Learnmojo HE/SS SEQ Guide

UPPER SEC HISTORY ELECTIVE/SOCIAL STUDIES

STRUCTURED ESSAY SKILLS

1. What are Structured Essay Questions (SEQs)?

These questions are based on the History/Social Studies content that you have learnt. Unlike
Source-based Questions (SBQs), there are no sources of information for reference and every
example you give to support your answer is pulled from your memory bankyour brain!

By the way, History Elective/Social Studies is mostly about the CAUSES AND IMPACTS of
decisions made by leaders or governments around the world, both past and present. If you
remember that, you will be able make sense of all the information in your syllabus.

SEQs are marked based on LORMs (Levels of Response Marking Scheme), which award high
marks to students who show that they can explain and not just describe, as well as students
who can make reasoned judgements.

2. What do most students do, and will YOU do differently?

Most students fret over the SBQs as they are deemed harder. So they end up spending lots
of time trying to perfect them while neglecting the SEQs. Their SEQs suffer since they are
worth fewer marks than SBQ.

Consider this. What if, for that particular years O Levels exam, the sources given are
extremely difficult to analyse? The result is that they obtain very low marks overall. This
would pull down their L1R5 or L1R2B2 for JC/Poly entry.

My students, you included, take a different approach.
They allocate more pre-exam time to practicing SEQs as they are more predictable. They get
almost full marks in Section B. The resultmost of them score distinctions in History Elective.

3. Why focus more on SEQs?

As mentioned above, they are way more predictable than SBQs.

Let me tell you a secret. There are really only so many ways your teacher can ask an SEQ on,
say, Nazi Germany. I bore myself silly when setting SEQs, despite trying to be creative with
my SEQ phrasing through the years.

For you, boring is GOOD! You can anticipate the questions teachers might ask and practice
writing your answers, referring to your textbook/notes for examples to use. By the time
exams roll around, it wouldnt be the first time youre writing that essay and youd have
corrected your mistakes during your practices.

Contrast with SBQsno way for us to predict the sources that will appear in the exam.
Although there are guidelines for you to follow (which I will share in later lessons), every SBQ
answer is different as each source is unique.

Lets do some math to see how much easier your life will be if you score for the SEQs, using a
hypothetical History Elective exam scenario.

HE/SS Structured Essay Skills 2014 by Learnmojo All Rights Reserved.

Learnmojo HE/SS SEQ Guide

4. Hypothetical History Elective Exam Scenario

Lim Ah Meow, a Sec 4 student, is a Science and Math whiz. However, he struggles at English
Language and the Humanities. Anything that requires him to read or write more than 5
sentences daunts him. Months before the O Levels, his History teacher makes him take 20 to
30 minutes a week to do one SEQ, marks them all, and ensures he submits his corrections.

D-day approaches. In the O Level History Elective Exam, this is what the paper looks like:


Section A: SBQ
Case Study: Cold War
[Ah Meow groansthis is his least favourite SBQ topic. Instead of the usual one political
cartoon, there are TWO in this exam! Double groan!]

1 (a) 5 marks (Inference)
1 (b) 5 marks (Inference)
1 (c) 6 marks (Usefulness)
1 (d) 6 marks (Reliability)
1 (e) 8 marks (Testing Assertion)
Sub-total: 30 marks

Section B: SEQ
[Ah Meow chooses the qn on Nazi Germany: Ok I can do this, Ive written those essays 3
times already!]

2 (a) 8 marks (Explanation)
2 (b) 12 marks (Judgement)
Sub-total: 20 marks

Total: 50 marks


Ah Meows scores look like this for Section A:
1 (a) 4 / 5 marks
1 (b) 4/ 5 marks
1 (c) 3 / 6 marks [Ah Meow: I had a weak cross-reference]
1 (d) 2 / 6 marks [Ah Meow: The source was so hard to understand that I forgot to do cross-
reference.]
1 (e) 4 / 8 marks [Ah Meow: I kind of ran out of time here]
Section A score = 17/30

Now for Section B:
He manages to get the full 8 marks for 2(a), since he just needs to explain 2 factors.
For 2(b), he scores L3/10 marks out of 12 marks. Although he didnt manage to clinch the
highest level marks, he answered the question, and adequately explained 3 factors.
Section B score = 18/20

TOTAL SCORE = 35/50

Although he didnt manage to score high level marks for 1(c) to 1(e), thats still ok. He had
his fantastic SEQ score to bring him to an A2 for his History Elective Exam!


HE/SS Structured Essay Skills 2014 by Learnmojo All Rights Reserved.

Learnmojo HE/SS SEQ Guide

So, you see, if you dominate in SEQs, you are a lot less stressed about the unpredictable
SBQs. Sounds good?

