Year 8 History Essay Assessment Task 2016 – Essay Writing Guidelines
1. WHAT IS AN ESSAY?
An essay is a formal piece of writing that aims to present a well thought out response to a set question. An
essay contains a series of points that together build the writer’s overall view or ‘argument’ about the set topic. A
successful essay introduces and explains each point made, analyses and evaluates known facts related to the
point, and presents evidence to support it.
The essay writer should take the role of an expert writing to an audience who have some knowledge and
interest on the set topic.
The structure of an essay
Introduction – this paragraph focuses the reader’s attention on the topic to be discussed, states the writer’s
main argument and briefly previews the main points that will be made to develop the argument.
Body — a series of paragraphs that discuss, develop and provide evidence to support the points that build the
writer’s argument on the set topic.
Conclusion — this final paragraph draws all the points made together to briefly sum up and reinforce the main
argument.
2. PLANNING
Before writing an essay you should make a plan of the argument you want to construct as your response to the
set essay question or topic. Break your argument into paragraph size chunks, so that each paragraph presents
and explores one main point that is a part of your overall argument. See the essay scaffold below and take this
link for more information.
3. HOW TO WRITE A PARAGRAPH
Paragraphs are the essential building blocks of an essay. A successful essay consists of an introduction
followed by a number of paragraphs that together build the writer’s argument (educated point of view) on the
set topic. This argument is then rounded off with a conclusion.
The structure of a paragraph
A paragraph is a series of sentences that present and develop one of the main points in the essay. This can be
done by following the PEEL technique outlined below.
P
Point
A topic sentence that introduces the point that will be developed in the paragraph. You
should try to connect with the linking sentence of the previous paragraph.
E
Explanation
1-3 sentences that explain the point in more detail. These sentences clarify and expand on
all parts of the topic sentence.
E
Evidence
A number of sentences that use evidence and examples to support the point that is being
made. In a history essay the writer often refers to primary and secondary sources of historical
information as evidence.
L
Link
A sentence or two that link the point made in this paragraph to the central argument of the
essay. The last sentence should lead on to the point in the next paragraph, so your essay
flows smoothly as you build your argument.
Note that in any paragraph of the body, you may wish to explain and provide evidence more than once. In this
way, your sequence could be P EE EE EE L rather than just P E E L.
The language of a paragraph
The language you use in an essay should be formal, and not the informal language you would use in a
conversation with friends.
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Do not use slang e.g. ‘it was a hassle’.
Do not use over-used phrases (clichés) e.g. ‘it threw a spanner in the works’.
Do not use abbreviated words e.g. don’t, wouldn’t.
You should use correct history terminology for a history essay e.g. ‘the development of civilization in
ancient Egypt…’).
Always write in the 3rd person, so do not use the words ‘I’ or ‘you’.
Link your ideas and points together by using some of these words:
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Show how one thing caused another with words such as if, then, because.
Show how events are in sequence with words such as firstly, finally.
Indicate additional points with words such as also, as well as, furthermore, besides.
Show contrast with words such as however, nevertheless, on the other hand.
Draw conclusions with words such as therefore, consequently, accordingly.
Indicate your viewpoint with words such as in spite of, with regard to, in view of.
Example of a PARAGRAPH in a History Essay
Question: Why was the flooding of the Nile essential to the development of civilisation in Egypt?
The flooding of the Nile was essential to the development of civilisation in Egypt for
three main reasons. Firstly, the inundation of the Nile brought with it the black soil
necessary for growing crops. This provided the natural fertilizer for the soil, allowing
crops to grow in abundance and provide sufficient food for a large population.
Additionally, the inundation served as a form of calendar that marked the start of the
year. The everyday lives of the Egyptians were based around the seasons. When the
Nile flooded, the Egyptians built the pyramids or took a break from their usual job.
When the water receded, they re-established their crops. Then, during the periods of
very low rainfall, when the Nile was at its lowest point, the Egyptians harvested and
stored their crops and held festivals. Finally, the Nile provided a system of
transportation for communication. This was important for the unity of a country that
was spread along a narrow strip of land lining the river. Thus, the Nile River and its
annual flood was a key component necessary for civilisation to develop in Egypt.
Point (topic sentence) – clear
central argument expressed.
Evidence directly linked to the
explanation.
Linking word to
move to new explanation.
Sequencing word to begin final
part of the main point
Link back to the point of the
paragraph.
4. ESSAY SCAFFOLD – the number of sentences per paragraph will vary according to the amount of
explanation needed to establish the point and provide evidence for it.
Introduction (1 paragraph)
Point 1 (1 paragraph)
Sentence 1
Sentence 2
Sentence 3
Sentence 4
Sentence 5
Point 4 (1 paragraph)
Sentence 1
Sentence 2
Sentence 3
Sentence 4
Sentence 5
Point 2 (1 paragraph)
Sentence 1
Sentence 2
Sentence 3
Sentence 4
Sentence 5
Point 5 (1 paragraph)
Sentence 1
Sentence 2
Sentence 3
Sentence 4
Sentence 5
Point 3 (1 paragraph)
Sentence 1
Sentence 2
Sentence 3
Sentence 4
Sentence 5
Point 6 (1 paragraph)
Sentence 1
Sentence 2
Sentence 3
Sentence 4
Sentence 5
Conclusion (1 paragraph)