SECTION 2 – ESSAY-STYLE QUESTIONS
How to write a good historical essay
You have a choice of FOUR essay questions on each of three topics studied; you only answer ONE question on each topic, so: • Choose the question you feel you can answer most
competently.
• Check how many parts there are to the question.
• Highlight the keywords/elements.
• If dates are given, make sure to highlight them, if they are not, you should insert your own and remain within the date parameters.
• You will not have time to make an elaborate essay plan; instead jot down keywords that will trigger paragraphs to make up the body of your essay. • Remain focused and engage with the question
throughout your essay.
• Link your paragraphs and refer regularly to the
question.
• Try to write eight to ten paragraphs.
• Include quotes – these can gain you extra marks.
• Always incorporate the case study, key concepts and personalities relevant to the question into your answer
Introduction
• Your introduction should contextualise the question
by giving a small amount of background information. • If key concepts are used in the essay title, define them
in your introduction.
• Refer to keywords from the question to show you are
tackling the question asked.
• If you are asked to compare people/events, or to argue a case, always take a stance. Be confident of the case you are making, provide evidence to support your argument and always avoid making sweeping, unsubstantiated statements.
Main body
• Structure your essay well.
• Make one main point per paragraph – develop it, give evidence to support your point.
• Try to ensure a smooth flow from paragraph to paragraph by using linking words such as, however, nonetheless, therefore, in the meantime, despite, etc.
• Conclude by linking your points to the question asked.
Conclusion
• Your conclusion must refer back to the question asked, but don’t just repeat what you said in your introduction.
• Sum up your argument and give some hint of what happened next.
TIP
➤ To save time, it is OK, and indeed, wise, to use acronyms for commonly used words, e.g. Home Rule (HR), Conservatives (Cons), Irish Free State (IFS). Use longer version first and put shorter version in brackets to show that you intend to use the acronym.