Sharpening comparison skills

1. Take two contrasting pieces of evidence (for example, Sources C and D in this exercise) and divide the class. Set each individual/group the task of comparing an aspect of the sources and completing the table. Then discuss findings.

Source	Intention and purpose	Date/significance of the date	Position of author to knowledge	Typic-ality	Usefulness in relation to key issue	Completeness
C
D

2. Discuss how to achieve a point-by-point comparison. Take two students (volunteers!) and ask the class to make firstly a sequential comparison and then convert into a point-by-point comparison by making categories (height, hair colour, dress, interests, etc.). Then apply to the content of Sources C and D.

Discussing Key Issues

Identify some key issues about the Origins of the French Revolution by issuing the Specification and brainstorming. Some might be – How important was the Enlightenment? How important were economic and social causes? Was the King responsible for his own downfall?

Isolate the elements of the issue and allocate a view for a group to defend or attack. For example, if the Enlightenment is chosen, one group prepares an argument that the Philosophes were of vital importance; another group argues that social unrest was the main reason; another argues that government incompetence and financial crisis were far more important. To help groups, cards could be issued with page references or key quotations/facts. A debate follows with each group making points, and the follow-up homework is to provide a synthesis/supported judgement.