Exam+prep

= So, how do you study for an IB History exam? = toc The best approach is to divide your notes (i.e. events, policies, treaties, people) into different categories / themes and concepts.

=Examples of concepts=
 * Political
 * Social
 * Economic
 * Long Term
 * Short Term
 * Failures
 * Successes
 * Cause, Course, Consequences
 * Change and Continuity (i.e. what changed, what stayed the same?)
 * Compare and Contrast (i.e. Similarities and Differences)
 * Most important / Least important
 * and of course: Causes, Practices and Effects (similar to Cause, Course and Consequence)

Good ways to deal with these concepts is to make tables, to use dot points, venn diagrams and mind maps.

Most of you have been handwriting your notes which is an excellent way to be responsive and flexible in your notetaking, and you practice your writing muscles. For revision however, I would recommend that you take your handwritten notes and DO something with them; transform them into tables, sections, themes, concepts and categories as outlined above.

One of the keys to success in IB History is being able to consistently practice and effectively deploy a range of specific historical detail in your analysis. The links below are to a "flash card" software that allows you to learn, practice, and test your understanding on the Command Terms. It is vital that you know what it means to "analyse", "evaluate", "compare and contrast" etc.

IB History: Command Terms

=Essay writing=

It's not easy to handwrite an essay under timed conditions, but with the right skills, knowledge and attitude you can nail it!

Handout:.

=Skills= Never just focus on the story. Always focus on the why, the to what extent, the deeper reasons and explanations. **For every essay, you need to spend 5 minutes planning time**. A good argument has a good structure. All the stuff you were taught in Year 7 still works: Strong, clear topic sentences, one 'idea' per paragraph, a logical conclusion that clearly addresses the question, does NOT introduce new info and does NOT simply restate the obvious. Your essay should contain analysis, evaluation and a judgement based on your interpretation and the facts that you have presented. You can only do these things if you spend some time planning your argument and if you back up and support your analysis with details, facts, events, examples and justifications.

Force yourself away from simple narrative by using conjunctions (= connecting words) and signposts that indicate you are analysing and evaluating.

=Examples of connecting words=

Transition words and phrases are vital devices for essays. They improve the connections and transitions between sentences and paragraphs. They give your essay a logical organisation and structure (see also: a List of Synonyms). (Source)

not only ... but also in addition coupled with first, second, third equally important by the same token equally moreover comparatively correspondingly similarly furthermore additionally || although this may be true in contrast different from of course ..., but on the other hand on the contrary at the same time in spite of even so / though be that as it may then again above all in reality after all but (and) still unlike or (and) yet while albeit besides although instead whereas despite conversely otherwise however rather nevertheless regardless notwithstanding || in other words for one thing as an illustration in this case for this reason that is to say important to realize another key point first thing to remember most compelling evidence must be remembered point often overlooked to point out on the positive / negative side with this in mind notably, including, like, namely, chiefly, truly, indeed, certainly, surely, markedly, especially, specifically, expressively, surprisingly, frequently, significantly, such as in fact in general in particular in detail for example for instance to demonstrate to emphasize to repeat to clarify to explain to enumerate || as can be seen generally speaking in the final analysis all things considered as shown above in the long run given these points as has been noted in a word for the most part after all in fact in summary in conclusion in short in brief in essence to summarize on balance altogether overall ordinarily usually by and large to sum up on the whole in any event in either case all in all ||
 * **Agreement / Addition / Similarity** || **Opposition / Limitation / Contradiction** || **Examples / Support / Emphasis** || **Conclusion / Summary / Restatement** ||
 * in the first place