A Short Guide to Writing about History

by Richard Marius

This short guide introduces students to historical research and discovery while teaching them how to write cogent history papers. Focusing on more than just the conventions of good writing, this supplement shows students first how to think about history, and then how to organize their thoughts into coherent essays. This book teaches students how to use and evaluate primary and secondary sources, and shows them how to work their own thoughts into their writing to make their papers more than mere reports. This second edition is streamlined for greater ease of use, and contains an expanded range of examples of social and women's history to help make the text more inclusive.

Genres: History, Writing, Nonfiction, Reference, Textbooks, College, Education

205 pages, Paperback

First published August 1, 1989

About the author

Richard Curry Marius was an American academic and writer.

He was a scholar of the Reformation, novelist of the American South, speechwriter, and teacher of writing and English literature at Harvard University. He was widely published, leaving behind major biographies of Thomas More and Martin Luther, four novels set in his native Tennessee, several books on writing, and a host of scholarly articles for academic journals and mainstream book reviews.

Marius was known as a raconteur and political activist.

Reviews

[Dan · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is probably most useful for those least likely to read it, that is history undergrads. For graduate students there are a few useful nuggets in here, but nothing so unique to justify running out and buying it.

[Mills College Library]

907.2 M343s 2015

[Adam Gutschenritter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great reread (college was the last time) as I get ready to teach my students historical writing. It rewords things I had forgot I do and gives different word explanations then ones I normally give. Great read for those interested in the topic.

[Belle Meade School]

907.2

[D]

school

[Argene Clasara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good introduction for historical writing.

[Billie Pritchett · Rating 3 out of 5]

Richard Marius' A Short Guide to Writing about History is a pretty good, practical guide to--as the name says--writing about history. What is most memorable for me from the book is that a good essay on history has to deal with some problem. If you don't have a problem, you don't have a paper. Another good point from the book is that it is best to address a problem that interests you or that you are curious about. If you are not driven to solve a problem out of your own curiosity, then you may feel less intrigued by the problem you are dealing with, or what you are writing about. Other advice includes the use of primary sources, how secondary sources can provide for details along the way to supplement your main argument and also for interpretation, and many other issues besides. It's a handy reference.

[Mark Jacobsen · Rating 3 out of 5]

This guide to writing history is intended for younger students who are new to historical research. The tone seems directed towards undergraduates, but much of the advice is relevant to students of any age and experience level. For a student who is new to research, all sections of the book will be helpful. Students with more experience will skim through a lot of common sense but are still likely to find helpful sections. I found the "basic principles of historical essays" to be helpful for clarifying a topic that can seem needlessly confusing. I also appreciated the introduction to various catalogs and research tools with which I wasn't previously acquainted.

[Nate Huston · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good reference. It's about what it says it's about. The second chapter contains some good thoughts regarding the reading and understanding of history that are applicable to more than just the historical writer. Understanding history is a more complex process than simply reading a story and memorizing facts. This book aims to condition the researcher and writer to be a better and more active historian.

[Brent · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book actually really helped me throughout the last couple years of my undergraduate coursework, as it gave me vital information to allow me to strengthen my class papers, and write detailed, focused, and descriptive theses. Not a bad idea for someone pursuing a BA in history to pick this one up.
Brent McCulley (10/24/13)

[Michael Tildsley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good advice and a quick read. The book is targeted more toward college students thinking about history writing, but I found a good bit of information for my own purposes. I intend to email the writer, as he suggests in his book, and talking to him more about a few issues.

[Karl · Rating 3 out of 5]

a required book for class, wahoo!! It is helpfull at times, no not really they just made me pay $25 for it.

[Jessie · Rating 2 out of 5]

I had to read this book for my masters and it laid out the process of writing a historical research paper clearly and simply which I appreciated.

[David Withun · Rating 4 out of 5]

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[Meric S. · Rating 4 out of 5]

A practical introductory guide mainly for history students, but most of the advice is valuable for anyone interested in improving their academic writing skills.

[Anna · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a student of Dr. Page, I find this guide to be very helpful. I read it in both undergraduate and graduate courses. It helped me to learn how to write about history.

[Deborah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Most of the book is stuff you should have learned in high school. What a sad reflection on our educational system that colleges must teach this to undergrads

[Jills_Bookshelf · Rating 4 out of 5]

A clear and useful guide, it is about what it says it is about.