Writing a successful research paper in history is not something that you can do in a few minutes. It requires careful consideration of a few research writing steps, visiting libraries, professional approach. Such a paper should capture past events well. It is hard to find straightforward history research paper topics.
All you need to do in a history essay is to establish the argument that will set your flow of the writing process. Developing a great essay is easy. All you need is the right guidance and a comprehensive outline. If you do not have the time, don’t know how to write a great history research paper, seek writing help from our service.
The best research in history relies on successful analysis of events and depends on how well you master content you are writing. Here are some reliable tips on how to write a history research paper that captures events of the past well.
Come up with an arguable topic
An appropriate topic forms a major part of research. Brainstorm for a topic by focusing on a general area in history that interests you, narrow the focus area to a specific element in history, e.g., biography, causes of certain events, politics, battles, etc.
Your next concern should be formulating a research question. Imagine you are developing topics for American history research paper; you can choose to write about World War II. Your question can be ‘what were the impacts of the World War II on America’s economy?’
Have a great introduction
Introduction of your subject should hook up the reader. Do not include vapid and pretentious beginnings; such introductions are likely to make your history research paper boring. Using the question above, you can introduce your essay, “America’s economy was hard hit by the events resulting from the World War I.” Such introduction tells the reader your research subject concisely. It also gives you a platform to state your thesis.
Adopt a clear thesis
A thesis is a must-have for any academic writing, including history research work – it does not matter whether you are writing a senior thesis or essay for your exams. Thesis statement is the point that you will be proving in your entire research paper. It gives your perspective on the study subject.
The thesis provides a short explanation of the subject you are addressing. Simply, it represents your argument in the essay. The best thesis is the one that answers your formulated research question.
Analyze your issues well
There is a difference between narrating, summarizing, and analyzing issues or events in a history essay. Often, research paper writing requires efficient analysis of associated issues. Analyzing issues in an essay involves the breakdown of the associated elements or issues into parts and establishing how the individual parts link up.
If you are writing a history research paper, it is important that you focus on explaining significance and origin of events in relation to your chosen topic. In history works, such analysis helps in information evaluation.
Provide critical evidence
While doing your history research work, provide critical evidence to all statements and information you use. All sources should be reliable and authentic. Avoid using random sources to support your ideas. Research work requires searching and using scholarly sources only – peer-reviewed journals and books – and ensuring that you cite it correctly. It can be APA, MLA, Harvard, etc. If you are not sure and referencing, ask your university supervisor.
Avoid general statements
Precise statements work well in composition of a great history paper. Use of empty generalizations and vague statements is an indication that you do not have a clear grasp of topic and resources. Your statements should give readers easy understanding of what you are putting across.
Analyze the subject in question deeply using strong statements. It is important to remember that any statement you use while writing your essay should offer room to more supportive ideas.
Do not forget the chronology
Your thesis statement should guide you throughout the writing process; your arguments and supportive statements should flow chronologically. Avoid fragmentation in your history paper; it causes incoherence. Use paragraphs to achieve required chronology.
Your paragraphs should start with an opening statement followed by supportive ideas, and end with conclusion building coherent transitions between paragraphs. Use effective topic sentences to show your main argumentation. After the topic sentence, you may apply a strong list of evidence from your sources to prove the point.
Be careful with sources
History papers are better cited by using footnotes, but your university supervisor may let you use parenthetical citations. You can also use quotes whenever needed. Don’t forget to cite primary sources in historical research assignments; they are the best evidence to support our claims and points. Footnoting is another good method of arranging the referencing in your assignment.
You may cite using:
- footnotes
- parenthetical citations
- quotes
Footnotes offer a great way to capture significance of any historical source you use. Historians use Chicago style of citation in their academic papers. Consider all referencing options first and select the one you feel most comfortable using.
End your paper with a strong conclusion
A great paper does not end abruptly. You need to summarize all your arguments and give conclusive remarks about the subject you were addressing. The conclusion section is where you show authority of your arguments and your level of subject expertise.
Don’t leave your readers hanging. With a strong and conclusive summary of main points, you give readers something to think about, showing the implication of your thesis statement.
Writing a history essay requires careful consideration and application of facts, explanation of causes and their significance, and use of credible sources. Get a topic, brainstorm, and start writing the essay.
A clear history research paper outline will help you address all these issues successfully. After you are through with your first draft, take the time to go over it a couple of times to correct grammar mistakes and sentence structure.