Part One: The essay debate.
The slightest and most important part of writing a select history essay is to make out the question. Many students fail to spread their grade over they fail to grasp the problem and phraseology used. No matter how wrapped tight an essay is researched and written, if it does not answer the query, the student will get from a fortuneless grade.
History essay questions are presented in rife ways, and when a student is not focused on the terminology and the problem structure, the essay can stroll into an irrelevant narrative. Many questions time in at key to be simplistic reiterations of lectures or seminars, however, the questions that are set are often to examination the students proficiency to forward their enlightenment and not necessarily to regurgitate facts.
Here are some examples of history essay questions:
1. Why were well-qualified in consequence many revolutions in 1848?
This interrogation does not cross-examine how many revolutions took place; neither does it roast how they took place. What the question asks is what revolutions took place and how are they connected well-balanced. What were the common causes of the revolutions, not their independent, isolated variables, but how were they connected.
2. Do you consider that the policy of Tsar Nicholas I towards Turkey led inevitably to the Crimean War?
When considering this question, it is important to note that although the question identifies Tsar Nicholas Is policies as the subject for this essay, the involvement of other nations should also be included. The essay requires the student to describe the origins of the Crimean War and the part played by Tsar Nicholas Is policies and that of France and Great Britain. The paper should endeavour to explain the variables leading up to the war and discuss to what extent the policies of Tsar Nicholas I influenced the actual timing of the conflict. In history essays isolating a topic from external factors is dangerous unless requested in the question. The student must assess the cause and effect of numerous variables but focus on Russias foreign policy particularly towards Turkey.
3. Compare the nationalism of Mazzini with that of Cavour.
This question asks about nationalism, not individuals. The question should address Mazzinis and Cavours nationalist policies and ideologies. A description of nationalism in context to other nationalist movements in Europe during this period should be used to identify the common meaning of nationalism, and Mazzini and Cavour should be placed in a comparative role according to this definition. A common mistake by students would be to muddy their essay with a narrative of both the key figures identified in the question. Furthermore, describing Mazzini and Cavour in isolation, without considering Europe and Italy, would equally reduce the grade. The subject of this question is nationalism and how nationalism was perceived, acted upon and delivered by Mazzini and Cavour.
4. What were the consequences for Germany of the Zollverein?
This is a straightforward question which would require a student to describe the political and economic development of Germany between the years 1830 and 1870 and how the Zollverein influenced it. It would be up to the student to decide the extent of influence supported by relevant evidence.
5. How successful was Tsar Alexander II in solving the problems facing Russia during his reign?
When attempting this question, the student must discuss the difficulties facing Russia at the beginning and end of the reign of Tsar Alexander II. Political, economic and social factors must all be taken into account. The essay should progress on the discussion whether or not Tsar Alexander II left any long term solutions. It is a straightforward question; however, the student should not deviate from the question and remain focused on Tsar Alexander IIs influence.
6. Unfriendly and provocative. To what extent is this an accurate summary of Germanys policies towards the European Powers between 1890 and 1914?
With the debate on the origins of the First World War still being fought, many students fall into the trap of discussing war guilt and the events leading up to the First World War. However, this is not what the question asks. This question asks whether Germanys policies were perceived as unfriendly and provocative. For this paper, Germanys policies should be examined in context to how they would be perceived by the European Powers during that period. Furthermore, this question offers the opportunity to discuss the interpretation of the policies by individual countries. For example, did Great Britain feel provoked by Germanys policies more than France did? It must not be forgotten that there are two words: unfriendly and provocative. The paper could include a discussion on the powers experiencing the policies as unfriendly rather than provocative.
In Part Two, I will discuss how to plan and compose a history essay.
