Writing for History - Ryan Tanner-Read: History and Government Teacher

History Writing Skills: Writing for History
Use the information below to help you get a good start on writing for history. Remember that not every discipline is the same. Write for your audience! Click here for an in depth guide to writing for history at Derryfield.
Writing Papers for History
Some Brief Guidelines
Guidelines
Writing
Writing in history is different from other disciplines. Before we look at research and citation, let’s take a look at some basic guidelines for good writing in history (and really any other discipline).
Write for someone who is not in your class. Don't summarize everything you have learned, but a reasonably smart person who is not in your class should be able to follow your essay. In fact, having a person who isn't in your class read over your essay is a useful way of helping to revise it.
Be sure that each sentence names its subject.
Be sure that each sentence is clear about what the subject is doing (or saying, or feeling, etc).
If you have several points to make about the subject, split them up into separate sentences (many clauses separated by commas is always more confusing).
Be sure that each sentence adds something to the thesis of the essay (be concise—get rid of unnecessary information).
Avoid the passive voice (i.e. write “Thomas Jefferson wrote the Declaration of Independence” rather than “The Declaration of Independence was written by Thomas Jefferson” and write “Qin Shihuangdi seized control of ancient China through force” rather than “Control of ancient China was seized by Qin Shihuangdi through force”).
Use the past tense when writing about past historical events. Use the present tense only when writing about documents or objects (buildings, artwork, etc) that still exist.
Be sure that each paragraph is clear about the point it is making (if you need to, think of the paragraph as having its own introduction or conclusion—always tell the reader why this paragraph is important to your argument).
When you get to a new point, start a new paragraph.
Prepare your reader for the transition from one paragraph to another with a phrase or sentence linking the two paragraphs. (The link can be placed at the end of one paragraph or at the beginning of another).
Be sure that each paragraph is connected logically to the paragraphs around it.

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Ryan Tanner-Read

History and International Relations Teacher

History Writing Skills: Writing for History

Writing Papers for History

Some Brief Guidelines

Guidelines

Writing

Writing in history is different from other disciplines. Before we look at research and citation, let’s take a look at some basic guidelines for good writing in history (and really any other discipline).