The document provides tips on writing essays in history at level 4. It explains that there are two types of essays: causative and argumentative. Both require a clear introduction, body, and conclusion. The introduction should include the topic, explain key details, and state the aim. The body should have paragraphs with a statement, explanation, illustration, and link back to the statement. The conclusion should briefly summarize without new information. Causative essays explain reasons for an event, while argumentative essays assess significance by discussing points for and against.

1. Tips on Essay Writing – Level 4
There are two kinds of essays in History:
• Causative
• Argumentative
Both essays must ALWAYS have a clear introduction, body and conclusion.
1. INTRODUCTION:
Topic sentence (read the question – refer to the name or event included in the
question). Supporting sentences (explain name or event included in the
question: what-who-when-where). Aim of the essay (you always have to state
the aim of your essay). In order to do so (you must explain the way your body
will be structured - use Passive Voice).
EXAMPLE:
In 1789 a bloody revolution broke out in France. For centuries, the differences between the three
Estates in France and the authoritarian regime of the Absolute Monarchs had created discontent
amongst most of the French society; and this became worse after the hard winter of 1788. The aim
of this essay is to assess why the French Revolution started in 1789. In order to do so, the reasons
why the French Revolution broke out will be examined.
SOME VOCABULARY:
The aim of this essay is to……
Verbs: assess, examine, look into, evaluate, investigate…
2. BODY:
The Body of an essay is its core. During a couple of paragraphs you will answer
the question that is asked. Each paragraph has to follow a LINKER +
STATEMENT (answer the title of the essay) – EXPLANATION –
ILLUSTRATION – GOING BACK TO STATEMENT (closing sentence:
Therefore, answer again the title of the essay as you did in the topic sentence)
structure.
EXAMPLE:
To begin with, there were social reasons why the revolution broke out in France in 1789.
(STATEMENT) The French society was divided into three Estates. The First Estate was formed by
the clergy. The nobles of France belonged to the Second Estate. The Third Estate comprised most of
the population, ranging from rich businessmen and professionals to poor peasants.
(EXPLANATION) By 1789 these three Estates did not have the same duties and privileges.
PROVIDE DETAILS ON THE DUTIES AND PRIVILEGES OF EACH ESTATE. (ILLUSTRATION)
Therefore, the tension and resentment of the members of the different Estates was one of the reasons
why the French reacted in a violent way in 1789. (closing sentence: LINK TO THE QUESTION)
TIPS:
ALWAYS remember to use connectors. (To begin with, Firstly, Moreover, Furthermore,
Secondly, Added to this, What is more, Finally, Therefore)
ALWAYS remember to make the link between your knowledge and the question you are
asked. It’s no good to only mention how the French society was divided if you don’t explain

2. why this was a cause of the French Revolution. This can always be introduced as the last
sentence of your paragraph using the word “Therefore”
3. CONLUSION:
Make a brief summary of what has been said in your body. NO NEW
INFORMATION should be introduced.
EXAMPLE:
To conclude, it must be considered that the figure of King Louis XVI was an important cause that led
to the outbreak of the French Revolution since it could not prevent the riots caused by the
revolutionaries. Nonetheless, other important causes must be considered such as resentment
amongst the different Estates, the economic and financial problems of France and the new ideas
spread by philosophers and soldiers coming back from America.

3. Causative essay:
• “WHY” questions: here you are supposed to list causes or consequences of
an event.
• Explain the causes of an event – explain the reasons why …
EXAMPLE: Why did the French Revolution start in 1789?
Introduction…
Body:
Paragraph 1: To begin with, there were social reasons why the revolution broke out in France in
1789. (STATEMENT) The French society was divided into three Estates. The First Estate was
formed by the clergy. The nobles of France belonged to the Second Estate. The Third Estate
comprised most of the population, ranging from rich businessmen and professionals to poor
peasants. (EXPLANATION) By 1789 these three Estates did not have the same duties and
privileges. PROVIDE DETAILS ON THE DUTIES AND PRIVILEGES OF EACH ESTATE.
(ILLUSTRATION) Therefore, the tension and resentment of the members of the different Estates
was one of the reasons why the French reacted in a violent way in 1789. (Closing sentence: LINK
TO THE QUESTION)
Paragraph 2: In addition, there were economic and financial reasons why the revolution broke out
in France in 1789. (STATEMENT) Firstly, plenty of money had been spent on several wars such as
the one against Britain in 1763. (EXPLANATION: include details on the money spent by the Royal
family and the American War of Independence). Therefore, the fact that the income was less than
the money spent in France in 1789 was a strong reason why people decided to show their discontent
through a revolution. (Closing sentence: LINK TO THE QUESTION)
Paragraph 3: Moreover, the new ideas spread in France at the time were an important cause for the
outbreak of the Revolution. (STATEMENT) Firstly, the ideas of the philosophers were being spread
in France at that time. For example… PROVIDE AT LEAST ONE NAME AND ONE IDEA … In
addition, the soldiers involved in the American War of Independence also brought new ideas of
democracy and equality from America. EXPLAIN SOME OF THESE IDEAS. (EXPLANATION)
Therefore, the new ideas of liberty, equality and fraternity were an important reason why the
revolutionaries started with the riots in France. (Closing sentence: LINK TO THE QUESTION)
Paragraph 4: Also, the weak figure of King Louis XVI and the political problems he had to face
were important causes of the French Revolution. (STATEMENT) The King came to the throne in
1774. He was an absolute monarch, which meant that he was not bound by a constitution, so he had
complete power. Firstly, people believed he was dominated by his wife, Marie-Antoinette from
Austria, who was not exactly loved by all the French society. In addition, some people believed the
king was not ready to rule (EXPLANATION: include all the reasons why the figure of the king
was considered a cause of the French Revolution). Therefore, the fact that the King was unable to
stop the first uprisings is considered one of the causes of the French Revolution. (Closing sentence:
LINK TO THE QUESTION)
Conclusion…

4. Argumentative essay:
• “To what extent” questions
• “How far” questions
• “Yes/no” questions (Were the effects of the Industrial Revolution
positive?)
• “Discuss” questions
When writing these essays you are intended to assess the significance of an
event/ character. Thus, while ASSESSING you have to show points FOR
the statement you are given and points AGAINST it.
EXAMPLE: “To what extent was the figure of Louis XVI the most important
cause that led to the French Revolution?”
Introduction …
Body:
Paragraph 1 - FOR: On the one hand many historians believe that King Louis XVI was the most
important cause that led to the outbreak of the French Revolution. (STATEMENT) To begin with,
people believed he was dominated by his wife, Marie-Antoinette from Austria, who was not exactly
loved by all the French society. In addition, some people believed the king was not ready to rule.
(EXPLANATION: include all the reasons why the figure of the king was considered a cause of
the French Revolution). Therefore, the fact that the King was unable to stop the first uprisings is
considered the most important cause that led to the French Revolution. (Closing sentence: LINK
TO THE QUESTION)
Paragraph 2 – AGAINST: On the other hand, many historians believe that King Louis XVI was not
the most important cause that led to the outbreak of the French Revolution. (STATEMENT) To
begin with, there was social unrest as the French society was divided into three Estates with
different duties and privileges… (EXPLANATION: include all the other reasons why the French
Revolution started; economic problems, new ideas …). Therefore, there were many problems for
the French people in 1789 and that is why the figure of Louis XVI was not the most important cause
that led to the French Revolution. (Closing sentence: LINK TO THE QUESTION)
Conclusion…
The difference in both essays is that in the first one you are asked to LIST causes,
events or consequences, and in the second one, you just have to ASSESS the
importance of them.