20 th Century History Essay Writing guide

Structure Format is similar to an English essay - Introduction - Body Paragraphs Offer Historical evidence that supports your contention - Conclusion Approximately words Detailed evaluation of the topic

How is it different? History essays require you to analyse, evaluate and explain the significance of events in contributing to particular situations. E.g. If you get a question about the causes of World War One, you need to not only show that you know what happened in events prior to 1914, but HOW they caused the war.

Analysing the question When you receive your topic, consider the following: What is the problem it suggests? What is your reaction to the topic: do you agree or disagree, or are you unsure? What kind of information is the question asking me to use? How can I link these ideas together?

Establishing an argument You will need to consider what the question is asking and form a contention for your essay – this should be clearly evident through all of your key points By now, you may have formulated a good understanding of how other historians have interpreted the issues and addressed this topic. You now need to consider how you are going to convey this in your argument.

Example “The treaty of Versailles claimed that Germany was solely responsible for the outbreak of the Great War (WW1).” Evaluate to what extent this statement is true. Agree with the contention: Because German militarism hoped for a war in Europe to test it’s superiority

Perhaps it’s true? It was not Germany but the militaristic state of Prussia which was solely responsible for had it not been able to unify Germany we would not have seen war on such a great and devastating scale Disagree with the contention It was a combination of factors from all major European powers which would ignite a war that had never been fought on such a grand scale.

Using Evidence Reference to and analysis of specific events MUST be included Use references to primary and secondary source materials and perspectives to support your analysis Consider multiple views on events and why these conclusions have been reached

Sources & Bibliography If you refer to specific perspectives or information in your essay, you are required to cite this in a bibliography at the conclusion of your essay As this is a research essay, you are expected to be finding source materials and including reference to these in your writing

Example questions ‘The emergence of new political ideas was the pivotal cause of WW1’ Discuss. ‘The decisions made by Kaiser Wilhelm II up to & during WW1 gave more influence to the events that transpired than any other leader’. To what extent do you agree? ‘Discuss the way people perceived WW1 and how propaganda cartoons and rumours impacted on or shaped these perceptions.’ ‘The first World War was caused by a conflict of ideologies.’ To what extent do you agree?

More examples Evaluate to what extent ‘the war of 1914 was a war for the redivision of the world and of spheres of influence. All the imperialist states had long been preparing for it and as such, the imperialists of all countries were responsible for the war.’ To what extent do you agree that the decisions made by Kaiser Wilhelm II up to and during World War One gave more influence to the events that transpired than any other leader?

Your turn Working in groups: Create 3 predicted Outcome questions. Evaluate what information could be used to respond to these questions. Collective planning to a practice essay