A new Model Essay to share with students after they have written their own: How successful were President Johnson’s “Great Society” reforms? You can access 40+ other essays by Russel Tarr on this page of ActiveHistory. (54 views)
Tag: essay
Convert a teacher’s essay into a History magazine article
Overview It’s always good practice for teachers to write a timed essay at the same time, and in the same conditions, as their students. In this way students can immediately appreciate that you can ‘walk the walk’ and not just ‘talk the talk’. Moreover, they will then be able to compare their essays, and the…
Lotus diagram templates for essay planning
Lotus diagram templates for essay planning Overview I’m grateful to Shani Hartley for introducing me to Lotus Diagrams. These are graphic organisers that help students break down a question into key factors or arguments and then methodically summarise the essential knowledge that can be used to substantiate each one of these. In some respects Lotus Diagrams are similar…
Guidance for writing the coursework essay for students
This document – guidance for writing the coursework essay for students – outlines how to write an introduction, a conclusion, and provides a range of key words and phrases to help them analyse significance. It also makes use of the ClassTools “Essay Writing Bookmark” which I have made freely available for download here. (467 views)
The Rise of Hitler: Essay Planning Generator
This new essay-planning generator helps students consider how five key factors which caused the Rise of Hitler can be linked in various ways. The computer shuffles the various factors as a pack. It then deals out the first two and connects them using a database of possible links. It then takes the third factor and…
Causes of the Spanish Civil War: Essay Planning Generator
This new essay-planning generator helps students consider how five key factors which caused the Spanish Civil War can be linked in various ways. The computer shuffles the various factors as a pack. It then deals out the first two and connects them using a database of possible links. It then takes the third factor and…
Model Essay – Analyse the Rise and Fall of Thomas Wolsey (originally published in History Review)
Analyse the Rise and Fall of Thomas Wolsey (originally published in History Review) 40+ Model History Essays by RJ Tarr of www.activehistory.co.uk As well as writing a number of articles for History Review magazine, I make it a habit to write essays in timed conditions whenever I set such assignments with my classes. These serve…
Model Essay: Analyse the causes of the Spanish Civil War
Model Essay: Analyse the causes of the Spanish Civil War A sample essay by RJ Tarr of www.activehistory.co.uk. 40+ Model History Essays by RJ Tarr of www.activehistory.co.uk As well as writing a number of articles for History Review magazine, I make it a habit to write essays in timed conditions whenever I set such assignments…
Model Essay – How successful were Mussolini’s Domestic Policies?
Model Essay – How successful were Mussolini’s Domestic Policies? (note: teacher password required). An essay completed in timed conditions by RJ Tarr of www.activehistory.co.uk. 40+ Model History Essays by RJ Tarr of www.activehistory.co.uk As well as writing a number of articles for History Review magazine, I make it a habit to write essays in timed…
Model Essay: “To what extent did the French Revolution deliver on its promises of Liberty, Equality, Fraternity?”
Model Essay: “To what extent did the French Revolution deliver on its promises of Liberty, Equality, Fraternity?”(teacher password required) A sample essay which I wrote myself in timed conditions for the benefit of my students. From: 40+ Model History Essays by RJ Tarr of www.activehistory.co.uk (171 views)
Model Essay: “Castro’s mastery of guerrilla warfare was the main reason why he was able to take control of Cuba”. To what extent do you agree with this statement?
Model Essay: “Castro’s mastery of guerrilla warfare was the main reason why he was able to take control of Cuba”. To what extent do you agree with this statement? (note: teacher password required). From: 40+ Model History Essays by RJ Tarr of www.activehistory.co.uk (171 views)
“Backward Essay Planning” – the Rule of Pinochet
“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…
Model Essay: Evaluate the political and economic impact of military rule in Chile between 1973 and 1989
Evaluate the political and economic impact of military rule in Chile between 1973 and 1989 A model essay by RJ Tarr. (126 views)
Model Essay: With reference to two examples from two different regions, assess (a) the reasons for the use of guerrilla warfare, and (b) its effectiveness. (compares Cuba and Vietnam).
With reference to two examples from two different regions, assess (a) the reasons for the use of guerrilla warfare, and (b) its effectiveness. (compares Cuba and Vietnam). (132 views)
IB Extended Essay: Marksheet and Guidance
Marksheet and Guidance A student-friendly version of the IB mark scheme, combining the generic guidance from the IB as well as its subject-specific criteria for History. (265 views)
IB Extended Essay – Completing the “Reflections on Planning and Progress” Form
Completing the “Reflections on Planning and Progress” Form A suggested timetable for students to help them complete this important part of the study in a timely fashion. (206 views)
Style Guide: Formatting your Extended Essay
Style Guide: Formatting your Extended Essay A simple summary sheet providing a useful checklist to help students format their final study appropriately. (139 views)
Six Steps for Writing your Extended Essay in IB History
Six Steps for Writing your Extended Essay in IB History A one-sided sheet provided step-by-step guidance for students on how to go about producing their Extended Essay. (228 views)
Model Essay: For what reasons, and with what results, did the Civil Rights movement become more radical after 1964?
