Writing for History

The purpose of writing for 100 and 200-level history classes is to show your professor what you’re thinking about the material, how you’re organizing it and using ideas from it to add to the conversation. Writing in history is like entering a conversation with other scholars. How does your interpretation of the source material offer a new insight or add nuance to what has already been said? When analyzing primary sources, your aim is to agree with, critique, or add something new to existing secondary sources on the same topic.  

• Good Writing in History

  Good writing in history will include clear, even simple sentences. As one faculty member in the department explained, “every reader reads sentence by sentence. I would rather read clear, simple sentences that show you understand the material than sentences so complicated I lose what it’s about by the time I get to the end.”

  Each paragraph will have a topic sentence and provide evidence grounded in the source. Avoid using long quotations from the readings; your professor has read the material and understands it well. If you want to remind your professor of something stated in a secondary source, state the thing in your own words. Explain what the author is doing, and then use that to make your own point. 

  Caveat: if you’re referring to a primary source, do quote the text directly, and then offer your interpretation. Remember that you need to introduce each quotation and follow it with your own analysis, connecting it to your argument. 

• What Type of Paper Is This?

  Before you begin writing, consider that there are multiple types of history papers you might be asked to write. Does the prompt or assignment ask for a paper that is:

  • largely historiographical, asking you to compare the interpretive and methodological approaches and conclusions of different scholars? 
  • based on research outside of the assigned readings?
  • comparing texts or experiences? 
  • identifying and analyzing patterns of change and/or continuity? 
  • an exploratory thought piece? 
  • a book review? 
  • a primary source analysis?  

  Or, might it be a combination of any of these? If you’re not sure which type you’re meant to write, ask your professor. The conversation will certainly yield helpful information.  

• Structure of a History Paper

  Many strong papers open by identifying who is thinking/acting and then identifying the problem, question, or tension the paper is going to explore. Your introduction should include your thesis statement and a map of where your paper is going. 

  Tip: A good introduction can’t be written first, because you don’t know where you’re going until you’ve written the first draft. If you get to the end of the paper and your final paragraph clearly states your position or ideas, move that to the top and reframe it as described above. 

   

  The 5-paragraph essay concept can serve as a framework for your first papers in history, helping you remember to include evidence and observations from the readings, trying to make each paragraph build to the next. Remember that you’re not limited to 5 paragraphs or three main points, and likely will need more than that to make an argument at this level.  

  The conclusion should point forward in time, acknowledge that this may have been the case for one group of people but not another, or head off a weakness in your argument by acknowledging the complexity of the time about which you’re writing. Aim to answer the question “why does this matter?” in the conclusion by asking yourself if your interpretation encourages the reader to re-evaluate how they see certain events in the modern day, or if your interpretation draws a line of continuity between the past and today. 

  Tip: Speaking of past and present, writing in history requires a nuanced use of verb tenses. We use the past tense for events in the past, but when talking about the source itself we switch to the present tense ("the source says..."). As you review your paper, make sure you’re toggling correctly between these two verb tenses. 

• Can I Use I?

  It’s typically okay to use the first person in short, informal response papers. However, for longer papers, ask your professor about their preference; some think it’s fine to use “I,” others never want to see it.

• Citation style

  Many historians use the Chicago Manual of Style for citations, but some prefer MLA style. When in doubt, ask your professor.

Note: While these guides are designed by and for Williams students (with the help of Williams faculty), we can’t recommend highly enough Harvard Professor (and frequent contributor to the New Yorker) Jill Lepore’s short essay “How to Write a Paper for this Class.” Download it here if you’d like to read more about writing in history.