These are the slides presented during the DCU History in Your Hands project revision session in February 2024

1. HISTORY IN YOUR
HANDS PROJECT
Revision Class:
February 2024

2. ● Your Feedback
● Guest speaker from Wikimedia
● Revision of key sections
● Project submission
● Competition

3. ● Quotes: Historian only?
● Introduction, conclusion, review
of the research process
● Extended essay
● Format references
● Guidance from your teacher
● RSR tips and checklists

4. Outline plan revision
- Define and Justify
- Identify the aims
- The intended approach
- Sources to be consulted

5. The Research
Topic is divided
into four parts:
1. The Outline Plan (15
marks)
2. Evaluation of Sources (25
marks)
3. Extended Essay (50
marks)
4. Review of the [Research]
Process (10 marks)

6. Remember your aims!
• As you’re taking your
notes, remember to think
about your aims.
• The notes you make will
become your aims!

9. Writing your
first draft: The
steps
Writing the first draft of an essay can be daunting, but with a clear
approach, it can become a manageable and even enjoyable task.
1. Understand the Question: Start by thoroughly understanding
your title!
2. Create an Outline: Plan the structure of your essay. An
outline is your roadmap; it should have an introduction, body
paragraphs with clear points, and a conclusion.
3. Research: Gather your information from reliable sources.
Note down key points, quotes, and evidence that you can use to
support your arguments.
4. Introduction: Begin with a strong introduction that sets the
context and states the thesis or main argument of your essay.
5. Body Paragraphs: Each paragraph should focus on a single main
idea. Use topic sentences to introduce the point of each paragraph,
support it with evidence, and explain how it relates to your overall
argument.

10. Writing your
first draft: The
steps
6. Use Evidence: Integrate quotes and facts to back up your
points.
7.Be Clear and Concise: Use simple, clear language.
8. Link Your Ideas: Make sure each paragraph flows logically to
the next.
9. Conclusion: Summarise your main points and restate your
thesis in light of the evidence you have presented.
10.Don’t Aim for Perfection: The first draft is not the final version.
Focus on getting your ideas down; you can refine and edit later.

11. • 11. Cite Your Sources: Keep track of where your information
comes from so you can cite it properly and avoid plagiarism.
• 12. Take Breaks: Don’t try to write it all in one go. Taking short
breaks will help you clear your mind and come back to your
writing with fresh eyes.
• 13. Review and Revise: After completing your draft, review it to
see if your arguments make sense and are well supported.
• 14. Proofread: Check for grammatical errors, spelling mistakes,
and punctuation.
• 15. Seek Feedback!
• Remember, the first draft is just the beginning. It’s an
opportunity to flesh out your ideas and see how they fit together.
Keep refining until your essay clearly and effectively
communicates your argument.
Writing your
first draft: The
steps

12. Types of referencing
How do you turn your notes from your sources into
references in your essay?

13. There are
different types
of references:
• Direct quotes
• Summarising
• Paraphrasing
• You reference when you are
taking information from
another source!

14. Summarising
The 'Leipzig incident' served as a catalyst for the Nazi
factions in Danzig, encompassing both the party
members and the senate, to vehemently criticise Lester.
They accused him of acting as a spokesperson for the
democratic opposition and of intruding in the internal
affairs of Danzig. This reaction suggests a heightened
sensitivity to external commentary or intervention,
particularly from figures perceived as supporting
democratic ideals contrary to Nazi ideology. It also
reflects the strained political atmosphere of the time,
where any external critique or involvement was met with
aggressive rhetoric and accusations of meddling in
sovereign matters.
The 'Leipzig incident' led to
Nazis in Danzig accusing
Lester of speaking for their
political opponents and
interfering in Danzig's own
matters.

15. Paraphrasing
● Paraphrasing is the act of expressing
someone else's ideas or information in your
own words
● It involves rephrasing a text while retaining
the original meaning
● Paraphrasing allows you to use another
person’s ideas but the writing flows with the
rest of your writing

16. Paraphrasing
‘The Leipzig incident’ was also
the signal for the Danzig Nazis,
both party and senate, to
unleash a tirade of abuse
against Lester, accusing him of
being a mouthpiece for the
democratic opposition as well
as ‘meddling in Danzig's
internal affairs’.
The Leipzig incident served as
a trigger for the Nazi party and
government in Danzig to
strongly criticise Lester. They
charged him with being a
spokesperson for those
opposed to their views and with
interfering in the internal
matters of Danzig.

17. Writing a conclusion
• Restate your main argument
(revisit your aims!)
• Summarise your key points
• Synthesise! How do your key
points relate to each other?
• Reflect
• Any unresolved questions?
That’s okay!
• No new information!

18. Review of the research
process (10 marks)
● 200-300 words (included in 1200-1500
word count for extended essay)
● Part of the extended essay or stand-alone
section after the essay for LC (as stand-
alone section for this project)
In the review you’ll describe:
● how useful your research process was in
achieving the aims in the outline plan
● how you carried out your research,
benefits you gained from it and any
problems you had

19. Sources
to be
consulted
(6 marks)

20. Two parts to
references:
1. In-text citation
2. Reference List

21. In-text Citation
• Appear in the text of your essay
• Shows the reader exactly where you got the
information
• Use an in-text citation with a footnote when you use
direct quotations, statistics or figures
• Small number 1 placed beside the quote
• Footnotes listed at the end of the extended essay
• Shorter form of your full reference

