History essays are among the most elaborate papers assigned today. These works embody events and pioneering actions of people over the years and detail these occurrences down to the dates and places they happened.
But how detailed a history essay should get is open to interpretation. Because the quality of an article is in the reader’s eye, there is presently no consensus on the number of details to include in an essay. However, everyone agrees that the quality must be undeniably high. So to write a top-quality and detailed history essay, you should implement the following tips:
While your entire essay should keep your audience hooked, the introduction must focus on being captivating without losing relevance. History papers tend to be lengthy and your audience knows this. So most times, your examiner will gauge your essay based on your first paragraph and in some cases — your first sentence.
No matter the type of history paper you are writing, this rule should stand. Use good intro backgrounds to impress your audience and prove that your essay is worth reading. Write catchy sentences while showing that you understand the prompt. Define key terms, set the time frame of the occurrences in the paper, break the paper into digestible bits, and then develop an argument. Readers want a story that starts with an earthquake and works up to a climax — so give them that.
A history essay will only be as detailed as the sources of information on which it is based, so put in extra work to find reliable sources. You can cite primary or secondary sources, or both. However, examiners often prefer primary sources because of their historical accuracy.
If you know that the depth of your history essay is linked to your sources, you should make a research plan to guide you when looking for information for your history essay. Use the Google Scholar tool to look through online journals and bibliographies. You should also visit the school library or meet your teacher for further directives. And though word-of-mouth ideas and public presentations can be helpful, take people’s opinions with a pinch of salt and cross-reference their claims against proven facts.
To make your history essay detailed, you must answer the question that the essay begs. The examiner will read your essay to find answers, and no matter how deftly you weave words, they will leave disappointed if you don’t give them what they came for. So start by reviewing each word in the essay to understand what your readers expect from you.
For example, to write about a significant event in America’s history, such as President Obama’s election to office, you must outline the steps involved in his rise to leadership, events that influenced it, the powers that came with him to the office and the timeline of all these events. This approach is far more relevant to your essay than sharing facts about his early childhood and years in college. Understanding your essay question and writing relevant details to answer it will add more depth to your paper than stuffing it with barely relevant details.
Your essay can make or mar your chances of getting a good score. So the outline is essential for tying your paper together in a logical, sequential form. Even if you know who the major players in your essay are and why the events occurred, you need your reader to follow you on your journey, which is why you need an outline.
A proper history essay outline will help you follow the essay structure smoothly, therefore allowing you to build coherent arguments and mention point-by-point facts. You need to learn how to list things in an essay as this skill will be helpful in your outline. So consider the background of your study, define the terms, and mention your ideas before delving into the main argument and rounding off with an appropriate conclusion.
Writing a history essay is not as difficult as you may think, as long as you know what tutors expect to see when reading your essay. A detailed essay will win you more points, which is why you must learn to apply the ideas in this article. Always lead and finish with your best foot, verify all claims in your paper, stay true to the essay question and properly outline your essay, as these steps will help you craft a paper that will impress your readers.
Amanda Dudley holds a Ph.D. in History obtained from Stanford University in 2001. She didn’t rest on her laurels and decided to continue working as an educator at the university after graduating. Seeing the need for an essay writing service to help students write better college essays, Amanda started to assist students with their schoolwork, which she does exceptionally.