Essay Tips for History Students

Original concept by Martin Walsh Modified by Shaun McElroy

You know stuff! Have it organized in your mind by perspective Have researchers committed to memory Think strengths and weaknesses

Thesis Statements  Thesis Statements –Every essay must have only one. –A statement is not a question, but it should address the question! –This is the point you will make in the essay. –This should be the last sentence in your introductory paragraph. –A good thesis must be analytical, manageable, specific and clear.

Thesis Samples  The growth of the cognitive perspective comes as a reaction to the behavioral school’s ignoring the process of the mind.  One significant criticism of the biological perspective is that it reductionist, explaining complex behaviors by evolutionary needs, genetics or brain functioning.

Topic Sentences  Once you have extracted your thesis from your evidence, reexamine your evidence piles. These themes will be refined into your topic sentences. 

Now Try Outlining

Human behavior is primarily a result of environmental conditions Skinner proved that responses could be conditioned Bandura showed that behavior is modeled Even Identical twins, which share the same genetic code, do not behave similarly

Fill In the Research Holes Do you have significant, specific, and diverse evidence to support each topic sentence? Do the topic sentences develop your thesis?

Writing Focused paragraphs  The topic sentence –Your analytical opinion. –Develops your thesis. –Presents a specific idea. –Should be the first sentence of your paragraph.  Why? –Guide the writer. –Guide the reader. –Prevents your from writing a narrative. –May begin with simple word clues. First. Next. Additionally. Finally

TEFAC -it works!!!! (paragraph structure)

TEFAC--in action Topic Sentence: Bandura showed that behavior is modeled. Explanation: Bandura studied how small children tend to replicate behavior they observed, especially when the model was held in esteem.

TEFAC--in action FACTS (studies and researchers): In his landmark work with pre-school children, he …bobo…model…. Furthermore, his studies clearly showed that aggression modeled on cartoons would also be copied. Application/Analysis Bandura’s work clearly illustrates how humans tend to copy other’s behaviors. For example, …. Advertisers have long relied on our need to copy…

TEFAC--in action Conclusion Bandura’s work clearly brings modeling as an important tool in learning. The implications are staggering. If a child grows in an improvised background…. Tie it to your next thesis… The best challenge to environmental impact over genetics comes from twins raised apart.

Supporting Details  Facts and studies are required in any psychology paper.  Analysis is also a must! Take a moment to explain to the reader how all this information supports your topic sentence!

Connecting Your Details  Use, know and love common English transition words! They will help guide your paper and clarify your ideas to the reader.

Conclusions  Take the time to tie your thoughts together in a paragraph and a paper.  These are called ‘conclusary sentences.”  Also your paper must have an overall conclusion.

You can make your examiner crazy!!! Unless you include a detailed description with studies and/or theories and The name of the theorist or researcher and include an evaluation of studies and/or theories,

Your plan should look something like this:  Introductory paragraph. - Here outline how your essay will attempt to answer the question.  Description of first study/theory. Evaluation of first study/theory. TEFAC  Description of second study/theory. Evaluation of second study/theory. TEFAC  Description of last study/theory. Evaluation of last study/theory. TEFAC  Conclusion. Your conclusion should refer back to the introduction and summaries the evaluation that has been done.