Mark Jaede’s guide to writing analytical essays in history
November 16, 2000
Sample Writing Assignment
Consider the events in US history between approximately 1865 and 1900. What would you describe as the most important force – the "driving engine," if you will – of the era? That is, what event, trend or area of history did the most to cause and shape developments in other areas of history in this period? Would it be industrialization? Immigration? Race relations? Class formation? Religion? Urbanization? Imperialism? Something else? Explain your answer and support it with specific examples of how the area of history that you chose shaped other aspects of history.
The question above is representative of the questions I typically ask on exams, so if you master this exercise you will be well on your way to writing good essays for my classes. (One hopes you may even find this skill applicable elsewhere.)
Here is a suggested method for approaching this question.
First, think about the question and what it asks of you. Do you understand it? Do you understand what kind of an answer would be appropriate? If not, ask for clarification.
Second, think about potential answers. The object is to begin formulating and testing potential theses. A thesis is the central point of your essay – the point you will try to prove. A thesis statement articulates that thesis, usually in one to three sentences. When you actually begin writing, you will need to express your thesis in complete grammatical sentences, but brief phrases are fine for now. (Hint: this is a brainstorming phase, when you should feel free to explore all ideas. Many people find it helpful to share ideas with a friend at this point.)
Sample test thesis: Religion was the driving force of the era.
Third, consider what facts would support your thesis. Consult your textbooks and lecture notes (and other sources, if you wish). Consider also those facts that might tend to weaken your thesis. Make lists of each, carefully noting your source for each fact.
Example of a relevant fact: Most "new" immigrants were Catholic, Orthodox, or Jewish, whereas most native-born Americans were Protestant.
Fourth, consider how you can build an argument that shows how the relevant facts demonstrate the truth of your thesis statement. Contrary to the old saw, the facts never "speak for themselves." You need to explain how they relate to your thesis.
Brief example of an argument: The religious differences between immigrants and native-born Americans contributed not only to conflicts over immigration itself, but also to worker-management conflicts and even conflicts among different sectors of the working class. Therefore, religion was the driving force of the era.
Fifth, go back, review steps two through four, and consider how strong your case is. Are your facts truly relevant? Are your arguments reasonable and consistent? Have you persuaded yourself? Do you need more examples? Are there some examples that do not match your thesis? You may need to alter or refine your thesis to accommodate the facts, or you may need to strengthen your arguments to show how apparently contradictory facts do not really disprove your thesis. Maybe you need to scrap your thesis entirely and start over. It is perfectly ordinary to consider and discard several theses before committing yourself to one. In most cases, you will find that no simple thesis perfectly matches all of the relevant facts. You will probably need to qualify your thesis or explain why the supporting evidence outweighs the contradictory evidence.
Example: Religious differences may have been important in the cases cited, but is that enough to call religion the driving force of the entire era? Can we be sure that religion itself was the most important cause of the conflicts cited? Were economic and class differences more important? Could differences of national origin, language or other aspects of culture have been more important than religion? This thesis needs considerable support if it is going to survive.
Sixth, when you are satisfied with your thesis and supporting evidence and arguments, write the essay. Generally, your first paragraph should include your thesis statement and each succeeding paragraph should present one significant point of your argument. Close with a final paragraph that reinforces your thesis and ties things together.
Seventh, proofread your essay. You should of course be looking for errors of spelling and grammar, but you are also looking for structural problems. Does your essay begin with a clear thesis statement? Does your thesis answer the question as asked? Have you supported your thesis adequately? Have you included any irrelevant information? Have you contradicted yourself on any points? (Hint: if this is a take-home essay, this is a good time to show your work to someone else for comments.)
Eighth, revise. If this is an in-class essay, make corrections. If it is a take-home project, prepare another draft. Then repeat steps seven and eight.
A few more hints
In your thesis statements, do not use wooden phrases such as "this essay will prove…" or "I will show that…" Just make your point.
Avoid grandiloquent phrases such as "history teaches us…" or "throughout the ages…." Such phrases sound pompous even when written by those who fancy themselves Great Scholars. Again, just get to your point.
Avoid passive voice.
Do not quote from secondary sources without truly compelling reasons. Quotations from primary sources may be helpful, but quote sparingly in any case. Always provide citations for quotations and paraphrases.
Do use spell checkers and grammar checkers, but do not rely on them exclusively. The perfect editing machine does not yet exist. Invest in a dictionary and a style manual.