Research Essay Writing Guide
The research essay consists of several parts. There is no
hard-and-fast rule about the order in which these sections should appear,
with the exception of the Introduction, which appears at the beginning, and
the Conclusion, which appears at the end. In addition, there is no rule as
to how long each part should be, the amount of space that each should take
up within the essay, or whether or not each needs to be in the text or
merely included within the footnotes. These decisions will be governed by
the topic and approach of each essay; part of what a historian does is
figuring out how to weight and construct an historical essay to fit the
topic he or she has chosen to address.
A research essay consists of an introduction which introduces the reader to
the topic and to ones particular historical take on the topic. Some
historians like to "set the scene" with an anecdote that illustrates
something important or interesting, or which catches the interest of the
reader and focuses it on the essay's topic. Others prefer to state vital
data and background to the topic. The way one decides begin the essay is
very much a matter of personal taste. One way to get started is to emulate
eminent historians that one might be inclined towards.
Coherently a research essay also consists of a thesis statement which
commonly appears within the introduction, or else very early in the essay.
Your thesis should be clear and straightforward, and if it is complex, it is
often successful to state a general thesis in one simple sentence, followed
by additional sentences which clarify, detail, and build upon the general
thesis.
Moreover research essays usually contain at least a cursory overview
of the other historical literature which addresses the topic, or in the
context of which the historian has approached the topic otherwise know as
historiography. This often appears only in footnotes, although in many
cases, a straightforward summary of a topic's historiography is an important
enough part of the essay's argument that it should appear in the text of the
essay.
Once the historian has made a thesis statement, then he or she must support
that statement. The historian does so with an argument, a logical
explanation of the reasons why the historian believes the thesis
statement to be true. In order to prove the argument, historians
document their statements with research in primary (first-hand) and
secondary (second-hand) sources. Many disciplines other than history also
engage in research and documentation of research, and as a result, many
styles of documenting research have developed.
Finally when one is nearing the end of a research essay it may be in the
best interest of the reader to include the sources of research through
footnotes. This may include sources from which you will not quote.
Conclusion draws a research essay to an end. Conclusions restate the
thesis statement and recap the argument made to support it. In addition, you
may wish to point out other directions for further research on the issue, or
state the significance of the topic historically or for present-day
concerns. The conclusion may also provide one with the sole appropriate
place (with the exception of footnotes) to express ones personal opinion.
