Basic Steps of Essay Writing for History
- Choose the central idea, or thesis, of your essay.
Q example: Both the Allies and the Germans were responsible for war crimes. Discuss.
- Outline your essay into introductory, body and summary paragraphs.
- The introductory paragraph begins with an interesting and punchy sentence.
For example: Since time immemorial, atrocities have been committed by all parties to conflict.
- After this first sentence, add your thesis statement [that is, the argument you intend to make.]
For example: Nothing can compare with the scale and justifications of the atrocities committed by the Nazi war machine. Nevertheless, the Allies were not innocent in their strategies in pursuit of victory.[unique_solution]
- Finish the introductory paragraph with a short summary or goal statement.
For example: While destruction of the Nazi war machine and its underlying ideology were essential for the reconstruction of a civilised Europe, the Allies lost their moral compass.
- Use one sentence to introduce every body paragraph to follow.
For example: Unlike all previous wars, aerial warfare was one of the decisive factors in gaining supremacy during World War II.
- In each of the body paragraphs (usually at least five pars), the ideas first presented in the introductory paragraph are developed.
- Develop your body paragraphs by giving detailed information as evidence.
For example: In the dying days of WWII, when the defeat of Germany was inevitable, the Allies launched an air attack against the civilian population of central Dresden, unleashing nearly 4000 high explosive bombs combined with incendiary devices. The incendiaries were intended to create a fire-storm, which in turn was intended to create a river of refugees. As a result, the Allies correctly anticipated the fleeing refugees would flood the roads, blocking effective troop movements.
- Body paragraphs should develop the central idea and finish with a summary of that idea. There should be at least two examples or facts in each body paragraph to support the central idea.
- Be aware of and address conflicting evidence.
- The concluding paragraph summarizes your essay and is often a reverse of the introductory paragraph.