The Explain Question

The Explain Question AIM – Learn how to answer the ‘explain’ question. 19/11/18 AIM – Learn how to answer the ‘explain’ question. SUCCESS CRITERIA – Learn the structure necessary to complete a specimen ‘explain’ question. Be able to apply the correct answer structure when attempting an example of an ‘explain’ question. TASKS Copy today’s aim and heading into your jotter. Through class questioning, recap how we do the two paper 2 exam questions the class have undertaken so far. 3. As a class, learn how to tackle the ‘explain’ question. 4. Work through a specimen answer, based on the recently covered KU from the Scottish topic, highlighting the different sections as directed from today’s PPt. 5. Use what we’ve learned about the battle and apply it to our first ‘stand alone’ example of an ‘explain’ question.

EXPLAIN ‘Explain the reasons why…’ This will be worth 8 marks. This a knowledge-based question. There will be no source provided to support the question. Candidates must explain the reasons behind a historical event, NOT merely give a description of events (that would be a National 5-style ‘describe’ question…).

What the SQA says: For questions that ask candidates to Explain the reasons… (8 marks), they must make a number of points that make the issue plain or clear, for example showing the connections between factors or the causal relationships between events or ideas. These should be key reasons and may include theoretical ideas. They do not need to evaluate or prioritise these reasons. “What does that even mean?!”

Specimen answer (8 marks) Read the question, taking a moment to think carefully about what it is asking of you - it might not be completely straight forward. Using the words of the question, start your answer by making an overall answer to the question. E.g., if the question was: ‘Explain the reasons why William Wallace and Andrew Murray were important to Scottish resistance 1297-1305’… …you would begin your answer by writing… ‘There are a number of reasons why William Wallace and Andrew Murray were important to Scottish resistance 1297–1305.’ Then include EIGHT KEY POINTS of information. Be careful to EXPLAIN the significance of each point and ensure that you include PROCESS to link your explanation to your point. Best practice is to take a new paragraph for each point you make.

Specimen ‘Explain’ Question: Explain the reasons why the Scots rebelled against English rule in 1297. (8 marks) Write on, brother: For Brother Malcolm, the long hours of writing in the scriptorium were the only thing that took his mind off his unbearably cold head.

The causes of the rebellion of 1297 So what do we know about the factors which stirred Scotland up into rebellion against Edward’s English rule in 1297? I’ve forgotten everything! *gasp* Make a (brief) mind map outlining what we have learned on this issue so far – allow a whole page for this. Our next step today is to learn how we can put this to use.

Why did the Scots rebel in 1297? Blind Harry’s account of Hazelrigg murdering Wallace’s wife English favour of the MacDonald clan sparked revolt in the West Cressingham’s hated English-style tax system Why did the Scots rebel in 1297? Murray escaped, returning home to find his family’s castle garrisoned by English troops Bruce & the Steward were deprived of their lands Edward’s English governor - John de Warenne – left Cressingham to rule Scotland in his absence The imposition of English laws over Scotland Harsh rule by English sheriffs

Use this to build Specimen answer… There are a number of reasons why the Scots rebelled against English rule in 1297. (Overall answer) The English Treasurer of Scotland, Hugh Cressingham, tried to establish a much hated English-style tax system over Scotland. As a result of this being imposed on them against their will and their anger that Scottish tax money was going to pay for English wars, many Scots refused to pay and rebelled against English rule. (1st mark) Key: Key point process explanation of relevance/meaning

Blind Harry gives us an account that the English sheriff Hazelrigg murdered William Wallace’s wife at Lanark. As a consequence of this, William Wallace led a band of men to kill Hazelrigg in revenge, sparking the rebellion against English rule in central Scotland under Wallace’s leadership. (2nd mark) The English administration made a divisive choice to select the MacDonald clan as their representatives in the Western Isles and as a result of this, the MacDougall clan – lifelong enemies of the MacDonalds, who could not tolerate their rivals being given control over them – rose up in rebellion against the English rule. (3rd mark) Key: Key point Process explanation of relevance/meaning

Even though Bruce and the Steward had carefully avoided participating in Balliol’s resistance to Edward’s invasion in 1296, Edward didn’t trust them and he deprived them of their office and lands. Bruce and the Steward felt mistreated and betrayed by Edward and as a result of this, led many Scottish nobles to gather in rebellion at Irvine in the summer of 1297 in opposition against English rule. (4th mark) Edward’s appointed governor, John de Warenne, hated Scottish weather and quickly left Scotland to go back home to southern England. This caused rebellion because in his absence the English administration was run by Hugh Cressingham, a man who quickly became hated and despised for his cruel treatment of the kingdom. Due to his remoteness from the kingdom, Warenne played little part in the day to day running of Scotland. (5th mark) Key: Key point Process explanation of relevance/meaning

Newly appointed English sheriffs - who didn’t speak the native language or have any tie to the people of their new lands - enforced English laws over Scotland. This caused rebellion because the Scots reacted extremely negatively to a new, unwanted and alien system of laws which were imposed against their will. (6th mark) The English sheriffs appointed by Edward behaved aggressively as they sought to enforce control over their new lands and because they treated their new subjects so harshly, many Scots were keen to resist and rebel. When native leaders such as Wallace and Murray provided them with the opportunity and the leadership in 1297, many Scots chose to rise up and join the rebellion. (7th mark) Key: Key point Process explanation of relevance/meaning

In 1297, the knight Andrew Murray escaped from prison in Chester, where he had been held since being taken captive in the Scots defeat at Dunbar. This led to rebellion because he arrived home to find his family castle and lands in the hands of an English garrison which in turn provoked him into starting his own rebellion against English rule in the north of Scotland. (8th mark) NOTE: In the exam, you have 20 minutes to answer this question. Key: Key point Process explanation of relevance/meaning

Examples of ‘process’ as a consequence of… as a result of… because of this… this meant that… this caused (refer to the issue in the question) because… this led to (refer to the issue in the question) because…

Activity: Explain why the Scottish army won at the battle of Stirling Bridge. Take a note of the question. Make a (brief) mind map outlining the points you will use – you’ll need 8. Use the specimen answer as a template to attempt your answer. DUE on FRIDAY 23rd November (3 days post-Neil).