Writing a history essay

Do Now: Think of a time you were “stuck” when writing a paper. What steps or strategies do you think may

have helped you?

Video Steps we can take to avoid being like

Spongebob…

The pain of writing an essay

1. Determine the question being asked 2. Actively read the documents, taking notes

of the main idea 3. Develop a thesis based on the documents

and the question 4. Identify the evidence you will use to support

your thesis 5. Develop an outline which includes an

opening (thesis), evidential body, and closing that summarizes your argument

5 steps for evidence based writing

How will you answer the question being asked? What evidence is there to support your thesis? How will you organize your presentation of the

evidence? How will you sum up your argument in the closing?

Developing an argument

Become familiar

with organizers such as this one. Organize

your outline into a similar

structure before writing.

Never use 1st person. Never write “In this essay.” Never write “In my opinion” or “I think.” It’s

redundant. Do not use the general you. Use one instead. Avoid using this or that as a subject (i.e., This

made an enormous difference). It is better to be more specific: (i.e., This new development made an enormous difference).

Style

When you first discuss an author or historical

figure, use first and last name. After this, you are free to use last name only. Do not, however, refer to historical figures by their first name; e.g., Karl Marx should be referred to as Marx, rather than Karl. This rule applies for women as well as men. Emily Dickinson should be called Dickinson rather than Mrs. Dickinson.

Using names- Style

Introduce quoted material.

As esteemed author and writer John Smith writes in his 1776 memoir, ‘I was a ….’

This is clearly the case when Smith writes… Examples or quotations s hould not, however,

be introduced as follows: On page five it says… or In the book it says…

Quotes and style

List three strategies in structure or style you

will utilize in your next evidence based writing task.

Exit reflection