How to write a Historical Essay

Step 1: Understand the Question

Read the question carefully. Make sure you

understand the question. Underline key

words and phrases. Make a decision on the

direction you are going to take in answering

the question.

Step 1: Understand the QuestionExample

1. Explain how John Calvin is a significant figure in U.S. History, and how his followers have had such a huge impact on American ideas especially during the early colony days. In your essay please mention the impact of politics, economy, religion and government.

 

Step 1: Understand the QuestionExample

1. Explain how John Calvin is a significant figure in U.S. History, and how his followers have had such a huge impact on American ideas especially during the early colony days. In your essay please mention the impact of politics, economy, religion and government.

 

Step 1: Understand the QuestionExample

2. Please explain the origins and give the essence of each of the three regions of colonial America. Please discuss in your essay the ideas of: politics, economy, government and society for each of the regions. Regions discussed should be, New England, Southern/Plantation, Middle colonies.

Step 1: Understand the QuestionExample

2. Please explain the origins and give the essence of each of the three regions of colonial America. Please discuss in your essay the ideas of: politics, economy, government and society for each of the regions. Regions discussed should be, New England, Southern/Plantation, Middle colonies.

What is significant about England's defeat of the Spanish Armada, and how did this defeat led to the English dominance and the British Empire during the colonial period?

◦What do you need to answer here?◦How would you answer the question? ◦What are the key words?

Step 1: Understand the QuestionExample

What is significant about England's defeat of the Spanish Armada, and how did this defeat led to the English dominance and the British Empire during the colonial period?

◦What do you need to answer here?◦How would you answer the question? ◦What are the key words?

Step 1: Understand the QuestionExample

Step 2: Pre-writing

Brainstorm Ideas - List down notes, key words, facts and phrases that relate to the topic of your essay.

Sort-Sort and group notes and words together under possible topics. Eliminate unrelated or unusable facts and phrases.

Step 2: Pre-writing

Outline-Make an outline of the points you want to cover in your answer.

Intro-Body-Conclusion

Step 2: Pre-writing

Thesis- Create a working thesis try to answer the question in one sentence. ◦“ Its okay to keep it simple”◦“Its okay to use the question in the thesis”

John Calvin was a significant person in US

history because of his impact on thePuritans who were influential settlers of

theAmericas

Step 2: Pre-writingExample: Calvinism in America

OutlineI. Intro (1paragraph)

A. What Calvinism isB. Summary of his followersC. Intro into what his followers

believedD. Thesis

Step 2: Pre-writingExample: Calvinism in America

OutlineII. Body (2-3)A. Impact- Politics &

Government1. Examples of Calvinism in politics

a) Policy of living of people who disobeyed

2. Examples of Calvinism in government

a) Puritans developed a logical system of government based on democracy—like a good Christian you should value all people.

Step 2: Pre-writingExample: Calvinism in America

OutlineB. Impact-Economy

1. Examples of Calvinism in the Economy a) Hard-working business people ,

economy was based on practical items that can be produced with hands.

C. Impact- Society2. Examples of Calvinism in Society

a) Society was equal in the eyes of God, the preachers were thought to have a direct line to god. People who were preaching against their religion were thrown out.

Step 2: Pre-writingExample: Calvinism in America

OutlineB. Conclusion1. Impacts2. Summary of his followers3. Restate Thesis

Step 3: Develop Your Thesis

Define and refine your personal opinion on

the given topic. Are for or against the

statement or question presented? Do

accept, reject, or qualify the proposed

argument? You must take a stand, and define

your thesis! An essay without a thesis is not

only boring but also bound to fail.

Step 5: Write

Introduction (1 Paragraph)

◦ Opening ◦ Paraphrase the essay/state

what your going to say◦ Thesis

Step 5: Write

Body (2-3 Paragraphs)◦ Opening sentence◦ How your fact or example

relates to the topic ◦ Wrap up sentence relating

to the thesis

Step 5: Write

Conclusion (1 Paragraph)

◦ Reversed introduction◦ State what you said and

short summary of why it is important

◦ Closing statement

Step 5: Write Write logically and use reason, use

transitions when going to the next paragraph.

When writing always remember what the topic was stated and don’t write about something that is not in the topic.

Insert your knowledge and research in order, don’t just write it all down, because it won’t make sense

One or two ideas=one paragraph DON’T DIGRESS!

Step 5: Write

Remember when writing a historical essay

◦Examine the past critically, but try to avoid judging the past by today’s standards.

◦Read the past in the context of the time.

◦Base your judgments on the weight of evidence. Be prepared to change your mind about things.

Step 5: Write

Write your essay. Remember when writing a

historical essay ◦Examine the past critically, but try to

avoid judging the past by today’s standards.

◦Read the past in the context of the time.

◦Base your judgments on the weight of evidence. Be prepared to change your mind about things.

Step 4: Write Read, Edit, Reword

Read your essay and change any words or

phrases that need changes