Power Words for Historical Writing Two Basic Types of Essays on the AP Exam and the Global Regents: DBQ Essays Theme Essays These essays call upon

Power Words for Historical Writing

Two Basic Types of Essays on the AP Exam and the Global Regents: DBQ Essays Theme Essays

These essays call upon similar writing skills, but they require different approaches


Each essay must have a purpose Everything you write has a purpose Hence, if an essay is a journey, then you must

consider: What is your destination? What skills will you need to reach this destination? What tools will you need on this journey How will you, or others, measure your success?


A sense of purpose gives the reader a sense of participation; they are part of the process

For the author, having developed a sense of purpose means that the essay has been thought out prior to the pen hitting the paper, or the fingers scuttling across the keyboard.


Your approach is determined by the type of question that you are answering, or the specific thesis that you have developed.

The following are example of historical power words that serve a dual purpose: Familiarity with them gives you direction Recognizing their varied purposes is crucial to

historical investigation and scholarship.


All historical writing is, essentially, being able to identify a topic, and provide a piece that has a… Beginning Middle End

Simple, Yes?


If the writing process is just that, you must have differing skills to be able to take a reader through the process.

Here is a brutally simple example. Let us assume that you have created an

invention. It now is your job to “pitch” this invention to a

group of potential investors.


Let us further assume that the investors, though tantalized by your previous meetings with them, have been “kept in the dark” as to the specifics of the invention.

They have a general knowledge that this is a device of some kind that will make housework easier, but they know nothing else.


Your presentation goal is to Provide a description of the device Be able to identify and present the need that this device

addresses Give a demonstration of the device “in action” Summarize for the potential investors the positive facets

of the device, and the tremendous return that they will receive on their investment

Your ultimate goal is to get funding, and this is your “big shot.”


Here are four Historical Power Words: Assess Describe Each word asks you to Explain do something different. Show

Could you place them in the order you would utilize them in your presentation?


Would it help if I defined them for you? Assess – if you assess you step back, (often

times at the conclusion of some task or process), and make some kind of a judgment concerning:The importance of somethingThe value of somethingThe success of a particular actionWhat might have been done differently


Assessment examples: Report Cards Teacher evaluation forms End of the year meetings with an employer (like

a report card once you are in the real world) Checking the damage done after a flood or other

natural disaster


Describe: You tell about something

Physical descriptionWhat happened first, second and thirdHow something looksWhat parts or pieces does something have


Examples of description How a dog looked What a particular stereo looks like What are the pieces of a model car


Explain To make something understandable To give your reasons for doing something To make something plain for someone


Examples of Explanation How to make a paper airplane Telling your parents where you were the past

three hours Giving directions to a lost person


Show: To demonstrate To display To place information in an orderly fashion


Examples of “show”: Demonstrate to an adult how to use an I-Pod Display a tattoo to a friend Point out a scratch on a car to its owner


The four words again: Assess Describe Based on what they Explain “do”, what is the proper Show order?


Assess 1. Describe

Describe 2. Explain

Explain 3. Show

Show 4. Assess


The meeting begins with your description of the invention. After that, you will explain how the device works, and then show how it works. Having done that, your assessment of its effectiveness will, hopefully, “close the sale” with your potential investors.


Summary: The process you went through in your meeting is

analogous to the process of writing historical essays.

All writing is salesmanship. You have a product that you want to sell, and your effectiveness will be determined by the degree to which your audience “buys” what you are selling.


Here is a list of power words used in historical writing.

Master these words, and you will be able to organize and compose more effective essays.

They are also utilized in all exams and assignments you will encounter.


Defend or Refute Defend – argue for a particular position Refute– argue against a particular position

In both cases, it becomes the responsibility of the writer to formulate a statement based on factual evidence that can defends or refutes a widely debated historical issue.


Historical Example: “The French Revolution was ineffective and left

France in the control of a despot, Napoleon, who exhibited as much or more control over France as Louis XVI.”

You could refute or defend this statement It would require you to examine the reign of

Napoleon in relationship to Louis XVI’s


Analyze Examine the details of something Determine relationships Step back and make some judgments on

something Provide informed commentary *It comes only after you have a certain body of

evidence at your disposal


Historical Example “Analyze the ways in which the Vietnam conflict differed

from previous United States military actions.” You would have to look at the particulars of the Vietnam

conflict in relationship to other military actions, like WWII.

By focusing on certain “categories” common to both, you would be able to show difference, and then be able to provide informed commentary.

Your analysis will then be particular points you will make based on the examination of the evidence you presented.


Evaluate: You judge the importance or worth of something You probably would have discussed advantages

and disadvantages connected with some issue This is done after the orderly presentation of

information


Historical Example Evaluate the extent to which the rise of fascism

in the 1920’s and 1930’s was the result of the provisions of the Treaty of Versailles.

This question has a cause and effect component, and your success will be in demonstration how valid or how specious this statement is.


“To What Extent”; “In What Ways”: These are asking you how, or how much You are “measuring”. You will have to present evidence that will

measure the validityvalidity of a particular statement


Historical Example: “To what extent was the outbreak of WWI the

result of political as opposed to ethnic issues.” Here you will focus on the two sides, and by

presenting evidence, measure them against each other.

It is customary to eventually “take a side” after you have presented your evidence.


“Assess the validity” You are judgingjudging You are measuring the value or truth of a

particular statement or issue Ultimately, you will let the reader know how

valid (true) the statement is This can only be done by presenting evidence

beforehand.


Historical Example: “The Religious Wars that ravaged Europe in the

16th and 17th centuries were more a result of territorial ambitions and economic rivalries than they were the expression of one doctrine of faith over another.”

There is a clear proposition made, and your task will be to decide how truthful, how valid the statement is.


“Compare and/or Contrast”:

Show the differences

Same Topic/Issue

Show the similarities


Historical Example “Compare and contrast the political, economic and

social climate of Germany under Adolph Hitler and the Soviet Union under Joseph Stalin”

You will have to choose common focal/discussion points, and then show how these political systems were

similar and different. Normally, you will present a final determination stating

if they were more alike or more dissimilar.


Explain: You offer meaning and/or understanding for the

reader Identify the cause of something Give reasons and details for something Provide details as a means of explanation


Historical Example “Explain how the theories of Copernicus,

Kepler, Newton and Galileo impacted on the religious and intellectual trends of the 17th and 18th century.”

Two step process Identify the major facets of each thinkers theoriesDemonstrate the impact that they had


Discuss: Present and consider various points of view Examine Your point of view will come into play as you do

this This is done as/after you present evidence


Historical Example: “Discuss the various forms of socialism that emerged in

the early to mid 19th century” You are presenting information on a number of

ideologies You are not necessarily comparing and contrasting (but

you may) as much as you are looking at component parts, and strengths and weaknesses.


Describe: Tell about Offer an account of something Give a word picture Provide the component parts of something


Historical Example “Describe the lifestyle of a noble woman during

the reign of Elizabeth I. Focus on family life, political status, and economic conditions and issues facing them.”











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Power Words for Historical Writing Two Basic Types of Essays on the AP Exam and the Global Regents: DBQ Essays Theme Essays These essays call upon