“Backward Essay Planning” – the Rule of Pinochet
In this activity, students are presented from the outset with a model essay on the subject of the Rise of Pinochet. They then go through this reading it carefully for style and content, highlighting off key features and discussing their thoughts with the class. Next, each student is given a different key term or event to research which isn’t currently covered in the essay and decide how to incorporate this into the essay most effectively. These thoughts again are shared so that the essay develops and improves further. Finally, they are given a factual test on the rule of Pinochet and write a timed essay on a different title relating to the same topic: