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Analytical History Essay: Writing tips
An analytical history essay is a report of the findings from examining evidence relating to past events. The historical analysis is mainly applied to evidence in documents, although it can also be used to all artifacts. The historian is, first, seeking to gain some certainty as to the facts of the past.
In this piece, we share our experience, spell out a step by step model for writing an analytical history essay, and highlight useful observations writing such a paper. So, are you ready to write an analytical history essay?
What Is Historical Writing?
The purpose of an analytical history paper is to provide an argument that proves a specific thesis. So, like any scholarly writing, the essay has a systematic development of an idea, and eventually, a conclusion.
The argument should validate a historical prevalence using facts, examples, and recorded discoveries to prove its primary claim. It suffices to say the success of an analytical history paper rests on the author’s ability to present information clearly and concisely so that the reader may easily follow the analysis.
How to Write a Thesis for Analytical History Essay
The thesis statement is the sentence that states the main idea of writing the essay. It helps control the ideas within the paper. It should be interpretive, providing the reader with insight into the topic rather than offering a mere description or restatement of information.
Writing a thesis for a historical analysis paper involves;
- Research on the topic. The topic should be something you know. It isn’t easy to write a thesis on a topic that you don’t know anything about. Carry out your research on the subject before writing the thesis. From the study, deduce the main idea that you want your readers to capture to lure them into reading the essay.
- Limit your topic. Limiting your case to a specific area allows your thesis to be clear and precise. As such, you can easily make the audience understand your intent.
- Brainstorm. If you are having trouble writing your thesis, take a piece of paper and write down everything that comes to mind about your topic. Separate what you jotted down into categories and try to figure out the themes. Use ideas generated during this process to shape your thesis.
- Write the thesis. When all has been done, write down your thesis in the most straightforward possible language. The aim is to make your readers understand your topic.
How to be Analytical in History Essays
Being analytical involves looking into evidence on a past occurrence. To be analytical in a historical essay, take note of the following items:
- Research the main topic. Find supporting evidence for your points. Make your text believable by backing up your claims with gathered evidence.
- Be neutral in your discussion. Avoid making your argument lean to a particular side. Your role here is to provide a view and let the reader make their judgment.
- Use figures, images, excerpts, and citing from written materials to defend your points. The analysis involves looking into a particular concept. These elements could help you to present the information obtained clearly to the audience. They are pointers to the research you carried out.
- Organize your points in order of priority. While writing the essay, group your arguments into paragraphs. Begin with those that bear more weight and end with those with the least. Explain each point. Use a simple language.
How Long Should a History Analytical Essay Be?
In most cases, a historical analysis essay consists of 5 paragraphs. For more information and examples, you should review our guide on how to write a 5 paragraph essay. They include the introduction, three body paragraphs, and the conclusion. However, you are not limited to 3 body paragraphs. Each section represents one point. You can therefore add them per the number of points you wish to discuss.
Analytical History Essay Topics that you can write about
Listed are examples of analytical history essay topics:
- Why was America called “The land of an opportunist?”
- Was Slavery the only cause of civil wars?
- Communism ideology and its failure in Russia
- Why did the Soviet Union break up?
- Causes of the Cold War between countries
- How Africa got its Name
- Impact of trade along the East African coastline
Tips in writing a history analysis essay fast
- Choose a topic you understand well.
- Carry out thorough research before you begin writing.
- Create an outline.
- Gather all your evidence ready before you begin writing.
- Follow a standard structure.
- Make a draft first to give room for mistakes.
In a nutshell, writing is a craft, and all the serious part of it is done through draft, hesitations, revisions, and seeking inspirations. In academic analytical history writing, though, there are two essential elements – a thesis and evidence. Our hope is writing an analytical history paper is much more comfortable and enjoyable now that you have read this guide. But if you are still stuck, reach out to our pro writers to help you out.
