KUE - HOW TO WRITE A GREAT CLASSICAL CIVILISATION ESSAY
Your marking criteria are Knowledge (facts, details etc), Understanding (reasons for things and explanations) and Evaluation. Essays will contain cross-overs of all three and there are no hard and fast rules, but...
You must use all three in your essays to ensure you receive 30 marks... if you miss one, or don't manage to cover all three you throw away marks, so try the following structure;
KNOWLEDGE: (Facts and Information)
A full essay can simply be a series of well-written KUEs... Why not try it?
A VERY BASIC EXAMPLE OF A KUE on the topic of Roman Religion: 'Would having many gods cause comfort or confusion?'
(Written with a class in 7 minutes!)
KNOWLEDGE:
The gods in ancient Rome had multiple roles and responsibilities. For instance, Diana was goddess of virginity and hunting. These seems like specific responsibilities to have as a goddess, but it is understandable that she was given these roles as hunting for food was so important to the Romans.
UNDERSTANDING:
This would probably not be confusing for a Roman citizen, given that they were used to this type of religious practice. Growing up worshipping the many gods of ancient Rome, they would understand the reciprocal relationship inherent in Roman religion; it was about success, not morality.
EVALUATION:
On one hand, the Romans may be used to many gods having multiple functions. A modern audience may find this confusing (although some world religions such as Hinduism also have polytheistic religions), however, we need to see things from a Roman perspective: the comfort for hunters going to catch food would come directly from prayers to Diana, and indeed, the psychological effect of this may have actually improved their abilities and confident in the hunt.
You must use all three in your essays to ensure you receive 30 marks... if you miss one, or don't manage to cover all three you throw away marks, so try the following structure;
KNOWLEDGE: (Facts and Information)
- State facts which relate to the question
- Use DETAILED information about the topic
- Use specific examples, primary evidence; not vague comments - give textual, archaeological or historical evidence that is directly relevant to the question you are trying to answer.
- Carrying on from the facts and information in the previous paragraph, explore the reasons behind the fact or detail
- Make sure you explain things in full
- This should also refer back to the question
- What does this tell you about Roman or Greek society at the time?
- What is your opinion?
- What would they have thought in the Ancient World? What is the difference?
- Are there other ways of seeing this point? What are the alternative points of view?
- How does this answer the question?
A full essay can simply be a series of well-written KUEs... Why not try it?
A VERY BASIC EXAMPLE OF A KUE on the topic of Roman Religion: 'Would having many gods cause comfort or confusion?'
(Written with a class in 7 minutes!)
KNOWLEDGE:
The gods in ancient Rome had multiple roles and responsibilities. For instance, Diana was goddess of virginity and hunting. These seems like specific responsibilities to have as a goddess, but it is understandable that she was given these roles as hunting for food was so important to the Romans.
UNDERSTANDING:
This would probably not be confusing for a Roman citizen, given that they were used to this type of religious practice. Growing up worshipping the many gods of ancient Rome, they would understand the reciprocal relationship inherent in Roman religion; it was about success, not morality.
EVALUATION:
On one hand, the Romans may be used to many gods having multiple functions. A modern audience may find this confusing (although some world religions such as Hinduism also have polytheistic religions), however, we need to see things from a Roman perspective: the comfort for hunters going to catch food would come directly from prayers to Diana, and indeed, the psychological effect of this may have actually improved their abilities and confident in the hunt.