Essay Writing

An introduction to essay writing in History

Initial Stages• R.T.Q- read the question!• Identify the key command terms- Analyse ,

compare and contrast, to what extent, how and why- are you being asked to do one thing or two. Are you being asked to make a judgment

• Identify any key words / phrases that may need defining- e.g. ideology

• If necessary re- write the question into your own words to show you know what it is asking you to do.

• “Every essay provides a specific task for the candidate”

Major types of question

• Analyse• Response to a quote ‘Mussolini’s rise to

power was dependent on post WW1 economic conditions’

• How far do you agree that (to what extent)• Compare and contrast• How and why (‘Jack and Jill’)

Why and how did Fascism shift to the right politically after 1919?

• Why / How- motivation for the move / methodology- stages by which it took place

• Key term to explain- ‘shift to the right’

• Dates- 1919- really only up to 1921

• This essay intends to argue that• This essay will consider