ABSTRACT
This chapter aims to prepare for essays and examinations at AS rather than A2, which has a different approach. ‘Synoptic’ in the context of A2 History has two possible meanings. The first is the connection between some of the different topics covered at AS and A2 to create a broader perspective on another paper; this is required by some specifications but not by others. The second is an approach within an A2 paper which requires an analysis of the broad sweep of change over a period of approximately 100 years. Coverage at A2 is based on ‘themes’, some of which cover the whole period; an example of a ‘theme’ might be political repression in Russia 1855–1956. As with the Historical Interpretation, the skills developed at AS lead to those needed at AS. This time, the change concerns the way in which perspectives are viewed. The transition from AS to A2 is therefore entirely logical.
