IB HISTORY ESSAY INSTRUCTIONS
(A) Begin with an introduction to the research question!
* "The aim of the essay is to investigate..."
* What is your focus/ argument in this essay?
* "It is important to study this (these) question(s) because..."
* Keep the question and its demands (f.ex. a command term, timelines/-limit) in your mind while planning and writing your essay
(B) Make analysis!
* Argumentative writing style
* Use concepts/terms
* Introduce evidence and discuss about this evidence
* Give different points of views; make interpretations
* "On the other hand,...", "However,...", "Moreover,..."
* Use linkages esp. because of the command term compare and contrast:
- when comparisons/similarities like this: "Both in USA and in China...", "In China...; similarly in the USA..."
- when contrasts/differences like this: "For the Chinese system it was typical...However/Whereas/But in the USA...")
* Use key concepts of History: change - continuation - causation - consequence - significance - perspectives
(C) Introduce the conclusion(s) of your analysis!
* "As a conclusion..."
* Answer the question(s)
* Put things in the wider context; introduce the effects in the long run (vs short run)
- Opettaja
Jukka Alanko