How to Succeed in your Junior Cycle History CBA

The difference between your CBAs

CBA1, 'The Past in my Place', must be based on something in "your place". This could mean your local area, country of origin or maybe even somewhere you've spent a lot of time during your life, it's a place that is meaningful to you. After completing CBA1, you will complete CBA2, 'The Life in Time'. This CBA must be based on a topic outside Ireland if you've chosen an Irish topic for CBA1. Unlike CBA1, this is based on a person of historical significance rather than a place. Both CBAs cannot be in either Ireland or the wider world alone.

Conducting your research

When conducting your research you should create a list of questions about your topic that you want to answer in your CBA. Your CBA needs to present clear and specific information and findings. To create a CBA of high quality this clarity of research and focus in what you present is very important!

Where to find information for your CBA

When you've chosen your CBA topic you must decide where to gather information on this topic. How about considering asking a family member or someone in your locality if your chosen topic is local? This would be called an oral source and would be an excellent, unique source! You could also check out your local library for information, as well perhaps visiting the historical site itself to take photos or videos. Think creatively when planning where and how to gather your information!

Presenting your final product

After gathering all of your information you must bring all that research together in a final 'report' or 'display'. This final presentation can be a PowerPoint, a large poster, a timeline, a newspaper report, a video, a model, a family tree, a booklet, or any other form of presentation you can think of, the choice is yours! This report or display needs to be detailed, clear, and include a reflection on the CBA process you have completed.

To read Laura's full CBA History guide, click here.

If you'd like some help with your History exam, you'll find our 'How to Succeed in your Junior Cycle History Exam' guide here!