Mastering Picture Source Inference: Sec 1 & 2 History Guide

Updated: Jan 20

Key Takeaways: Inference Technique

The Golden Rule: Inference is a conclusion, not a description. If you are just describing what you see, you are not answering the question.
For Cartoons: Look for Symbols (objects representing ideas) and Exaggeration (features drawn extremely large or small).
The Formula: Inference = Conclusion + Visual Evidence + Explanation.

The Difference Between Describing and Inferring

Many students lose marks because they simply "say what they see."

Description (Wrong): "The source shows a Japanese soldier holding a gun."
Inference (Right): "The source suggests that the Japanese rule was ruled by fear and force."

Follow these four steps to structure your answer perfectly for Sec 1 and Sec 2 History:

Identify the Issue: Read the question carefully. Are you being asked about "living conditions" or "attitude"?
Make Your Inference: State your conclusion clearly. Start with "I can infer that..."
Provide Visual Evidence: Describe the specific part of the image that supports your point. "This is evident in the source which shows..."
Explain the Link: Explain why that image supports your conclusion. "This suggests that..."

If the picture source is a cartoon, use the S.E.T. method:

Symbols: Does a dove represent peace? Does a dragon represent China?
Exaggeration: Are body parts or actions drawn overly big to emphasize a point?
Tone: Is the cartoonist mocking the subject or praising them?

Question: What can you infer from Source A about the Japanese Occupation?
Answer: I can infer that the Japanese were very violent. [Inference]
- Evidence: This is evident in Source A which shows a Japanese soldier drawn as a large gorilla destroying a village. [Visual Evidence]
- Explanation: This suggests that the Japanese caused significant death and destruction during their invasion, behaving like wild beasts. [Explanation]

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