tips for history assignments?
12
Hey, I do history at university and my assignments are upcoming (around december, I know it's early but I want to get a headstart).
What are the tips for writing a good essay? I've looked at the marking rubric of course, but I was wondering if there was anything you guys you wish you did differently on your first year assignments, hacks and the best way to approach it?
As well, would you prioritise writing your assignment over your lecture pre readings?
What are the tips for writing a good essay? I've looked at the marking rubric of course, but I was wondering if there was anything you guys you wish you did differently on your first year assignments, hacks and the best way to approach it?
As well, would you prioritise writing your assignment over your lecture pre readings?
I've moved this thread to a more relevant forum.
Original post
by FrxstyxHey, I do history at university and my assignments are upcoming (around december, I know it's early but I want to get a headstart).
What are the tips for writing a good essay? I've looked at the marking rubric of course, but I was wondering if there was anything you guys you wish you did differently on your first year assignments, hacks and the best way to approach it?
As well, would you prioritise writing your assignment over your lecture pre readings?
What are the tips for writing a good essay? I've looked at the marking rubric of course, but I was wondering if there was anything you guys you wish you did differently on your first year assignments, hacks and the best way to approach it?
As well, would you prioritise writing your assignment over your lecture pre readings?
Hello, history graduate here
First of all to be asking this question in first year is already impressive. First year is your chance to get stuff wrong and learn from those mistakes before assignments start actually counting towards your overall grade next year and beyond.
By the way, if I get cut off I'm at the GP and will send whatever I have when they call
Reply 3
Original post
by FrxstyxHey, I do history at university and my assignments are upcoming (around december, I know it's early but I want to get a headstart).
What are the tips for writing a good essay? I've looked at the marking rubric of course, but I was wondering if there was anything you guys you wish you did differently on your first year assignments, hacks and the best way to approach it?
As well, would you prioritise writing your assignment over your lecture pre readings?
What are the tips for writing a good essay? I've looked at the marking rubric of course, but I was wondering if there was anything you guys you wish you did differently on your first year assignments, hacks and the best way to approach it?
As well, would you prioritise writing your assignment over your lecture pre readings?
Start early, make sure your argument is clear, and back up every claim with strong evidence. And yes, when deadlines are coming up, focus on the essay first; pre-readings can wait.
Reply 4
Frxstyx
OP
12
Original post
by pakearthStart early, make sure your argument is clear, and back up every claim with strong evidence. And yes, when deadlines are coming up, focus on the essay first; pre-readings can wait.
Would you say that it's better to focus on pre-readings if they are relative to your assignment? Even if it means say ignoring a core reading on topic A but a background reading on topic B since your assignment question is relative to topic B? If that makes sense. (we get to choose from eight I think, theyre not released yet) We're not graded on anything but our assignments.
Back now - the question about you choosing to either spend time on essay or on reading has several flaws behind it:
1. The reading may help your essay
2. You may be spending too much time on that reading
3. It's part of university to manage both
For #2, have you learned the trick of reading the first page of a chapter, reading the last page, then only reading the innards if it's either unclear to you or especially of interest? I would start doing that if you aren't already doing so.
1. The reading may help your essay
2. You may be spending too much time on that reading
3. It's part of university to manage both
For #2, have you learned the trick of reading the first page of a chapter, reading the last page, then only reading the innards if it's either unclear to you or especially of interest? I would start doing that if you aren't already doing so.
Reply 6
Frxstyx
OP
12
Original post
by 04MR17Back now - the question about you choosing to either spend time on essay or on reading has several flaws behind it:
1. The reading may help your essay
2. You may be spending too much time on that reading
3. It's part of university to manage both
For #2, have you learned the trick of reading the first page of a chapter, reading the last page, then only reading the innards if it's either unclear to you or especially of interest? I would start doing that if you aren't already doing so.
1. The reading may help your essay
2. You may be spending too much time on that reading
3. It's part of university to manage both
For #2, have you learned the trick of reading the first page of a chapter, reading the last page, then only reading the innards if it's either unclear to you or especially of interest? I would start doing that if you aren't already doing so.
I don't mean either the reading or my assignment, more if it came down to it would the assignment take priority in the worst case scenario of being behind.
And as for my reading techniques, we are told to skim read our pre readings for lectures. Which I have been doing, if the style of writing is easier to understand then of course I read through it much quicker whereas with more abstract and complicated academic writing it takes me a longer.
