There are two kinds of students on this planet. The first group is always on top of their assignments and essays. They’ve already completed research for an upcoming deadline, and are on their way to write a compelling history essay.
The second group of students dreads the thought of writing a history essay. They push it to the back burner until the deadline approaches. Then, they’re left with no choice but to spend sleepless nights writing a mediocre essay with minimal research.
If you’re reading this blog, you know you belong to the second category of students.
But here’s the thing – writing a history essay doesn’t always have to send chills down your spine. You can use it as an opportunity to strengthen your understanding of historical events. Also, it’s a great way to polish your analytical and critical thinking skills.
So, how do you write a winning history essay without breaking a sweat? In this blog, we’ll discuss a few useful techniques to handhold you through the process of drafting a research-driven history essay. Let’s get started.
Read the Question Again
The importance of going through the question and guidelines of a history essay can’t be stressed enough. Repeatedly reading the question will give you a clear idea of what your teacher expects in the essay.
Ask yourself the following questions:
- Does the question specify a statement and ask whether you agree with it?
- Does the question ask you to analyze the causes and consequences of a historical event?
- Does the question ask for your take on the actions of a historical figure?
Your answers to these questions will help you identify a suitable topic and contention for the essay.
Similarly, you need to carefully check the guidelines, and find out whether you need to follow any specific format. Also, check the word limit, due date, and any other guidelines your professor might have mentioned.
Create an Essay Writing Plan
Most students make the mistake of writing an essay without a concrete plan. Needless to say, if you venture into essay writing without proper planning, you’ll end up verifying resources and drafting thesis statements until the last minute.
Instead, identify individual steps involved in the writing process and outline a clear plan of action. You’ll have a clear idea of everything you need to do to put the essay together. Also, it’ll give you a glimpse of how much time you need to invest in each step.
Start Gathering Your Sources
Accurate and thorough research is crucial for writing an impressive essay. It’s all the more important when you’re working on a history essay. Start by identifying reliable and trustworthy sources for conducting your research.
Of course, your school/college library should be the go-to place for collecting references and evidence for your research. You should also ask your professors to recommend relevant books, essays, research papers, journals, and other sources.
Additionally, it’s a good idea to seek homework help on online learning forums. These platforms connect you with history tutors and specific subject experts who offer a fresh perspective to the essays and assignments in your curriculum. Students can also find assistance and tutoring for other homework topics on these websites.
Don’t Forget to Verify Your Sources
When you’re writing a history essay, it’s easy to get overwhelmed by the massive amount of information you’ll collect from various sources. Checking the authenticity and credibility of every piece of information is painstakingly difficult.
That’s why it is wiser to collect most of your information from primary sources. These include government records, newspaper articles, letters, etc. belonging to that particular period in history. Similarly, you can explore biographies and memoirs written by historical figures from that era. Also, you can check out artistic and literary works of that era for a better understanding of the culture.
If you’re looking at secondary sources, make sure they’re scholarly articles written by experienced and professional historians. Also, check the bibliography and footnotes to find out what references they’ve used. If the bibliography includes secondary sources and popular works of history, it’s wiser to steer clear of such materials.
Find Your Contention
Your essay shouldn’t be a reiteration of different historical events and incidents. Instead, it needs to reflect your personal take on how and why certain events unfolded during a specific time frame in history. That’s why it is important to define your thesis statement before you start penning your essay.
Writing a history essay doesn’t have to be boring, tedious, and time-consuming. You can make the process enriching and interesting by outlining a plan and investing adequate time in research. Be judicious about choosing your sources, and don’t forget to define your contention on the given topic.