Writing an Argumentative Essay (a.k.a. Historical Essay)
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- Brainstorming and outlining prior to writing makes the writing process much easier
- An essay must have a thesis, and the rest of the essay is an extended argument in support of that thesis. Your thesis should be stated in the introduction.
- An "argument" is different from an "opinion." An argument uses evidence (facts, books, articles and/or primary sources), whereas an opinion is a personal response based on one's own logic, instincts and experiences. It's fine to start with opinions, but you can them into historical arguments by reviewing and weighing the available evidence, including evidence that may contradict your initial opinions.
- Arrange your arguments in a logical order, and base them on facts
- Write about the past in the past tense
- Avoid lengthy quotations
- Avoid the first person (such as "I think") unless the essay prompt calls for it.
- Anticipate counter-arguments and address them
- Analyze: "Analysis" means to break something into component parts, and then determine the nature and relationship of these parts. In history, this means explaining "how" and "why" something happened, like "cause and effect."
- Assess/Evaluate: Judge the value of character of something; discuss the advantages and disadvantages of an argument, how true or false it is.
- Compare/contrast: Note similarities and differences for the purposes of making an argument.
- Describe: Give an account of; tell about; give a word picture of.
- Discuss: Talk over; consider or examine by argument or from various points of view; debate.
- To What Extent and In What Ways: How much? In what ways did an event or condition relate to another? Anticipate counterarguments.