You’re told to strive for a Band 6 in your HSCAncient Historyextended response, but what exactly goes into a Band 6 response?
And what’s the difference between a Band 4 or a Band 5 or a Band 6? What criteria needs to be met to place you into the highest Band?
Don’t sweat!This article will be an in-depth examination into an HSC Ancient History question, and will provide you with sample HSC Ancient History extended responses for Bands 4, 5 and 6 so you know exactly what needs to be done to achieve a Band 6 response!
To help you understand what goes into a Band 6 response, we will be looking at the 2013 HSC Ancient History question:
参照repr的信息和想法ented in Sources F, G and H, and your own knowledge, explain how new research and technologies since the 1980s have changed earlier interpretations of human remains from Pompeii and Herculaneum.
Let’s look at excerpts of Band 4, 5 and 6 HSC Ancient History extended responses for the above question and highlight the positives and negatives of each!
Example 1: Band 6 Extended Response
Example 2: Band 5 Extended Response
Example 3: Band 4 Extended Response
Key Differences Between These Extended Responses
Example 1: Band 6 Extended Response
Marking Criteria:
| Band 6 Response | Provides aninformed and comprehensive explanationofhownew research and technologies have changed earlier interpretations of human remains Integratesideas from Sources provided and own knowledge relating toboth Pompeii and Herculaneum Provides adetailed, structured responseusing arange of appropriatehistorical terms and concepts |
This response would be given a mark of 9/10 or 10/10 – and here’s why:
1. Given sourcereference:Incorporates Source F into the response in a relevant manner, which is one of requirements of a Band 6 response
2. Specificity:Mentions a specific piece ofevidencein the form of archaeological research, and highlights how it has affected our current understanding
3. Analysis of specific evidence:Elaborates further on the archaeological evidence given (Estelle Lazer’s research) by mentioning a specific find that encapsulates why the evidence is useful
4. Source reference:Again, specific name-dropping of modern historians and archaeologists is mandatory if you want a Band 6 – this one mentions Fiorellias well as他实际的研究
5.Relevant complimentary source:More evidence to support this new idea (technological advancements), this time regarding Herculaneum (it’s important for a Band 6 response to mention information about BOTH Pompeii and Herculaneum)
6. Analysis of specific evidence:Similar to number 3, this section elaborates further on the evidence presented by giving specific details like health, birth rate, age and diet, which is very useful information
7. Given sourcereference:Incorporates Source G into the response in a relevant manner, which is one of requirements of a Band 6 response
8. Given sourcereference:Incorporates Source H into the response in a relevant manner, which is one of requirements of a Band 6 response
Example 2: Band 5 Extended Response
Marking Criteria:
| Band 5 Response | Provides aninformed explanationofhownew research and technologies have changed earlier interpretations of human remains Usesideas from Sources provided and own knowledge relating toPompeii and Herculaneum Provides astructured responseusingappropriatehistorical terms and concepts |
This response would be given a mark of 7/10 or 8/10 – here’s why:
1. Given sourcereference:Incorporates Source F into the response in a relevant manner, which is one of requirements of a Band 6 response
2. Specificity:Mentions a specific piece of evidence in the form of archaeological research, and highlights how it has affected our current understanding
3. Analysis of specific evidence:While this information is useful, it neglects to mention any specific findings such as the Lady of Oplontis. This alone won’t drop you to a Band 5, but the more specific evidence you can give, the better.
4. Interdisciplinary reference:Mentions specific technological advancements that have affected our current understanding
5.源头e reference:Specific name-dropping of modern historians and archaeologists is mandatory if you want a Band 6 – this one mentions Fiorelli as well as his actual research.
