This practical 8-week course will guide you step by step through the Research Study Report (RSR) — worth 20% of the Leaving Certificate History grade (Higher & Ordinary Level)
Each week includes practical historical exercises to demonstrate how this era could be turned into several possible research topics.
Introduction to the RSR & Choosing Topics
Understand the structure of the RSR (Outline Plan, Sources, Essay, Review).
Learn the importance of historical significance (the 4Rs: Remarkable, Remembered, Resulting in Change, Revealing).
Historical Exercise
Understanding Historical Significance & Framing Research Aims
Examining eras, events and individuals. Applying the 4 Rs
Focused Research. Narrowing your area.
Historical Exercise
Finding & Evaluating Sources
The importance of historical sources (biographies, books, journals & newspaper reports) Worth up to 25 marks for RSR
Sourcing three sources on the same topic
How to evaluate/critique
Historical Exercise
Completing the Outline Plan
How to create an outline plan including justification of topic, aims of research, intended approach and cited sources.
Outline Plan is worth 15 marks for RSR
Historical Exercise
Writing the Extended Essay (Part 1)
Worth up to 50 marks, should be approximately 1,500 words for Higher Level and 800 words for Ordinary Level
Importance of Structure
Historical Exercise
Writing the Extended Essay (Part 2)
Importance of Analysis and moving beyond description.
Using historians & historical evidence to maximum effect.
Historical Exercise
Understanding the Marking Schemes
Breaking down the Leaving Certificate Marking Schemes
Understand where the points are gained (and lost)
Historical Exercise
Review & Final Steps
Proof reading, feedback and drafting.