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 Question Example 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 Question Example 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.

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 Question Example 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 Question Example

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 Question Example

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 the Puritans who were influential settlers of the Americas

Step 2: Pre-writing Example: Calvinism in America Outline I. Intro (1paragraph) A.What Calvinism is B.Summary of his followers C.Intro into what his followers believed D.Thesis

Step 2: Pre-writing Example: Calvinism in America Outline II. Body (2-3) A.Impact- Politics & Government 1.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-writing Example: Calvinism in America Outline B. 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- Society 1.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-writing Example: Calvinism in America Outline B. Conclusion 1.Impacts 2.Summary of his followers 3.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