Tips while Writing

1. Focus on what the question is asking. Use pertinent and appropriate information only. Excessive information will not directly detract from the grade you receive, but it may indirectly detract from your grade because time spent on tangent cannot be reused.

2. Be structured! Outline or mind map your essay at the top of your first page. Be sure you have an introduction and conclusion. Main points fill the body.

3. Write a strong but clear thesis. This should be included at the end of your introduction. A thesis serves the same purpose in an essay that a topic sentence serves in a paragraph. It states the main idea or a generalization or a conclusion. It is the one statement you would make if you could only make one statement about the essay question or topic.

4. Create a strong first paragraph. Start your essay with style and funnel down to your thesis.

5. Each paragraph needs to include a topic sentence that is either a major point in defense of your thesis or a supplement to one.

6. Defend generalizations with specific examples.

7. Don’t editorialize. Your opinions should be backed up with someone’s research. Thoughts and feelings “off the top of your head” usually take away from a history essay. Avoid using first person statements.

8. Show your quality and style in your conclusion. Don’t merely repeat your main points. Add a “clincher” to the end of your paper.

	Created by enyarko about 10 years ago

Note on Tips for IB History Paper 1, created by enyarko on 26/02/2014.