Please note that we never deliberately write bad SBQ answers. We still practice SBQs and
learn to write good answers, but the difference is that youre now under less pressure, and
that actually puts you in a better place to understand the sources!


5. SEQ Format for HE and SS, and how much time to allocate.

In History Elective, Explanation SEQs are worth 8 marks. They appear as the part (a) of the
SEQ. You need to explain 2 factors related to the issue.
(If youre kiasu, you could explain maximum 3 factorsonly if there are no given factors
mentioned in the question). Part (b) is a Judgement SEQ worth 12 marks, but we wont go
into that here yet.

For Social Studies, you need to explain 1 factor/impact for part (a) to get 5 marks, and 2
other factors/impacts for part (b) to get 10 marks. This makes 3 factors for the entire 15-
mark question.

In the exam allocate max 20 minutes to write an Explanation SEQ answer as you need to
leave enough time for other questions.

In pre-exam practices, give yourself 40-45 minutes for each essay, because you need to do
an essay plan.

Use the following 3-Step process and the PEEL framework.


6. The 3-Step Process for SEQs

STEP 1: UNDERSTAND QUESTION
[3 minutes]

Read the question carefully and highlight:
- the given factor(s), if any, and
- the issue.
-
Underline the timeframe, if any.

On the question, jot down words associated with the issue.
Caused by increasing, unresolved

tension/hostility/aggression
E.g. 1:
How did the following factors cause the outbreak of war in Europe in 1939?
Hitlers foreign policy
Germany invaded, Allied Powers finally
The Nazi-Soviet Pact
fought back
Explain your answer. (8m)


Only he and his party made decisions
E.g. 2:
Explain why Hitler completely controlled Germany by the Aug 1934. (8m)

Total obedience from the German people,

army, police, government.

HE/SS Structured Essay Skills 2014 by Learnmojo All Rights Reserved.

Learnmojo HE/SS SEQ Guide

The point of the previous step, Understanding the Question, is to understand the question
so that you:
Link back to the issue in every paragraph.
Explain both given factors, if any.
Use the associated words in all your explanations.

Next, you plan your essay.

STEP 2: PLAN ESSAY
[10 minutes]
Point: CLEARLY state the factor you will be explaining in the paragraph.
Examples or details to support the point
Explain why this factor is important
Link: Link back to the issue in qn
Plan your essay in paragraphs using the above PEEL framework for each paragraph.
Again, OMIT THIS STEP AT THE EXAMS. THIS STEP ONLY APPLIES TO PRE-EXAM PRACTICES.

No need complete sentences,
List points,
Use your own short form.
As long as you understand your own plan, its cool ;)

Total obedience from the German people,

army, police, government.
Sole ruler
Example Essay Plan:
Qn) Explain why Hitler completely controlled Germany by the Aug 1934. (8m)

Paragraph 1 Point (1st factor): Great Depression (GD)

Examples (found in textbook):
Wall St Crash, USA 1929. US stopped loans to Ger.
Ger bizs went bust cos dpended on loans fr US, millions lost jobs
Ppl suffered, resented WG for not solving probs
More voted for Hitler from then on (blieved his promises)
By 32 elections, Nazi pty most no. of seats in Reichstag
Explanation (may need to use own words):
Pres H saw many voted for Hitler, wanted WG to rule Ger thru him
So Pres made Chancellor in Jan 33!Hitler had pwr to make
decisions, gd position to eliminate threats to become sole ruler in
34.
Link (use words in the question): Thus, Hitler completely controlled Ger by
Aug 1934 due to the (mention point).

HE/SS Structured Essay Skills 2014 by Learnmojo All Rights Reserved.

Learnmojo HE/SS SEQ Guide

Example Essay Plan (Cont):

Paragraph 2 Point (2nd factor): Eliminated threats from within his party
Examples (found in textbook):
SA instrumental in aiding his journey to Reichstag
Grew into powerful org in Nazi Pty under Rohm
Hitler feared Rohm; he ctrled such a large pte army
Jun 34 Nite of Long Knives: arrested n killed Rohm, other SA leaders,
other political opponents
German Army Generals who disliked SA leaders happy, ok Hitler
Explanation:
now Ger mil supported him & got rid of SA rivalsready to be sole
dictator when Pres H died 2 months later.
Link (use words in the question): Thus, Hitler completely controlled Ger by
Aug 1934 because of (mention point).



STEP 3: WRITE ESSAY
[15-17 minutes]
Write out the essay in complete sentences, based on your essay plan which has been
PEELed.
Writing tips
Use the following phrases and words to signal to the marker that you are giving supporting
examples and EXPLAINING, so that they would award you the appropriate level and marks!