22. Footnotes
Footnote layout:
• 1. Source Type, Name of Source, Author, Page Number.
• Number 2 is added after the second quote, corresponding
2. footnote at end etc.
Example:
“No one who defended freedom and justice in the dark days of
Germany's history will ever forget the resolute spirit of this
brave Irishman, Sean Lester.” 1
FOOTNOTES
• 1. Journal article, Seán Lester: High Commissioner in
Danzig, 1933-1937, Felician Prill, page 267.
NOTE: Remember to put quotation marks around your direct quote

23. Reference List
Book: Surname, Initial. (Year of publication) Title. Place of
publication: Publisher.
Example: McNamara, P. (2008) Sean Lester, Poland and the Nazi
Takeover of Danzig. Kildare: Irish Academic Press.
Journal Article: Surname, Initial. (Year of publication) 'Title of
article', Title of Journal, Issue information, Page reference.
Example: Prill, F. (1960) ‘Seán Lester: High Commissioner in
Danzig, 1933-1937’, Studies: An Irish Quarterly Review, 49(195),
pp. 261–67. Available at: http://www.jstor.org/stable/30099228
Website: Surname, Initial. (Year that the site was published/last
updated) Title of website. Available at: URL (Accessed: date).
Example: Lester, S. (2023) Europeana: Seán Lester Diaries 1888-
1959. Available at
https://www.europeana.eu/en/search?page=1&view=grid&query=s
ean%20lester (Accessed: 4 December 2023).

24. Sources consulted section:
for this project
Reference List (Lay out A-Z by author)
(1) Lester, S. (2023) Europeana: Seán Lester Diaries
1888-1959. Available at
https://www.europeana.eu/en/search?page=1&view=grid
&query=sean%20lester (Accessed: 4 December 2023).
(2) McNamara, P. (2008) Sean Lester, Poland and the
Nazi Takeover of Danzig. Kildare: Irish Academic Press.
(3) Prill, F. (1960) ‘Seán Lester: High Commissioner in
Danzig, 1933-1937’, Studies: An Irish Quarterly Review,
49(195), pp. 261–67. Available at:
http://www.jstor.org/stable/30099228

25. Any questions
so far?

26. Evaluating
your
sources
(25 marks)

27. Evaluating three sources
● Checked with teacher
● Primary or specialist secondary
● One primary source if possible
● One by a historian
● Cover all the information you need
● Carefully evaluated each source - CRAAP
● Range of sources
● Written/saved the source details
● Keeping photocopies

28. General guidelines
● History in Your Hands project: 560 words
● Leaving Cert History: 2 x A4 booklet pages
● Relevance of each of the three sources you
to your topic
● Strengths + weaknesses of each source
● Finalise this section after you’ve finished
your extended essay

29. Basic info to cover:
● Is this a primary or secondary source?
● What type of source is this? Book, journal
article, website etc.
● Where did the source come from?
● What facts did I learn from this source?
● Compare and contrast your sources i.e.
Source 1 was the most helpful because…

30. Strengths and Weaknesses
● Strengths and weaknesses for all three
● Don’t be overly critical - chosen for a reason
● CRAAP questions will help you:
○ Currency: When written/published, dead links
○ Relevance: Focused on topic, audience, comprehensive?
○ Authority: Historian, eyewitness, participant
○ Accuracy: Sources, checked, verified, bias, gaps etc.
○ Purpose: Teach, entertain, opinion, propaganda, objective?
● Phrases and keywords to use

31. TASK
- Topic: Assassination of John F. Kennedy, 1963
- Evaluate the source on the table
- Work in pairs
- Note down relevance to the topic
- Note down 2 strengths of the source
- Note down 2 weaknesses
- Use the selected CRAAP questions to help you

32. Submitting your report and competition
- Submitting with Word template in guide
- Send to eilis.oneill@dcu.ie by 5pm on the 5th April
- See instructions on the guide
- Ask us questions!
- Winners announced at awards ceremony 14th May
- Top-scoring report from each school: 3 x €250
- Highly commended prizes: 6 x €100
- Tie-breaker –originality of thought

33. IMAGE CREDITS:
Slide 2: Canva image: Male and Female Hands Holding a Smiley Face on Paper by Gajus
Slide 3: Canva image: Question mark on paper bubbles, top view by 9dreamstudio from Getty
Images
Slide 5: Image generated using ChatGPT Dall-E 3 from the prompt row of pens
Slide 9 - 11: Image generated using ChatGPT Dall-E 3 from the prompt studying at a desk
Slide 13: Image generated using ChatGPT Dall-E 3 from the prompt researching history
Slide 15: Image from writeneed.com
Slide 17: Image generated using ChatGPT Dall-E 3 from the prompt colourful desk
Slide 18: Canva image: Time for review. Business concept by mucahiddin from Getty Images
Slide 19: Students studying in DCU Library Credit Kyran O’Brien/DCU Library 2023

34. IMAGE CREDITS:
Slide 20: Image created in Canva with illustration Glossary Abstract Concept Vector Illustration
by Visual Generation
Slide 21: Photo from unsplash site
Slide 22: Canva image: Book, books, piledbooks by olaser from Getty Images Signature
Slide 23: Canva image: Old Books on a Bookshelf by najkhetsamtip
Slide 24: Canva image: Light Inside Library by Janko Ferlic from Pexels
Slide 25: Portrait of Young Asian woman on yellow background by Khosro via Canva
Slide 26: Canva image: Group of College Students Studying in the School Library by
Oleksandr113
Slide 27: Magnifying glass by eternalcreative from Getty Images via Canva
Slide 28: Canva image: 3D Copy Writing Icon by Slab Design Studio
Slide 29: Canva image: Pretty clever dog stylish reading by Fly_dragonfly from Getty Images
Slide 30: DCU Student Credit Kyran O’Brien/DCU Library 2023