How should I tackle an essay question?

Reading the question carefully is the first step as you can determine the exact meaning and demands of it and identify the key terms in order to define them. I find, especially in exams, jotting down the main themes and events that are related to the question useful as it provides you with a good starting point for what needs to be included. Planning is essential for a clear structure and layout to your essay and helps ensure that you maintain a clear line of argument throughout your essay.

When planning, your introduction should provide a clear idea of what main themes and factors your essay will discuss as well as your main argument that answers the essay question. It is a good idea to introduce any Historians’ arguments that you are going to engage with in your essay here. Defining the key terms of the question also allows you to keep the focus of your essay directly on the question. In the main body of your essay your paragraphs can be organised thematically and in order of significance. You should start off each paragraph with a topic sentence that clearly indicates what the paragraph will discuss. Within each paragraph your points should be backed up by contextual knowledge and facts which you can then analyse, referring to whether they support or challenge the argument. Linking between each paragraph helps keep the flow of the argument by connecting the factors of your essay. Finally, the conclusion should summarise your argument and the key factors you discussed in your paragraphs. If applicable, you can explain the relative importance of each factor as well.