Last updated: Sept 30, 2022
This page has been created to support Year 8 HASS students with their inquiry task on Medieval Heroes and Villains.
Before you start your research, make sure you have:
- Developed your focus questions to direct your research
- Organised a way to record the information you find
- Checked you are taking notes effectively
See the hints below to help with this.
Defining your task
Creating focus questions
Focus questions are important because they make sure you only include information relevant to your assignment. To help you create your focus questions try the following models:
Locating the information
Finding the best information
The most reliable information will be found on the:
eResources page, or
the Pathfinder pages below.
Make sure you also look at:
Recording your information
Choosing a format to record your notes
There are many different ways to take your notes:
Why not try the column approach?
You can also use:
- Other note making templates
- Word / Pages
- Evernote
Recording your information
Making notes
Remember when making notes:
- read the text first to get the gist of it, then start taking notes on the second read
- only record information that relates to your assignment question
- use dot points instead of full sentences and keep them short
- use abbreviations or your own symbols for common words
Background information about the Middle Ages
The people below all lived during the Middle Ages. This was a very different time from now. Have a look at the following pages to remind yourself about conditions during the Middle Ages and how that might have affected the behaviour of your chosen person.
Countries and borders
This website allows you to select put in a year to see what countries existed during that time. Put in a year from your person’s life and see what the world looked like for them. See if you can spot where the modern countries are today.
Women
Mark, J. J. (2019, March 18). Women in the Middle Ages. World History Encyclopedia. https://www.worldhistory.org/article/1345/women-in-the-middle-ages/
Trueman, C.N. (2016). Medieval women. http://www.historylearningsite.co.uk/medieval-england/medieval-women/
Women in the middle ages. (2011). http://www.heeve.com/middle-ages-history/women-in-the-middle-ages.html
Punishment
Roberts, M. (2014). Crime and punishment. http://www.medievalchronicles.com/medieval-torture-devices/medieval-crime-punishment/
Religion
Medieval Islamic Civilisations (n.d.). https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/articles/zw8nhcw#zbwx2v4
Middle ages for kids: Catholic Church and cathedrals. (2016). http://www.ducksters.com/history/middle_ages/catholic_church_cathedrals.php
Newman, S. (n.d.). Religion in the middle ages. http://www.thefinertimes.com/Middle-Ages/religion-in-the-middle-ages.html
Qualities of a hero
Don’t forget that you need to look for evidence that might make them a hero or villain. Not sure what makes a hero? This article, Characteristics and Qualities of Heroism, may help you work out what characteristics a person might have that makes them a hero.
Writing a persuasive essay
Read the following page for hints and tips about writing a persuasive essay
OR
Watch the following video
People from the Middle Ages
* While listed as an easier topic, keep in mind the reading level may be more challenging for some readers.
References
Medieval fashion [Image]. (n.d.). https://rheagupta1995.wordpress.com/2014/12/03/fashion-in-the-medieval-period/