Linking words to show cause and effect:
Example markers:


So
For example
Therefore
For instance
Thus
Such as
Because
Like
Since
In order to
I cannot over-emphasize that you must remember to ANSWER THE QUESTION in every
paragraph. Do that by copying words in the question. It may be robotic, but it prevents you
from getting zero or L1 mark.


Sample Written Essay (the following essay scores L4/8mfull marks)

The first reason why Hitler completely controlled Germany by the August 1934 was the
Great Depression. The Great Depression started from a serious financial crisis in USA in 1929.
As the USA was struggling economically, it stopped its loans to Germany. Many German
businesses closed down as German businesses depended on loans from USA to pay workers
and buy materials to manufacture goods. Thus, millions of Germans lost their jobs. Many
Germans suffered and resented the Weimar Government for not solving their problems.
More Germans started to vote for Hitler as he promised to create jobs and make Germany
wealthy again, helping Hitlers Nazi Party win the most number of seats in the Reichstag by
1932. When President Hindenberg saw that many had voted for Hitler, he agreed to appoint
him as Chancellor in January 1933, hoping that the Weimar leaders could rule Germany
HE/SS Structured Essay Skills 2014 by Learnmojo All Rights Reserved.

Learnmojo HE/SS SEQ Guide

through him. Hitler used this power to pass the Enabling Act to ban all other political parties
in March 1933, and was well on his way to become sole ruler by the end of 1934. [Note:
most students leave this out, getting only L2/4m! Dont make the same mistake.]
Thus, Hitler was able to completely control Germany due to the Great Depression. L3/6m at
this point

In addition, Hitler completely controlled Germany by August 1934 due to his strategy of
eliminating threats from within his party. The SA, his private army, was instrumental in
aiding his journey to Reichstag. It grew into powerful 6rganization in the Nazi Party under
Ernst Rohm. This caused Hitler to fear Rohm might be a threat as he commanded such a
large private army. Thus Hitler carried out the Night of the Long Knives in June 1934,
arresting and executing Rohm, other SA leaders and his other political opponents. Through
this, he also won the support of German Army Generals who had been wary of him as they
disliked the SA leaders. With the powerful SA leaders gone and the regular army on his side,
he was set to become sole ruler of Germany when President Hindenburg died 2 months later.
[Again, most students leave this explanation out and score only L2/4m.] Thus, Hitler
completely controlled Ger because he successfully eliminated threats within his own party.
L3/8m


7. Suggested Explanation SEQ LORMs

Im going to give you a peek into the exam markers mind. As he/she reads your answer,
he/she places parts of your answer in the appropriate level.

This decision is based on what Level of thinking they see in your answer. Refer to the
Descriptors in bold in the table below.

That is why you see L1, L2, L3, etc scattered throughout your essay. From there, the marker
will allocate a Mark within that Level, based on the quality of your evidence and explanation.

The highest Level and Mark you hit anywhere in your answer will be the final mark you get.

ZERO marks are allocated if student does not answer the question explicitly.

Level
Descriptor/Examples
Marks
1
Writes about topic without focusing on issue
1-2m

e.g. Hitler completely controlled Germany. He established control
over the media and used propaganda to make the people obey him.

2
Identifies/Describes reason(s)
3-4m

e.g. Hitler completely controlled Germany by August 1934 due to his
strategy of eliminating threats from within his party. The SA, his
private army, was instrumental in aiding his journey to Reichstag. It
grew into powerful 6rganization in the Nazi Party under Ernst Rohm.
This caused Hitler to fear Rohm might be a threat as he commanded
such a large private army. Thus Hitler carried out the Night of the Long
Knives in June 1934, arresting and executing Rohm, other SA leaders
and his other political opponents. Through this, he also won the
support of German Army Generals who had been wary of him as they
disliked the SA leaders.<--all facts, no explanation!
HE/SS Structured Essay Skills 2014 by Learnmojo All Rights Reserved.

Learnmojo HE/SS SEQ Guide

3

Explains factor(s)
5-6m for explaining one factor
7-8m for explaining two factors

E.g. See Sample Written Essay on previous page.

5-8m

Its important to EXPLAIN because answers that only describe (i.e. just state what happened)
wont get more than L2/4m, even if the student talks about a zillion factors.

The PEEL framework helps you avoid this mistake by making you think about your
explanation before the exam.

Thats the end of the SEQ guide. Give yourself a pat on the back for making it this far!

8. Practice

Take a break, and then do try the following:
Set 15 minutes on your mobile phone timer.
Do only Steps 1-2 for the question below.

Qn) Explain how Hitler maintained control over Germany. (8m)
Hint: key word is MAINTAINED.

-The End-

HE/SS Structured Essay Skills 2014 by Learnmojo All Rights Reserved.