To assess the causes, consequences or significance of an event, ask students to produce an answer from the perspective of one or more particular witnesses. For example,

How would the Kaiser’s explanation of Origins of World War One differ from that of the British Prime Minister?

How would Hitler explain his rise to power? How would this compare to an account by a communist?

To take it further, ask students to consider exactly what evidence each witness would use to back up their case; you could also provide key pieces of evidence and ask how each side could interpret them differently to substantiate their case.