2. 1. Structure
2. Interpretation
3. Critiquing
4. Language

3. •Introductory remarks/quote
•Topic Sentences/ideas (in order in which
they will be presented in the essay)
•Hypothesis
•Link/introduce first idea
Introduction
• Each paragraph should contain a similar structure:
• Topic sentence/idea
• Develop idea: explain
• Quote and critique source material to support
• Develop idea further
• Introduce & critique further source material
• Connect ideas to hypothesis
• Introduce next idea
Body
• Concluding remarks/statement
• Topic ideas in order presented in assignment
• Hypothesis
Conclusion

4.  Your hypothesis is the answer to your initial focus
question
 It contains:
• A reason
• Cause and effect
• Specific time and place
 EG: What role did Stupidides play in the development
of technology in Alternate Greece?
Stupidides enabled the development of technology in
Alternate Greece due to his advanced social status,
which gave him resources to pursue his studies, and his
ability to manipulate those around him to achieve his
own ends.

5. Each Research Question becomes one or
two paragraphs
Your topic sentence for the paragraph is
the answer to the research question
You quote from the primary sources to
support your answer
At some stage in the paragraph you will
explain how the information is connected
to your hypothesis

6. Research notes
RQ1: What was
Stupidides’
background?
 Social
 Political
Social background –
a member of the
‘elites’; Illyctus clan
(see Plutarcho 17.4; )
Political background
– tyrant of Ionia (see
Thinctutus 22.1.12)
Paragraph
Stupidides’ social and political background was
elite and influential. As a member of the Illyctus
clan, he was afforded a high social status and
access to much wealth. Plutarcho’s hyperbolic
account claims, ‘Stupidides was from the highest
of all clans, the richest, the noblest’ (Plutarcho
17.4); however, his nobility and wealth are also
recorded by Azion and Jonsinius. This status,
along with what the conservative Historian
Thinctutus (22.1.12) records as ‘his excessive
power as a tyrant of Ionia’, uniquely positioned
Stupidides to study for and then implement his
major technological changes. These changes
encompassed the areas of art, architecture and
trade, subjects he studied under the great
teacher, Hercumin.

7. Use the criteria sheet: C2

8.  identifying the information that is explicit in sources
 understanding the nature of historical sources of evidence,
assumptions about the problematic character of historical
sources, and the tentative and interpretive qualities of
historical knowledge
 analysing what is explicit and implicit in sources, including
themes, values and interrelationships within and among
sources
 evaluating the worth of sources: assessing the reliability,
authenticity, representativeness, relevance and accuracy of
the sources and locating value positions, biases, perspectives
and standpoints in their historical context
 making decisions about a question or hypothesis:
synthesising evidence, reaching a conclusion about a
question or hypothesis, and justifying the conclusion.

9. Explain how the quote is relevant
Plutarch claims that “Solon…”. Here, he is
highlighting…
In referring to „…‟, Plutarch is describing…

10. Compare:
• Although the modern historian Jones claims that
Pericles was motivated by greed, this is not
supported by…
• In contrast/on the other hand
Corroborate:
• Both Plutarch and Aristotle agree that…
• Similarly, Jones states that…

11. Each time you quote from a source, you
should critique the author for:
• Accuracy/Reliability
• Bias
• Representativeness

12. Look for judgemental words and phrases
in the text
Think about the author’s cultural
background, qualifications and purpose for
writing
• Plutarch‟s opinion is questionable because…
• Much of Jones‟ language is emotional…
• Aristotle‟s scholarly approach is accurate in his
presentation of facts but he is weak in military
contexts…

13. Does the author have an opinion (positive
or negative) about his subject matter?
„Plutarch‟s mainly positive account of
Cleisthenes stresses that…‟

14. Does the author’s point of view agree with
other accounts?
Plutarch‟s account is representative of
other contemporaneous authors, when he
states, „…‟

15. Analytical essays use formal English:
• No slang
• No abbreviations
• No contractions
• No use of personal pronouns