European World Essay Writing Skills Giada Pizzoni (G.Pizzoni@warwick.ac.uk) Aysu Dincer (A.Dincer@warwick.ac.uk) Naomi Pullin (Naomi.wood@warwick.ac.uk)

Outline Understanding the question Research Planning Writing Final touches

1. Selecting a question and Research

What is an essay? Take a few minutes to discuss with the people near you – be prepared to feed back to the group!

How to select a question Questions on the European World website in two places: LECTURE AND SEMINAR PROGRAMME -> seminar topic page, e.g. Daily life in Early Modern Europe -> top of the page FURTHER RESOURCES -> FURTHER TOPICS AND READING -> four pages on Society and Economy, Religion, Culture and Politics Past exam papers You can create your own questions (with the permission and assistance of your seminar tutor) Choose a topic that interests you! Choose a topic that you have recently studied DO NOT choose a topic that you’ve covered in a different module

Sample Questions To what extent was the Reformation an urban event? Can printing be regarded as a 'revolutionary' force in Renaissance and Reformation Europe? What turned popular discontent into rebellion? ‘Early modern men and women were equally constrained by gender expectations.’ Discuss. To what extent did absolute regimes vary across early modern Europe?

Understanding the Question ‘To what extent … ?’ ‘Account for …’ ‘How important was … ?’ ‘What was the impact of … ?’ ‘Discuss …’ ‘Why did … ?’ ‘What were the main developments … ?’ ‘Compare …’

Research – Finding Information European World Module Website Footnotes and bibliographies Library search facilities- Encore Electronic resources: Historical abstracts: Encore > Databases JSTOR: http://www.jstor.org/

Research – Primary Sources Course handbook and module website Collections of sources Online resources: http://sourcebooks.fordham.edu/halsall/mod/modsbook.asp http://www.british-history.ac.uk/ http://historicaltexts.jisc.ac.uk/

Research – Taking Notes Focus on what the question requires Be selective Know when to stop! Keep detailed bibliographical information (including page numbers) Distinguish clearly between direct quotations and your own thoughts

2. Planning and structuring your essay

Structure Good structure: Clear and concise Helps to outline argument Regular paragraphs Balanced Logical Bad structure: Random arrangement of ideas Difficult to follow argument Uneven (especially overlong) paragraphs Doesn’t support argument

Q: Did the emergence of the ‘public sphere’ owe more to the growth of the press or economic and social change? Structure 1: Intro. (250 words) Para. 1: the press (300) Para. 2: the press (300) Para. 3: economic change (300) Para. 4: social change (300) Para. 5: Alternative factors (300) Conclusion (250) Structure 2: Intro. (400 words) Para. 1: the press (400) Para. 2: the press (100) Para. 3: economic change (450) Para. 4: the press (150) Conclusion (500)

Writing – Introduction Establish question Explain context Outline how you are going to answer Define terms Outline (and explain) the scope of your essay

Point  Evidence  Explanation Writing – Content Clear, balanced paragraphs Make sure each point is developed Sign-post – explain the point of the paragraph in its opening Offer your evidence Break down and analyse the evidence Engage with your secondary and primary sources critically Analyse, don’t describe Point  Evidence  Explanation

Writing – Conclusion Reiterate the question Summarise your argument and the points raised Draw out your overall conclusions Perhaps mention any broader implications Do not introduce new material! Ensure that by the end of the essay you have answered the question

3. Final touches and marking criteria

Final Touches Leave time to edit your first draft Reference correctly (refer to the undergraduate history department handbook) NB the History Department referencing system now follows the Modern Humanities Research Association system (MHRA): http://www.mhra.org.uk/Publications/Books/StyleGuide/ Follow presentation/formatting guidelines carefully Do take account of the word count Does your tutor have any preferences? Proofread!

Approaching European World answers Avoid generalisations It can be more manageable to focus your answer on particular geographical case-studies Be aware of change over time Think about the specific people you are discussing – be aware of cultural/social/economic factors such as their gender, race, social status, religious affiliation

Historiography Historiography refers to two things: A history of “history” A reflection on how history has been and is written (concepts/theories/methodologies employed) Introductions to books often provide good overview of key historiographical perspectives Book reviews are also useful for assessing the effectiveness of a scholarly argument There is not always a clear-cut debate. Use your own judgement to assess what approach has been taken and whether it is relevant to the question at hand.

The mark scheme: 2.2 answers Lower Second (50-59) Basically satisfactory answer to the question. Limited coverage of relevant material; some inaccuracy in the detail Some attempt to mobilise evidence in relation to the argument being presented.. Analysis taking second place to narrative and description. Limited understanding of relevant concepts, theoretical or historiographical perspectives or methodological issues. Adequate writing style, presentation and structuring of arguments.

The mark scheme: 2.1 answers Upper second (60-69) Direct answer to the question, establishing the wider significance of the issues concerned. Adequate coverage of the relevant material, accuracy in the details. Skilful mobilisation of evidence in relation to the argument being presented. Narrative and description taking second place to analysis. Competent manipulation of relevant concepts, theoretical or historiographical perspectives or methodological issues. Fluent writing style; effective presentation and structuring of arguments.

2:1- ‘competent manipulation’ As far as possible, paraphrase (don’t quote) the arguments of other historians. Demonstrate an awareness of how historians have approached the topic: If there is a historiographical debate, cover both sides. If the approaches taken have changed over time, explain how. Tell, and show, us that your opinion matches or differs from a / several other historians.

The mark scheme: First class answers Persuasive and direct answer to the question, establishing the wider significance of the issues concerned. Comprehensive coverage of the relevant material; accuracy in the details. A direct and coherent argument, well supported by relevant evidence. Critical analysis of relevant concepts, theoretical or historiographical perspectives or methodological issues. Fluent and engaging writing style; persuasive presentation and structuring of arguments.

1st- ‘critical analysis’ This is meant to be difficult Explain why your opinion matches or differs from that of other historians. Analyse the approach(es) historians have taken to the topic: what are its strengths & weaknesses, why was it taken, what questions does it (not) ask? If you view a particular historian’s approach as convincing, explain why. Situate your own work–what approach have you taken? How is this similar / different to existing and past approaches? For a high first: why is your approach better, what can it tell us that we don’t know already, and why does that matter?

Some Useful Resources L. Sangha and J. Willis (eds.), Understanding Early Modern Primary Sources (London: Routledge, 2016) (ebook) Catherine Dawson, The Complete Study Skills Guide (Oxford, 2011) Black and MacRaild, Palgrave Study Skills: Studying History (3rd edition, Basingstoke, 2007) Lambert and Schofield (eds.), Making History: An Introduction to the history and practices of a discipline (Abingdon, 2004) Marc Bloc, The Historian’s Craft, trans. Peter Putnam (Manchester, 2006; originally published in 1954) – a classic text on the discipline of history

Any questions?