What Makes a Professional History Essay? Insights from Our Expert Writers

Being able to recount historical facts is not sufficient in drafting a history essay. The most critical aspect is to craft a compelling argument based on rigorous evidence and presented with academic precision. Professors are not predominantly keen students listing historical dates and figures in essays. Mastering how to write a history essay is about demonstrating deep understanding of appropriate methodologies, thinking analytically, and conveying a coherent message.

Our history essay writers at ScholarlyWritings.com regularly navigate complex historical narratives and sift through various sources to construct arguments that reflect a genuine scholarly approach and earn top grades. In this article, they offer collective wisdom into elements that elevate an essay from an ‘average’ piece of writing to an unequivocally ‘professional’ history essay.

1. A powerful thesis statement

Any professional history essay should have a nuanced and debatable thesis statement. An essay is not a mere statement of fact or summary of an event. Instead, it is an argument taking a specific position. The thesis statement should state the position, interpret it, and implicitly convey the argument that the entire essay will develop.

Some students do not understand what a thesis statement entails. Our writers observe that many students often mistake a topic for a thesis. “Causes of the Napoleonic Wars” is a topic. An example of a thesis statement would be: “The Napoleonic Wars emerged from the clash between revolutionary France’s ideological ambition and Europe’s conservative monarchies, as Napoleon used military expansion to consolidate power and export revolutionary principles.” The statement does not just describe. Instead, it is specific, argumentative, and sets the stage for analysis based on ideology and power.

The thesis statement should be nuanced. The statement should shy away from simplistic binary arguments. The complexity should be clear through counter-arguments in the body and statements qualifying the main claim. These nuances reveal that the students understand the historical causation deeply.

2. Meticulous research and source engagement

A professional history essay should be based on extensive and appropriate research. Basic textbooks and online websites should be avoided. Instead, emphasis should be on primary sources and secondary scholarly literature. The engagement with these sources should demonstrate a critical understanding of their content. The main considerations in this are:

1. Diversity of sources. A professional history essay should blend primary and secondary sources. Some of the primary sources include government documents, artifacts, letters, and eyewitness accounts. Monographs, peer-reviewed articles, and reputable historical analyses are among secondary sources applicable.
2. Source evaluation: The essay should evaluate the sources critically. This requires considering the author’s perspectives, the historical context in which a source was create, and potential biases. These are necessary to assess its reliability and potential limitations to consider in using a source.
3. Direct engagement: There should be a seamless integration of the source material into the argument. Just dropping quotes will not cut it. Instead, the writer should analyze the evidence and explain its relevance to the thesis.

Our writers noted the tendency among students to present evidence without evaluating it or explaining its significance. A professional essay should both indicate what the source says and why it matters in advancing the argument. The essay should also reveal how the source connects to the broader historical context. It should not be just about retrieval. It should also include synthesis and analysis.

3. Sophisticated historical analysis

The main difference between an amateur and professional history essay often boils down to the analysis. Most amateur essays mainly describe while the later analyze reasons, intersection of different factors, and the long-term significance of historical event of figure. The analysis should reveal the following:

1. Causation: The essay should cover multiple and often interwoven reasons behind historical events ranging from short-term, immediate, and long-term causes.
2. Consequence: The analysis should examine different legacies and impacts of events and actions.
3. Contextualization: The essay should place events or figures within broader historical, political, social, and cultural frameworks.
4. Comparison and contrast: The analysis should draw meaningful parallels or distinctions between various historical periods, events, and figures.
5. Interpretation: The student should engage with existing historiographical perspectives to generate original insights. It should not merely summarize conventional views.

Our writers recommend that one should approach essays as a detective required to analyze clues, develop a theory, and rely on evidence and logical deduction to build a case. Historical analysis is about building a compelling case for your interpretation.

4. Logical argumentation and coherent structure

Having a clear and logical structure is vital to enabling the history essay convey insights. The flow of the argument should precisely guide the readers. The key structural components of a professional history essay include:

1. Introduction: This first section should have a hook, background, and end with a clear thesis statement.
2. Body paragraphs: Every paragraph should start with a topic sentence relating back to the thesis statement. Evidence and thorough analysis should follow. Each body paragraph should follow either “TEEL” (Topic Sentence, Evidence, Explanation, Link) or “PEEL” (Point, Evidence, Explanation, Link) structure.
3. Transitions: Paragraphs should have smooth transitions to maintain the logical flow of ideas.
4. Conclusion: This section should reinstate the thesis statement in new words and provide a summary of the main arguments. The writer should also provide final thoughts on the broader implications or significance of the argument made without introducing new information in the paper.

5. Academic tone and developed writing mechanics

History essay writing should uphold the highest academic writing standards in language, citation, and formatting. These should be evident in:

1. Formal tone: The writing should be free from slang, contractions, first-person pronounce, and casual language. Objectivity and academic distance should prevail in the essay.
2. Clarity and conciseness: The writer should ensure every word in the essay serves a purpose. Simple language is preferable and precision in presenting historical terminology is essential.
3. Correct citation style:
4. Flawless grammar and spelling: The writer should avoid errors because they detract readers and erode the credibility and professionalism of the essay.

Our history essay writers acknowledge the essence of presentation. Grammatical errors or inappropriate citations water down any essay regardless of bow brilliant its argument is. Attention to these details is vital to professional scholarship and signals care.

Conclusion: Lessons from our expert writers

Writing a professional history essay demands diligent research, critical thinking, and careful articulation and presentation. Applying these insights consistently in crafting history essays takes practice.

If struggling with a complex history assignment, struggling to formulate a thesis statement, or seeking someone to polish your paper, our history essay writers are ready to assist you. ScholarlyWritings.com has seasoned professional writers ready to craft a custom scholarly piece embodying these principles of professionalism. Do not hesitate to seek their expert help whenever you need it.