Paper 1 source skills (Move to global war)

Four sources on one prescribed subject, four questions, worth 3 + 2 + 4 + 6 + 9 = 24 marks (the last question has two parts). About 60 minutes plus 5 minutes' reading.

The mark values running down the paper: comprehension (3), message (2), OPVL value and limitations (4), compare and contrast (6), and the judgement (9).

Only the 9-mark judgement (Q4). Q1–Q3 are won purely on how you handle the sources in front of you.

Origin, Purpose, Value, Limitations — a four-step method to judge a source as evidence, used for the 4-mark question.

The small attribution line under a source giving its author, date and type. It is free information that does half the OPVL work for you.

Three separate, distinct points that the source actually makes — no outside knowledge. Each clear point earns 1 mark.

Both similarities AND differences, linked source to source. Never two separate one-source paragraphs that never meet.

It hides that Japan staged the incident, so it is weak on the facts — but it is valuable evidence of how Japan wanted the seizure of Manchuria seen by the world.

'BECAUSE it was made by… FOR… (purpose), it is useful for… (value) but limited because… (limitation)', always linked to the exact topic named.

A source quotes Hitler calling Munich his 'last demand'; your own knowledge adds the Rhineland (1936), the Anschluss (1938), and his breaking of the promise by seizing all of Czechoslovakia in March 1939.

Both sides argued from the sources by letter, own facts woven in, the reliability of some sources judged, and an explicit verdict — never sitting on the fence.

They may agree on the basic facts of the seizure but clash on blame: the army calls it self-defence, while a League-style report blames Japanese aggression. Same event, different message.