Model Essay: For what reasons, and with what results, did the Civil Rights movement become more radical after 1964? A sample essay written by me which I share with students for discussion purposes after they have completed their own assignment. (178 views)
Model Essay: Assess the view that “After initial failures, Kennedy’s handling of foreign policy grew increasingly successful as time went on”
Model Essay: Assess the view that “After initial failures, Kennedy’s handling of foreign policy grew increasingly successful as time went on” A model essay written in timed conditions by RJ Tarr. Set the question to students too, then use this to compare alongside them in a feedback session. (141 views)
Cold War – Random Essay Question Generator!
Cold War – Random Essay Question Generator! This tool is desiged to help teachers and students prepare for the IB Paper 2 exam by generating possible questions to practice and discuss. It is based on the command terms and syllabus bullet points provided in the IB syllabus. Use this tool to generate a random question…
Student bookmark: Key vocabulary for essay writing
Overview I have designed the following bookmark in order to help students use a richer range of vocabulary to express their ideas more clearly in essays: Sets of these bookmarks can be printed off, laminated, cut out, and then shared with students to keep in their planners or textbooks. Download Student bookmark: vocabulary for essay writing…
Model Essay: “Analyse the successes and failures of Nixon’s domestic policies”
Model Essay: “Analyse the successes and failures of Nixon’s domestic policies” A timed essay that I wrote in exam conditions to share with students for revision and discussion. Part of the Nixon’s Administration scheme of work. (148 views)
Model Essay: “Assess the successes and failures of Nixon’s foreign policy”
Model Essay: “Assess the successes and failures of Nixon’s foreign policy” [teacher password required] Students should close this unit by tackling one of the essay questions outlined above in timed conditions. The essay provided here was written by me in timed conditions whilst my own students tacked a similar question. Part of the new scheme of…
Model Essay: Analyse the successes and failures of President Kennedy’s foreign policies towards Latin America between 1961 and 1963.
Analyse the successes and failures of President Kennedy’s foreign policies towards Latin America between 1961 and 1963. A model essay by RJ Tarr. (73 views)
Model Essay: Compare and Contrast the Rise of Pinochet and Franco
Model Essay: Compare and Contrast the Rise of Pinochet and Franco Students first have a brainstorm about what are the most frequent causes for the rise of single party state rulers. They then analyse the key methods and conditions which led to the rise of particular individual dictators, then compare and contrast them. In this…
Model Essay – Compare and contrast the role of ideology in causing two 20th-century wars, each chosen from a different region
Compare and contrast the role of ideology in causing two 20th-century wars, each chosen from a different region “Although at face value very different conflicts, the Spanish Civil War and the Vietnam War were strikingly similar in a number of important ways: not least the central role played by ideology in precipitating the outbreak of…
Model Essay – What were the most frequent causes of 20th-century wars?
What were the most frequent causes of 20th-century wars? (model essay) “The 20th Century was defined by two World Wars which brought havoc upon civilization unprecedented in human history, and in the continued instability of the 21st century a study of their causes – and how to avoid them – is an essential method of working…
Model Essay: To what extent were conflicting views about Germany the main cause of the Cold War up to 1949?
Model Essay: To what extent were conflicting views about Germany the main cause of the Cold War up to 1949? (Teacher password required) A model essay written by RJ Tarr (author of www.activehistory.co.uk). Part of the comprehensive Origins of the Cold War Unit. (197 views)
Origins of the Cold War: Essay Writing Advice
Essay Writing Phase “Read through the following essay titles. Identify (e.g. by highlighting / dragging-dropping) common themes. These questions will be shared between the class. Produce an essay plan in 10 minutes for your allocated essay. Then feed back to the class with your thoughts and findings. In a lesson next week, one question from…
To what extent was Elizabeth I to blame for Spain’s decision to invade England in 1588? Essay Instructions and Markscheme
Part of the new materials to support a study of Elizabethan England, for example: Early Elizabethan England, 1558-88 (Edexcel) Elizabethan England, c1568-1603 (AQA) Why did the Spanish decide to invade England in 1588? > Conclusion: To what extent was Elizabeth I to blame for Spain’s decision to invade England in 1588? – Essay Instructions and…
Model Essay: In what ways, and with what results, did the Cold War influence relations between Latin America with the United States in the period 1945 to 1957?
Model Essay by Russel Tarr: In what ways, and with what results, did the Cold War influence relations between Latin America with the United States in the period 1945 to 1957? (note: teacher password required) An essay written in timed conditions and then shared with my own students. (153 views)
Model Essay: How did the early years of the Cold War (1946 to 1956) affect the political and social life of the United States?
Model Essay: How did the early years of the Cold War (1946 to 1956) affect the political and social life of the United States? [teacher password required] Here’s a model essay I wrote on the key question in timed conditions, and which students could be given after completing their own. (170 views)
Essay Planning Exercise: Analyse the roots of the Cold War before 1945 | Completed model essay
Essay Planning Exercise: Analyse the roots of the Cold War before 1945 | Completed model essay To ensure that students are sufficiently prepared for any Cold War question that comes up, we spend time writing up a carefully considered answer to the key question. Students will write this answer as a timed essay in the…
