In simple terms
A friendly intro before the formal notes — no formulas yet.
Source Detectives: Finding the Links
This lesson teaches you how to analyse two historical sources side-by-side, identifying their similarities and differences to build a strong argument. Mastering this is crucial for the comparison question in Paper 1.
Imagine two friends telling you about the same concert. You'd listen to both stories, noting where they agree (e.g., 'the headline act was amazing') and where they differ (e.g., one said the crowd was energetic, the other said it was boring). Comparing historical sources is the same; you're piecing together a more complete picture by examining points of agreement and disagreement in their accounts.
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First, read the question carefully to identify the precise focus for your comparison and contrast (e.g., views on a specific policy, reasons for an event).
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Next, analyse the first source, highlighting key arguments and evidence related to the question. Note its origin and purpose.
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Then, analyse the second source, actively looking for direct points of agreement (comparison) and disagreement (contrast) with the first source.
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Finally, structure your answer by discussing one point at a time, explaining what each source says about it and directly comparing or contrasting them with evidence.
Explore the concept
Use the live diagram and synced steps — play it or tap a step card to walk through.
Full topic notes
Formal explanation with the rigour you need for the exam.
Deconstructing the Task: 'Compare and Contrast'
The instruction 'compare and contrast' is precise. 'Compare' means identifying similarities – points where the sources agree or offer similar information. 'Contrast' means identifying differences – points where the sources disagree, offer conflicting information, or focus on different aspects of the topic. A successful answer must be balanced, addressing both similarities and differences clearly and explicitly.
Compare = Find points of agreement.
Contrast = Find points of disagreement.
Balance = Address both similarities and differences in your answer.
Focus = Ensure your points relate directly to the topic specified in the question.
The 'Running Commentary' Method: Structuring for Success
The most effective way to structure your response is the 'running commentary' method. This involves integrating your discussion of both sources throughout your answer, point by point. Avoid the common pitfall of writing a paragraph about Source A and then a separate paragraph about Source B; this is description, not comparison. Instead, make a point, support it with evidence from Source A, and then immediately link it to Source B, explaining whether it agrees or disagrees, and providing evidence from Source B.
Advanced Comparison: Analysing Provenance
Top-level analysis goes beyond just the content of the sources. You can also compare and contrast their provenance (origin, purpose, value, and limitations). For example, you might have two sources that agree on the facts of an event but come from very different perspectives. One might be a public speech (purpose: to persuade), while the other is a private diary entry (purpose: to reflect). Comparing their origins and purposes can help explain why they might present information in a certain way, adding another layer of depth to your analysis.
Worked examples
See the formulas applied — reveal one step at a time, like the exam.
The following are two fictional sources. Question: Compare and contrast what Source A and Source B reveal about the nature of trench warfare during the First World War.
Source A: An extract from a letter by a British junior officer to his family, dated 1916.
'The mud is relentless, a sea of it that swallows men and equipment. The noise is constant, a terrible orchestra of shells and machine guns. Yet, there is a strange sense of camaraderie here. We look out for one another in this hellscape, sharing our rations and our fears. It is this bond that keeps us sane.'
Source B: An extract from a German soldier's diary, dated 1916.
'Days of boredom punctuated by moments of sheer terror. We sit in these waterlogged ditches, plagued by rats the size of cats. The French artillery is merciless. There is no glory here, only waiting. My comrades are strangers to me; each man is an island, lost in his own private misery. We do not speak of home.'
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Mark-scheme style solution:
The following are two fictional sources. Question: Compare and contrast the views in Source C and Source D regarding the success of the Five-Year Plans in the USSR.
Source C: An extract from the Soviet newspaper Pravda, published in 1934.
'Under the brilliant leadership of Comrade Stalin, the Soviet Union has achieved an industrial miracle. The Dnieper Hydroelectric Station, a titan of socialist construction, now powers our glorious factories. Production of steel and coal has quadrupled, proving the superiority of our planned economy over the decadent, crisis-ridden West.'
Source D: An extract from a report by a US diplomat stationed in Moscow, written in 1934.
'The Soviets laud their industrial growth, and the new factories are indeed impressive in scale. However, the official figures are highly suspect. The focus on heavy industry has come at a terrible cost. Consumer goods are virtually non-existent, and the quality of much of the new industrial output is shoddy and unusable. The human cost, particularly in the countryside, has been catastrophic.'
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Mark-scheme style solution:
How it all connects
The big idea sits in the middle — tap a linked idea to explore the link.
Tap a linked idea to see how it connects back to the main topic — that connection is what examiners reward.
Glossary
Try to recall each definition before you reveal it.
Quick check
Answer in your head first — then tap to check. No pressure.
Revision flashcards
Flip the card. Test yourself before the exam.
What does 'compare and contrast' mean in a Paper 1 question?
It requires you to identify and explain both the similarities (comparisons) and the differences (contrasts) between the two sources regarding a specific topic given in the question.
Key takeaways
Review these before you close the topic — retrieval beats re-reading.
- ✓
Compare = Find points of agreement.
- ✓
Contrast = Find points of disagreement.
- ✓
Balance = Address both similarities and differences in your answer.
- ✓
Focus = Ensure your points relate directly to the topic specified in the question.
Practice — then mark it
The whole point: a real Cambridge question, marked mark-by-mark.
Practise Paper 1 Comparison Skills
Practise Paper 1 Comparison Skills
Extra simulations & links
PhET, GeoGebra and other curated tools — open in a new tab.
Frequently asked
Checkpoint
One marked question is worth ten re-reads — close the loop before you move on.
Reading it isn’t knowing it — prove it.
Before you move on: do Practise Paper 1 Comparison Skills on paper, snap a photo, and get examiner-style feedback on exactly where you win and lose marks.