The Essential Guide to Writing History Essays is a step-by-step guide to the typical assignments of any undergraduate or master's-level history program in North America. Effective writing is a process of discovery, achieved through the continual act of making choices--what to include or exclude, how to order elements, and which style to choose--each according to the author's goals and the intended audience. The book integrates reading and specialized vocabulary with writing and revision and addresses the evolving nature of digital media while teaching the terms and logic of traditional sources and the reasons for citation as well as the styles. This approach to writing not only helps students produce an effective final product and build from writing simple, short essays to completing a full research thesis, it also teaches students why and how an essay is effective, empowering them to approach new writing challenges with the freedom to find their own voice.
This has everything a student needs to write superb essays in college history classes, from introductory surveys to advanced seminars. I wish I had read a book like this in college. I plan to recommend it to my students and advisees.
A very helpful guide for history students full of valuable information. As a Master’s student, much of the information wasn’t new to me, but it was good being reminded of the important parts of writing history essays and it’s good having everything in one place, easy to look up. I’m sure for first-year students the book is immensely helpful, and I wish I had read the book in my first year of studying. But even as a Master‘s student especially the tips on revising are really interesting and I will definitely use this book as a reference while writing my next essays.