eExam Revision: developing questions for a Harkness discussion
Step 1: Summary: Using the following template, paraphrase what each source is saying.
Document # Key Terms
Note down keywords, important dates and important names. Only words, not sentences or phrases!
What are the key facts?
Notes
What do I need to know about this keyword/person/date/event?
Write 2–3 short bullet points explaining the main ideas in your own words.
Questions / Thoughts
How does this connect to my other knowledge? What don't I understand? What do I want to know more about? Write 2-4
questions
Paraphrased / Summarized Version
What is the MOST IMPORTANT information? Write a 2 – 3 sentence summary in your own words.
Document 1 – Key Terms
From a recently
published
textbook Notes
Questions / Thoughts
Paraphrased / Summarized Version
Document Key Terms
2–
Kaiser
Wilhem II Notes
being
interviewed
by a British Questions / Thoughts
newspaper in
1908. Paraphrased / Summarized Version
Document Key Terms
3 – Winston
Churchill
writing in Notes
1933.
Churchill was
the member Questions / Thoughts
of the British
government Paraphrased / Summarized Version
in charge of
the navy
from 1911-
1915.
Document Key Terms
4 – BBC
History
Website Notes
Questions / Thoughts
Paraphrased / Summarized Version
Document Key Terms
5–
[Link]
Notes
Questions / Thoughts
Paraphrased / Summarized Version
Document Key Terms
6–
Encyclopedia
Britannica Notes
Questions / Thoughts
Paraphrased / Summarized Version
Document Key Terms
7 – A British
cartoon
entitled ‘The Notes
Boiling Point’,
published in
1912. The Questions / Thoughts
figures
represent the
Paraphrased / Summarized Version
five Great
Powers.
Document Key Terms
8 – A cartoon
originally
published in a Notes
USA and
British
newspaper in Questions / Thoughts
1912 and
titled, "A
Paraphrased / Summarized Version
threatening
situation".
Step 2: Develop Questions
Level One Question (Evidence-Based): These questions should focus on factual information from the sources.
Examples:
What evidence does Document 4 (BBC History) provide to explain how alliances contributed to the outbreak of the First World War?
How does Document 6 (Encyclopedia Britannica) describe the impact of militarism on the likelihood of war?
Level 1 Question
Level Two Question (Analysis and Interpretation): These questions require students to analyze specific parts of the
text or interpret their meaning.
Examples:
Why do you think Document 6 emphasizes militarism as a "volatile" factor, while Document 4 focuses more on alliances? Which factor do
you think was more significant, and why?
How does the imagery in Document 7 ("The Boiling Point" cartoon) reflect the tensions among the Great Powers in 1912?
Level 2 Question
Level Three Question (Open-Ended and Abstract): These questions go beyond the text, connecting the themes to
broader issues or ideas.
Examples:
How might the system of alliances, described in Document 4, compare to modern international alliances, such as NATO or the United
Nations?
Do you think economic rivalry (as described in Document 5) is still a significant cause of conflict in the modern world? Why or why not?
Level 3 Question
Reminder: These questions should serve as the basis for our discussion. Ensure your questions:
Are authentic and original.
Encourage meaningful dialogue.
Reflect the themes and evidence found in the provided sources.