Section B Question 5: The Essay
The final question in Section B of the VCE History exam is Question 5. For this question
you must write a short essay that demonstrates knowledge, understanding and a critical
evaluation of the new society. The examination paper contains four essay questions,
one for each of the four revolutions. The answer booklet provides three pages for your
short essay – however there is also overflow space at the rear of your answer book,
should you require it.
Some general advice for approaching this essay:
Length. Think carefully about the length of essay you are capable of producing in 30-40
minutes under exam conditions – and avoid getting too ambitious. In almost all cases,
writing a thoughtful, well planned essay of three or four pages is better than rushing and
‘rambling’ to fill five or six pages. The assessors provide three blank pages for the essay
for good reason: they consider this an achievable goal for most students. You should
aim for a longer essay only if you are capable of producing one.
Structure. Essays with little or no structure tend to ‘ramble’ and may end up drifting
away from the question. Make sure yours has a clear structure. If it helps, take a minute
or two to jot down a point-form plan before you begin writing. There are many ways to
structure short essays. You can write chronologically; you can use the ‘political-socialeconomic’ framework; you could discuss different stages or phases in the new society;
or you can focus on three or four major themes or issues, writing a long paragraph on
each.
Argument. The essay question will ask you to demonstrate a critical perspective about
the new society, so you be prepared to develop and articulate an argument. Avoid the
temptation to ‘sit on the fence’ and take all perspectives into the account. It is much
better to answer the question directly and to take a stand, expressing your argument
with confidence, clarity and strength. Sound as convincing as you can (even if you are
not entirely convinced!)
Answer the question. One of the most common problems with student essays in
history is not responding directly to the question. Some students answer the essay
question they would like to have seen, rather than the question on the paper. Others
begin answering the question but stray off course. Be sure to regularly re-visit the
question on the paper. Are you providing information, evidence or argument that is
relevant to the question? Are you repeating and focusing on the key terms in the
question?
Specific information. As with other parts of the exam, it is important to demonstrate
your close knowledge of the revolution by including specific information. This can include
reference to or discussion of particular people, places, groups, events, dates,
documents, polices, outcomes and historians’ theories. Include as much of this as you
can, provided it is relevant to the question. The use of specific information is often the
difference between a very good essay score and an excellent one.
Historians. You can certainly refer to historians as evidence (see above). Just
remember that the essay is NOT a historiographical activity, so avoid getting bogged
down in complex discussions or comparisons involving multiple historians and their
views. The main focus of the essay should be on demonstrating YOUR strong
understanding of the new society, not discussing the views of others. Refer to historians
and their assertions or theories only in passing.
Strong introduction. The opening paragraph is the most critical part of your short
essay. It is where you respond directly to the question, articulate your own argument or
perspective, and set the tone for the rest of your essay. Give careful thought to your
introduction and how you intend to word it. In some cases, it may be a good idea to write
your introduction last, leaving space to do so. Whatever you do, make sure your
introduction is clear, assertive and forms a response to the essay question.
Below is the opening two-and-a-half paragraphs of a suggested essay response to a
question about the Chinese Revolution. It shows how the student has addressed the
question, offering an evaluation of crisis and compromise in the new regime while
incorporating his/her knowledge about the revolution and the Area of Study: