Similar situation I've dealt with last year.
A history essay is presented in a similar format as you would write one in English. A basic essay is normally compromised of an introductory paragraph, normally reflecting your overall opinion/view on the topic, followed by a series of body paragraphs. These body paragraphs reflect a unit of composition/ an idea that is relative to the prompt/topic given; that is, it dives into a certain type of aspect of a prompt. Body paragraphs have an introductory sentence, evidence, explanation and link...etc etc.
But I think there's a common misconception when it comes with history - in your exams you will not be writing a long essay throughout the 2 hours. Instead, the exam is split into sections, although there is an essay in it.
There's two area of studies:
- Area of Study 1
- Area of Study 2
Both of these AoS will be two separate revolutions chosen by your school. The most common would be Russian/French Revolution. These two area of studies are set out in similar procedures, but the content is different. Therefore there's quite a bit to remember (although you don't have to remember every single minute, banal and humdrum details and dates.
In the exam, it's split into two sections.
Section A (One of your two Revolution)
Section B (Second of your two Revolutions).
Note: It is wise in the following weeks before the exam you choose which revolutions you wish to do in section a/b first; because its structure is quite different. No new content, just how the exam will ask you the question.
Section A: Contains 2 Ten-Mark questions, as well as one 20 mark analysis. The 2 ten mark questions are focused on the first half of the Revolution. The analysis is focused on the second half of the revolution.
Section B: One 20 mark analysis, followed by one 20 mark essay. The analysis is focused on the first half of the Revolution. The essay is focused on the second half of the revolution.
So if you did French Revolution in AoS1, but you are more stronger and confident in it, then you can do Section B.
So you see, you only have to do one essay which, if your timing is done right, have about 30 minutes to write one - a basic structure. However, as always, it's how you set it out in terms of content and expression that rewards you the marks. So calm down, not knowing how to do a history essay will not be the death of you. The structure is simple; only the content and expression of ideas may be the most difficult parts.
However, if you want to begin to do well in history exams next year, I highly suggest that you work on your analysis skills. That is, read primary/secondary sources and determine:
(i) What is the author trying to say. Focus on his ideas/arguments, not how he expresses them. That is the beauty of history; the argument of points.
(ii) What arguments does the author use to make his points? What are the weakness of his argument? How do I know it's weak? What are the strengths of his argument? How do I know it's strong?
(iii) What other historians can I insert to disapprove this historian?
Although that's not the best; it's the gist of it. I can expand on this later if you want.
That mentality will make analysis for you a lot more easier. From my experience, the analysis tends to be the worst.
Other ways to improve your understanding of analysis skills is through the ULP practice your English teaches forces you to do. You'll gain an insight to the ways they use language to express their ideas.
- Cort.
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