How To Write a History Paper
So, what is a history paper? A history paper is a research paper that deals with historical events and/or figures. It can be about anything from the American Revolution to the fall of the Roman Empire.
There are two main types of history papers: analytical papers and argumentative papers. Analytical papers focus on explaining historical events or figures, while argumentative papers present a thesis statement (an argument) and argue for it using evidence from primary and secondary sources.
Now that you know what a history paper is let’s take a look at how to write one.
The first step is to come up with a topic. Choose something that interests you and that you can research adequately. Once you’ve chosen a topic, do some preliminary research to get a sense of what the debate surrounding it is. This will help you formulate your own argumentative thesis statement.
Once you have your thesis statement, it’s time to start gathering evidence. Make sure to use both primary and secondary sources in your paper. Primary sources are original documents or artifacts from the time period you’re studying, while secondary sources are scholarly books and articles written about the time period by historians.
Once you have all of your evidence, it’s time to start writing. Start by outlining your paper. The outline should include your thesis statement, the evidence you’ll be using to support it, and a brief summary of each paragraph.
To write the thesis statement, you need to state a debatable point.
For example:
Thesis statement: The American Revolution was a turning point in history.
Argument: The thesis statement is arguable because many people believe that the French Revolution was more important.
Evidence: Primary sources such as letters, speeches, and newspaper articles from the time period support the argument. Secondary sources such as scholarly books and articles also support the argument.
Summary of the first paragraph: The first paragraph will introduce the topic and provide some background information on it.
Summary of the second paragraph: The second paragraph will discuss one of the arguments against the thesis statement and refute it using evidence from primary and secondary sources.
Summary of the third paragraph: The third paragraph will discuss one of the arguments for the thesis statement and refute it using evidence from primary and secondary sources.
And so on.
Once your outline is finished, it’s time to start writing the paper. Begin with the introduction. The introduction should include a brief overview of the topic, introduce your thesis statement, and provide some background information on the argument you’ll be discussing in the paper.
The body of the paper should be divided into paragraphs that correspond to each point you’re making. Each paragraph should include a summary of the evidence you’re using to support your argument, as well as a refutation of any opposing arguments.
The conclusion should summarize your main points and argue for your thesis statement. It should also remind the reader of the evidence you presented in the body of the paper.
Be sure to cite your sources correctly using MLA or APA style.
If you still need help in writing your history paper, there are plenty of writings services that can help you. My recommendation is 123 Essay. They have a team of professional writers who can help you with anything from choosing a topic to editing your paper.
So, that’s how to write a history paper! Following these steps will help you produce a high-quality paper that will convince your professor that you know what you’re talking about. Good luck!