1. Starter
Look at the following
movie poster. How useful
is this poster of the plot
of Toy Story.
Remember to include,
what the source tells
you? What the source
omits? And any other
relevant detail.
3. Background
Evaluate the usefulness questions are worth 8 marks
You will get an Evaluate the usefulness question in
Paper 2 of the final exam (Scottish section)
The purpose of these questions is to read a source and
discuss how helpful it would be if you were researching
a particular topic
4. For each issue, always state:
‘Source fact’. This is/is not useful
because…
• For example:
• “The source was made in 1874. This is useful
because…*”
• * Make sure your point links to the question’s topic
5. Answer tips
** Remember to write “is/is not useful because” **
Source content What accurate facts about the question’s topic
does the source tell us (you can give up to two)
Own knowledge What do you know about the topic? Are these
facts missing from the source? (Up to three)
Who made it? Who made the source? Why is this important?
When was it made? When was the source produced? Why is this
important? What else was happening?
Type of source What type of source is it? Does this make it
more or less reliable?
Why was it made? Why did the person or people make the source?
6. How to quote from sources
• When quoting from sources, you have to explain
exactly why the quote is relevant to the question
• Also, state that the source is useful and accurate
Answer layout
Source A says “xxxxxx”. This is useful because it
accurately shows that…
@mrmarrhistory
7. EVALUATE
Evaluate the usefulness of Source A as
evidence of the impact of Scots emigrants on
Canada. (8 marks)
Source A: from a newspaper report in The Aberdeen Journal, written in December 1911.
FRASERBURGH PEOPLE IN WINNIPEG (CANADA)
The first event held by the Aberdeen, Banff and Kincardineshire Association of Winnipeg
came off with great success in the Oddfellows’ Hall on a Thursday evening. The atmosphere
of the large ballroom was distinctly Scottish and had the feeling of a ceilidh night back in
their homeland. At 8.30 pm the Grand March was led off by President George Adam,
followed by 150 couples, the music of one of the finest bands in the city. Added to this
were the handsome dresses of the ladies, which gave the finishing touch to the gathering
and dancing was kept up with high spirits until 2.30 am. The first annual reunion of the
association is to take place, on January 25th 1912, when members will celebrate the great
Bard Robert Burns. The membership has now reached 220, a truly marvellous triumph for
an association only eight months old.
8. Model Answer
The source was made in 1911 which is useful because this was a time when large
numbers of Scots were emigrating to and already living in Canada, having a major impact
on the country. (1 mark)
The source was made by a journalist in Canada which is useful because he can describe
specific events he witnessed involving Scots, and as a journalist can be assumed to have
carried out research for his article. (1 mark)
The source is from a local newspaper which was clearly set up by Scots (it is named after
a Scottish city) which is useful as it was clearly made to document the impact of emigrant
Scots in their new homes, making it detailed and relevant. (1 mark)
The source says “The atmosphere of the large ballroom was distinctly Scottish and had
the feeling of a ceilidh night back in their homeland” which is useful because it accurately
shows that many Scots did introduce Scottish dancing and other activities to Canada. (1
mark)
The source also says “The first annual reunion of the association is to take place, on
January 25th 1912, when members will celebrate the great Bard Robert Burns” which is
useful because it accurately shows that many Scots affected by Canada by hosting events
to celebrate Scottish writers like Robert Burns. (1 mark)
9. Model Answer
However the source is not fully useful because it fails to state that many Scots
became involved in politics in Canada, including the country’s first Prime Minister,
John A MacDonald. (1 mark)
The source is also not fully useful because it fails to say that other Scots helped
fund and build the Canadian Pacific Railway. (1 mark)
The source is also not fully useful because it fails to say that many Scots were
involved in working in Canada’s fur trade. (1 mark)