I will try that first page and last page technique, however.
Essay structure -
Avoid first person.
Avoid overly verbose language - it's not clever it's just pretentious.
Focus on clarity of argument.
At undergraduate level all you are essentially doing is weighing up various historians positions and in the conclusion establishing your own position within the debate.
Your A Level history coursework (if you are from the English school system and if you did A Levels) was the building blocks for the kind of quality you're aiming for now.
Avoid first person.
Avoid overly verbose language - it's not clever it's just pretentious.
Focus on clarity of argument.
At undergraduate level all you are essentially doing is weighing up various historians positions and in the conclusion establishing your own position within the debate.
Your A Level history coursework (if you are from the English school system and if you did A Levels) was the building blocks for the kind of quality you're aiming for now.
Original post
by FrxstyxI don't mean either the reading or my assignment, more if it came down to it would the assignment take priority in the worst case scenario of being behind.
And as for my reading techniques, we are told to skim read our pre readings for lectures. Which I have been doing, if the style of writing is easier to understand then of course I read through it much quicker whereas with more abstract and complicated academic writing it takes me a longer.
I will try that first page and last page technique, however.
And as for my reading techniques, we are told to skim read our pre readings for lectures. Which I have been doing, if the style of writing is easier to understand then of course I read through it much quicker whereas with more abstract and complicated academic writing it takes me a longer.
I will try that first page and last page technique, however.
You aren't assessed for how well you read before a lecture or seminar. You are assessed for your assignments so yes, assignments take priority but it sounds like you're already very very studious so your head and heart are both in the right place.
Reply 9
Frxstyx
OP
12
Original post
by 04MR17You aren't assessed for how well you read before a lecture or seminar. You are assessed for your assignments so yes, assignments take priority but it sounds like you're already very very studious so your head and heart are both in the right place.
sorry to bother you again but do you have any more tips when it comes to balancing the reading and assignments?
Original post
by Frxstyxsorry to bother you again but do you have any more tips when it comes to balancing the reading and assignments?
To remember that just because you've been set it as reading doesn't mean it is necessarily a well written text. I remember reading some historians and not really having a clue what they were talking about, purely down to the obfuscation going on within their writing style.
Reply 11
Original post
by FrxstyxHey, I do history at university and my assignments are upcoming (around december, I know it's early but I want to get a headstart).
What are the tips for writing a good essay? I've looked at the marking rubric of course, but I was wondering if there was anything you guys you wish you did differently on your first year assignments, hacks and the best way to approach it?
As well, would you prioritise writing your assignment over your lecture pre readings?
What are the tips for writing a good essay? I've looked at the marking rubric of course, but I was wondering if there was anything you guys you wish you did differently on your first year assignments, hacks and the best way to approach it?
As well, would you prioritise writing your assignment over your lecture pre readings?
Hey!
I am a third year history student at Bournemouth University, and I have been in the same situation as you. As @04MR17 said, it is impressive that you're already asking these questions! First year is your chance to play around with your approaches and see what works best for you, so please don't be afraid to make mistakes.
My advice would be to read around the topic beyond the suggested reading lists. This doesn't have to be reading a monograph cover-to-cover, but a few journal articles will help you craft an argument. This is because a) you'll have more knowledge on the topic and b) you'll start to see how historians write and construct their arguments.
Also, if you feel comfortable, have a look at some primary sources. There are some great books out there which outline how to analyse sources in the academic field.
I would also advise that you avoid using first person, or even fourth person (i.e. "one could suggest") as this will make your essay weaker at times, or maybe a little awkward. Personally, I treat the essay as if it is an objective item - i.e. I will occasionally drop in a "this essay contends".
I would also practice your referencing. This is really important and the more you practice the quicker it will become second nature.
To respond to your second question, I would suggest that in a worse case scenario -Yes, prioritise your assignments. Seminar and Lecture readings are there to help you digest and understand the content. If you are on top of these, you can use seminars as a way to play around with interpretations and you'll be better placed to consider your peers' opinions too - this, in turn, will help you craft arguments in your assignments.
I hope this helps. If you need any clarification, or I can help any further, feel free to ask.
Best,
Harvey
Reply 12
Start early, outline your argument, and use both primary and secondary sources effectively. Show critical thinking by comparing historians’ views, not just quoting them. Prioritise your assignments over readings when deadlines approach, structure and clarity matter most.
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