted its share of power.
Kaiser has had a dream
The postcard supports this
that, ‘The world is mine’.
as Germany has gone to war
L5 – 5 marks = A grade
in 1914 believing they would
win & then be the most
powerful nation in the world. A postcard published in Britain in 1915. The central figure is the Kaiser.
L6 – 6 marks = A* grade
The other figures represent various countries.
If your target grade is an A*-B grade
you MUST try to write a 5 or 6 mark
answer.
If your target grade is a C-E grade you
MUST try to write a 4 or 5 mark
answer.
Find someone in the class who has the same or
a higher target grade than you & ask them to
read & mark your answer.
On a post-it note, give the person feedback on
their answer – say what they did to achieve
the mark given, e.g. You achieved this
level/mark because you ...
If they didn’t achieve 6/6 give them a tip on
what they can do to improve their work, e.g. To
improve your level/mark you need to ...
Level 3 – 3 marks = E grade
Says what the message of the
cartoon is but with no development.
Level 4 – 4 marks = D grade
Explains the message of the cartoon
using details from the source OR
contextual knowledge.
Level 5 – 5-6 marks = B/A grade
Explains the PURPOSE of the
source, i.e. Why was the cartoon
published.
Level 6 – 7 marks = A* grade
Explains the PURPOSE of the
source, i.e. Why was the cartoon
published, but in addition focuses
specifically on the date – August
1914.
This cartoon depicts the large menacing figure of
Germany brandishing a large club (representing her
military strength) at a small boy that is Belgium. The
boy is protecting his property by refusing entry to
Germany. The caption ‘Bravo Belgium!’ clearly shows the
cartoon on the side of the small boy of Belgium, giving
him praise for his work. I know from my studies that
Germany wanted to avoid a war on two fronts and so
used the Schlieffen Plan by which German troops would
go through Belgium to attack France.
On your whiteboard give this answer a level and then
a mark – make sure you have a reason why you have
awarded this.
One of the reasons why this source was published was to
encourage the British public to praise and thank Belgium for
standing up to Germany and delaying their advance under the
Schlieffen Plan. The small country of Belgium had put up heroic
resistance to the might of the German military bringing time for
Britain to mobilise its troops. The German invasion happened on
the 4th August 1914. Also this cartoon would anger the British
as Germany is shown as the bully attacking someone much
smaller and this would encourage men to join up. Another
purpose was to warn the British people that Germany is starting
to behave aggressively and threaten countries and this could
happen to Britain.
On your whiteboard give this answer a level and then
a mark – make sure you have a reason why you have
awarded this.
On a post-it note, set yourself a new assessment & progress
target – linked specifically to answering source questions.
This target should relate to your target grade and one action
that you are going to take in the next 2 weeks to show that
you have made progress in this skill.
For example:
•When answering a ‘What is the message of the source?’
question I will remember to use the formula: State what the
message is; use details from the source to support this; put
it into context.
• When answering a ‘Why was this source published in ...?’ I will
remember to write in my answer what the purpose of the
source is - WHY the source was made at that time & back this
up with my contextual knowledge.