How to write a History Essay.

The Question?  The title of a history essay will always be a question. If you want to get top marks, everything you write must help to answer this question. Random information is not wanted.  The question will usually require you to decide between two or more extreme responses to the answer

For Example….  Example: Why did William win the Battle of Hastings? Possible response 1. William’s skill. Possible response 2 Harold’s bad luck. Possible reason 3 Harold’s bad judgement.

You must decide three things. 1. Which answer is the best one? 2. Is it the best answer by a long way or by a little bit? 3. Are there any links between the possible answers?

How do I structure an essay? Introduction: Sets out your overall answer to the question. Very briefly explains what will be covered and should at least hint at your overall conclusion. Introduction: Sets out your overall answer to the question. Very briefly explains what will be covered and should at least hint at your overall conclusion. Main body: Deals with one point in each paragraph. Follows the layout established in the introduction. Main body: Deals with one point in each paragraph. Follows the layout established in the introduction. Conclusion: the most tricky paragraph, but in some ways the least important. Make clear your overall conclusion again, and if you can, deal with what new issues that conclusion raises. If you can’t, don’t worry about it. Conclusion: the most tricky paragraph, but in some ways the least important. Make clear your overall conclusion again, and if you can, deal with what new issues that conclusion raises. If you can’t, don’t worry about it.

How do I structure a paragraph? One point per paragraph only. One point per paragraph only. First sentence: explain the main point of the paragraph. First sentence: explain the main point of the paragraph. Support your point, quoting the evidence you have used. Support your point, quoting the evidence you have used. Qualify your point, using evidence that goes against some part of your main point. Qualify your point, using evidence that goes against some part of your main point. Last sentence: reaffirm your main point – explain why the evidence that goes against it is less important than the evidence that supports it. Last sentence: reaffirm your main point – explain why the evidence that goes against it is less important than the evidence that supports it.

So, your essay and each paragraph in it should each have a three part structure:  Introduction  Main body  Conclusion.

Some Do’s and Don’t’s!  DO be confident. Your opinion is as valid as anyone else’s. The most successful historians in the world often have their work very harshly criticised by other historians. DO plan. If you really were ‘one of those people who just writes’, we would have noticed. 99.9% of people write much better when they plan. DO support your opinion with evidence, especially when you are given sources to use by the examiner. DO take time to read through what you have written at the end.

Do…… DO prepare properly… DO think about the different questions you may be asked. DO make sure your subject knowledge is strong. Structuring will come with practice, but there’s no excuse for not knowing your stuff. DO leave lines between paragraphs. It takes zero time or effort and makes your structure significantly more clear to the examiner.

Don’t….  DON’T tell the story. It’s the same as someone asking you whether a film was any good, or why a football team won or lost a game you saw, and you just droning on about every last thing that happened. ANALYSE. DON’T worry too much in the exam about spellings. But once you’re in the exam, you either know them or you don’t. Try to make sure you remember difficult subject–related spellings, e.g. Stresemann, whipped, armaments, constitutional, but in the exam just write what you think is the correct spelling and leave it at that.

Don’t…….  DON’T use informal language. DON’T think presentation doesn’t matter. If the examiner can’t read your work or even just has difficulty doing so, he or she will not be keen to give you good marks. DON’T use “I”. The examiner can see your name at the top of your sheet (well, should be able to see, maybe DO write your name on your work should have been included). He or she knows that what is written is your opinion, and he can tell the difference between the evidence you have quoted and your interpretation of it.

Finally… All you need to do is PEEL!  Point  Evidence  Explain  Link

Essay......Done!