6. Relevant complimentary source:More evidence to support this new idea (technological advancements), this time regarding Herculaneum (it’s important to mention information about BOTH Pompeii and Herculaneum)
7. Lack of analysis:‘Vital information’ is highlighted because the response doesn’t actually explain what that ‘vital information’ is. It’s good to mention that something has had an impact, but it’s better to provide specific examples, such as ‘birth rate, age and diet’ for this part in particular
8. Given sourcereference:Incorporates Source G into the response in a relevant manner, which is one of requirements of a Band 6 response
9. Given sourcereference:Incorporates Source H into the response in a relevant manner, which is one of requirements of a Band 6 response
Example 3: Band 4 Extended Response
Marking Criteria:
| Band 4 Response | Providesrelevant informationabout new research and technologiesand/orhowthey have changed earlier interpretations of human remains Usesideas from Sources provided and own knowledge relating toPompeii and/or Herculaneum Provides aresponseusingsomeappropriatehistorical terms and concepts |
This response would be given a mark of 5/10 or 6/10 – here’s why:
1. Specificity:Mentions specific technological advancements that have affected our current understanding
2. Source reference:Mentioning modern historians and archaeologists is essential for a well-written response – this one mentions Fiorelli as well as his actual research
3. Relevant complimentary source:More evidence to support this new idea (technological advancements), this time regarding Herculaneum (it’s important to mention information about BOTH Pompeii and Herculaneum)
4. Lack of analysis:‘Vital information’ is highlighted because the response doesn’t actually explain what that ‘vital information’ is; it’s good to mention that something has had an impact, but it’s better to provide specific examples, such as ‘birth rate, age and diet’ for this part in particular
5.Given sourcereference:Incorporates Source G into the response in a relevant manner, which is one of requirements of a Band 6 response
6. Given sourcereference:Incorporates Source H into the response in a relevant manner, which is one of requirements of a Band 6 response. Although, this could have been discussed with more detail than a single sentence to ensure you’re mentioning all the important information in the Source, rather than just listing it in passing
7. Structure, Syntax, Format:While this information is useful, it is repetitive. Paragraph 1 already mentioned new technologies, so by returning to it in the third paragraph indicates that this response was rushed and lacked a proper structure, and the student was probably regurgitating information that they had already mentioned in the hopes of getting more marks.
If possible, try to mentionnewinformation in every sentence or paragraph, rather than rehashing old ideas. Also make sure you have a well-planned structure before you begin writing your response, otherwise it could result in a poorly structured response like this.
8. Lack of analysis:Similar to 4, just stating ‘revealed new information’ is pointless unless you’re actually mentioning what that new information is. Ensure you mention lots of specific pieces of evidence, rather than making blanket statements like this that contribute little to the argument.
Key Differences Between Bands 4, 5 and 6
有三个主要领域的t之间的区别he Band 4, 5, and 6 responses: information, sources, and structure.
Area #1: Information
Band 6:
Responses will provide aninformed and comprehensive explanation!
Informed = astrong understandingof the topic/question
Comprehensive = awell-roundedunderstanding of the topic/question, including avariety of informationthat covers most of thevital points
Band 5:
Responses will provide aninformed explanation
Informed = astrong understandingof the topic/question
Band 4:
Responses will providerelevant information
Relevant = informationrelating tothe topic/question, butnot enough information to satisfy the markers e.g. important ideas/people/dates
Area #2: Sources
Band 6:
Responses willintegrate源头es and own knowledge relating toboth Pompeii and Herculaneum!
Integrate = incorporate evidencethroughout the entire response, using sources and own knowledgeto support your argument
Both Pompeii and Herculaneum = provides information relating tobothcities, rather than just one
Band 5:
Responses willuse源头es and own knowledge relating toboth Pompeii and Herculaneum
Use = uses evidencesporadicallythroughout the response, using sources and own knowledgeto supportsome aspectsof your argument
Both Pompeii and Herculaneum = provides information relating tobothcities, rather than just one
Band 4:
Responses willuse源头es and own knowledge relating toPompeii and/or Herculaneum
Use = uses evidencesporadicallythroughout the response, using sources and own knowledgeto supportsome aspectsof your argument
Pompeii and/or Herculaneum = provides information relating tooneof the cities,neglecting information from the other
Area #3: Structure
Band 6:
Responses will provide adetailed, structured responseusing arange of appropriatehistorical terms and concepts!
Detailed = information exploredin-depth, rather thanbrushed over
Structured = aclear, coherent structurewhere each pointfollows logically to the next, rather than jumping from random idea to random idea
Range of appropriate = awide varietyof sources that arerelevant to the question
Band 5:
Responses will provide astructured responseusingappropriatehistorical terms and concepts
Structured = aclear, coherent structurewhere each pointfollows logically to the next, rather than jumping from random idea to random idea
Appropriate = use of sources that arerelevant to the question, but may only use a few sources rather than a wide variety
Band 4:
Responses will provide aresponseusingsomeappropriatehistorical terms and concepts
Response = a response that isnot very detailed or structured,doesnot explore information in depthand information seems tojump from random idea to random idea
Some appropriate = use ofsomesources that arerelevant to the question, but may only use a few sources rather than a wide variety
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Jack Theodouloustudies a double degree of Education/Arts majoring in English at the University of Sydney. Previously an instructor of classical guitar, Jack began coaching at Art of Smart in 2015. In his spare time, Jack often finds himself entangled in a love-hate relationship with creative writing and an occasional obsession with video games.
