by Sarah Mahl
Next to starting an essay, writing the conclusion is arguably one of the most difficult tasks a writer can undergo. It’s especially daunting because it’s the last element the reader will read. I’ve found, however, that with practice, writing the conclusion has become much easier. In the past, I’ve been taught to start the conclusion by restating my main argument or reframing it in a new context. This is usually an easy way to get started because it doesn’t require any new ideas, but I’ve also been taught to restate the thesis using new words instead of copying and pasting it. This is because the thesis has a different purpose in the conclusion than in the introduction; in the introduction, the thesis’ purpose was to introduce the main argument, but in the conclusion, because the main argument has already been developed in the body paragraphs, the restatement of the thesis begins to transition the paper from the argument to the implications of the essay. In a longer paper, I’ve also found it helpful to summarize some of the points I talked about to remind the reader of my argument. After restating the thesis and summarizing my main points, I will then brainstorm the implications of the paper if I don’t already have an idea. It helps to ask myself questions, including “What’s the “so what”? Why is this important? Why are my claims significant to a larger conversation? What are some suggestions and ideas for the future?” This not only puts my essay into a larger context and universalizes the topic I chose, but it also shows the reader how they can apply my essay in the future and gives them something to think about. Of course, the conclusion I write depends on the type of paper I’m writing. The conclusion for an English essay will look vastly different from the conclusion of a physics report. When I am faced with an unfamiliar discipline, it helps to reference other writers in the field and study how they write their conclusions. Regardless, I try to remember that it just needs to tie everything in the paper together. I’ve also noticed that some of my more favorite conclusions create a conversation with the reader. I like thinking about it as if I’m physically giving my paper to the reader, like a gift. In the end, though, there is no “correct” structure for a conclusion. I always try to use my best judgement for my essay and my conclusion to make a decision that I am proud of. Author Michael Moorcock said, “Ignore all proffered rules and create your own, suitable for what you want to say.” Every conclusion, like every essay, is unique, so make it your own! References https://getfreewrite.com/blogs/writing-success/writing-tips-from-famous-writers
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By Elena Selthun Beginning a history paper can seem like a daunting task, but at its core, history writing is simple: think of it as “advanced storytelling.” Of course, the “story” you are telling should be one you can support with scholarly sources, and from these sources you will draw evidence to create your argument, which is the backbone of your story and paper. When you are in the beginning stages of a history paper, a major part of your brainstorming process will be research. To write a history paper, you will probably need to: • Compile a variety of sources, primary and secondary • Make connections between those sources • Synthesize those sources to “tell a story” Throughout the research process, you may find that it is often easier to figure out a topic after a close look at existing scholarly research – where are the gaps? What story needs to be told? Why? How can you use existing research, or the gaps in it, to tell that story? Here is an example of the introduction for a history paper in SUURJ (Seattle University Undergraduate Research Journal): This paper begins with a quote from a source the author references. The author draws evidence from this quote to support her “story” about the evolving practice of the secondhand clothing trade. She then begins her thesis by making connections between different kinds of history: economic + social → fashion It is not only important to find sources for a history paper – you also need to cite them. Different professors may have different preferences, but typically MLA and Chicago Style are used in history writing. Both citation styles are often used with footnotes, and you should expect to cite often in your paper, whether you are quoting or paraphrasing your sources. (It is a good idea to paraphrase more, and use quotes sparingly for emphasis, as seen in the example above.) These citation styles reflect history’s focus on where and when sources are from, as well as any information about which translation or edition they might be – history sources should be easy for your reader to find. Your citations should be accessible to your reader, for example, here the primary and secondary sources are separated and identified in the works cited for ease of access and overall clarity of sources. In Chicago Style, the Notes section follows the Works Cited section and corresponds to footnotes in order to provide additional context, refer readers to more sources, and more directly address other scholarly research. Throughout the history writing process, there are two “guiding principles” of the history discipline that are helpful to keep in mind: selection & interpretation.
These may seem confusing, but they are pretty simple in practice! Think of them as disclaimers to your audience – you are doing your best to create an accurate and meaningful argument for a larger story, but you also recognize your limitations and refrain from making unrealistic assumptions or drawing conclusions without convincing, varied, and well-sourced evidence to do so. Here, the author practices selection and interpretation by acknowledging the limits of the sources she selected and her method of interpretation (“sideways” examination). She includes this extensive and honest disclaimer at the beginning of her paper, in the Methods section. Though not every paper will have this section, acknowledging and practicing selection & interpretation is still important when writing your history paper in order to become both an advanced storyteller and a trustworthy source. References Harvard Writing Center Brief Guide Series: A Brief Guide to Writing the History Paper. (2007). Retrieved from https://writingproject.fas.harvard.edu/pages/brief-guides- disciplines Erin Kwan (2017) "Clothes Make the (Wo)Man: Interpreting Evidence of the Secondhand Clothing Trade in Late Medieval England," SUURJ: Seattle University Undergraduate Research Journal: Vol. 1 , Article 16. Available at: https://scholarworks.seattleu.edu/suurj/vol1/iss1/16 Van Etten, A. (2019, October 27). Personal interview. |
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January 2024
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