10 History Home

Task 1. Mao’s impact on China

To what extent do you agree with the following statement?

'Mao's policies after 1949 achieved their intended goals' 

Ensure that you refer to the following events in your essay.   

  1. Land Reform

  2. Collectivisation and Communes

  3. Social reforms (women’s rights, education, health care)

  4. The Great leap forward 

Your essay must include the following:

  • An historical overview of the period. Cause and Effect is always a clear way of achieving this.

  • Primary source evidence from individuals who were directly involved and/or affected by the event

  • Use the different perspectives and feelings from people you have researched to explain the impact and significance of your period

Use the following guide to help structure and write this response:

  • Essay written entirely in class

  • No AI tools, internet, or notes beyond the approved planning page

  • One handwritten or printed Essay Plan Notes page allowed (see below)

  • Teacher may set slightly different questions for different classes

  • Submit planning notes at the end of the test.

Remember: Strong essays are built on clear thinking, not perfect wording.

If you cannot explain your argument without reading it, you do not understand it.

Planning Notes (Planning notes will be checked before the task begins.)

Allowed Format

  • Bullet points only

  • Single A4 page

  • Handwritten or teacher approved printed sheet

  • No full sentences

  • No quotations longer than 5 words

Not Allowed

  • Paragraphs of prose

  • Pre‑written introductions or conclusions

  • Model answers

  • AI‑generated text copied verbatim

Your planning notes should include:

  • Key policies and dates

  • Evidence for positive impacts

  • Evidence for negative impacts

  • A clear thesis statement

 

Essay planning

Paragraphs are beautiful - a four step fail safe plan 

To do: Writing a TEEL paragraph

  1. Topic: Begin EACH  new paragraph with a clear and precise topic sentence that refers directly to the content of the paragraph. The topic sentence tells the reader what the paragraph is about, or its main idea

  2. Explain: Explain what you mean in greater detail.

  3. Evidence: Provide evidence to support your idea or claim. To do this, refer to your research. This may include: case studies, statistics, documentary evidence, academic books or journal articles. Remember that all evidence will require appropriate citation.

  4. Link: Summarise the main idea of the paragraph, and make clear how this paragraph supports your overall argument. The linking sentence links one paragraph to the next and provides another device for helping you ensure your text is cohesive. 

Resources