What is historiography and how can it be used in an exam essay?

Historiography is history as written by academics who are experts in the areas they have studied, and so their commentary and interpretations are regarded as reliable and credible. Though not explicitly neccesary in an exam essay, including a reference to a historian's interpretation to support your own line of debate can be an easy and useful way to pick up high marks if used correctly. It does not need to be in depth or even a direct quote, simply one sentence paraphrasing or refencing a viewpoint of a historian or group of historians incorporated into your own argument, then backed up by historical facts which evidence your argument is a good way of demonstrating your understanding. For example, if you were arguing in favour of Elizabeth I being successful in dealing with threats to her sovereignty then you could summarise an argument made by David Starky who is prominant historian who has written much on her reign.

An even simpler way of including historiography that doesn't require remembering the names of historians is simply to do a little wider reading into what the 'tradional' and 'revisionist' veiws of key historical periods/events/people are, in whichever period of history you're studying. A traditionalist interpretation is simply the original point of veiw of a certain aspect of history. So for example, Starky's writtings on Elizabeth I largely represent the traditionalist veiw of her reign: the 'Gloriana' Queen, defender of the realm against Spanish invasion. Revisionist interpretations are ones made more recently and mostly challenge the traditionalist view. So in my example, revisionists take a more critical approach to some aspects of her reign and her glorious image. However, you really don't need to go into too much detail or analyse the pros and cons of each view; just a reference to whichever argument you wish to discuss is good and essentially must be backed up by historical knowledge and facts to earn the marks.