"Mastering A-Level History: The Key Role of Essay Planning for Edexcel and AQA Students"

As part of my journey in tutoring history students, I’ve recently expanded my services to include A-Level History for both Edexcel and AQA exam boards. I’m passionate about helping students achieve their best in these qualifications, and over the past few months, I’ve noticed one key thing that all successful students have in common: the importance of planning in their history essays.

Why Planning is Key in A-Level History Essays

In A-Level History, whether it’s Edexcel or AQA, students are required to write essays that demonstrate a deep understanding of historical events and the ability to analyse and evaluate them critically. The key to producing top-quality essays lies in being able to craft a sustained, well-reasoned argument. This is not something that can be pulled together at the last minute or “winged” on the day of the exam.

When students don’t plan their essays thoroughly, they risk losing focus and failing to answer the question properly. A lack of planning can lead to poorly structured essays, underdeveloped arguments, and a general sense of disorganisation that can make it difficult to achieve the top marks.

Through my tutoring, I’ve emphasised the necessity of pre-structuring thoughts and arguments before diving into writing. This involves outlining key points, gathering evidence, and considering the best way to present ideas in a logical, coherent order. Without this foundational step, students are often left scrambling to come up with ideas on the spot, which can result in a disjointed essay that doesn’t answer the question effectively.

Teaching the Art of Essay Writing in A-Level History: Good vs Poor Paragraphs

One of the most effective tools I use in my tutoring sessions is comparing good and poor paragraphs. By providing students with examples of both, they can clearly see how the structure and content of their writing can either make or break an argument.

A good paragraph will:

• Start with a clear topic sentence that directly addresses the question.

• Present a well-reasoned argument supported by relevant evidence.

• Analyse and explain the significance of the evidence in relation to the overall argument.

• Link back to the question, ensuring that the argument stays focused.

A poor paragraph, on the other hand, may:

• Lack a clear topic sentence, leaving the reader unsure of what the paragraph is trying to prove.

• Present information without analysing it or connecting it back to the essay question.

• Be vague or unsupported by appropriate evidence, making the argument weak and unclear.

By walking students through these examples and discussing the strengths and weaknesses of each, they can learn how to avoid common pitfalls and develop the skills necessary to write high-quality essays.

Creating Tailored Revision Booklets for A-Level History

In addition to the one-on-one tutoring sessions, I make sure to go above and beyond by preparing bespoke revision booklets for my students. These booklets are carefully tailored to their specific needs and exam boards, and include:

• Key facts and dates that students need to remember.

• Past exam questions that mirror the type of questions they will encounter in their exams.

• A range of revision exercises designed to reinforce knowledge and exam techniques.

Having these booklets before each session allows students to feel more confident and prepared. They can approach each tutoring session with a clear sense of direction, knowing that they have the resources they need to master the content and exam technique.

Looking Ahead in A-Level History

As I continue to work with A-Level History students, I remain committed to helping them not only learn the content but also develop the skills they need to succeed in their exams. Planning, critical thinking, and practice are the cornerstones of writing a successful history essay. I aim to make sure my students understand that a strong essay starts long before they write their first sentence – it starts with effective planning and strategy.

If you’re interested in A-Level History tutoring for Edexcel or AQA, I’d love to help you achieve your best. Whether you need help with exam technique, essay planning, or general content review, I’m here to guide you through every step of the process.

Feel free to contact me to discuss how we can work together to improve your History grades.