Crafting Historical Arguments from Historical Evidence
Reflection:
Throughout this school year we had to use historical arguments to support a main claim we had. For example when we wrote DBQ essays we had to read and annotate documents and reflect how this answered the prompt. We always had to use historical arguments to back up our main point in our essays. We used the articles they gave us but you also had to give a piece of history that you knew about that topic. Another way we used used historical arguments was when we wrote our thesis statements. In my opinion thesis statements was always the hardest part in my essays and the most important part. You had to use history and how it related to your topic but you also had to say what you would be talking about in your essay. When we did the debates in March I was very nervous to debate against some one because I was going to lose which I did but I tried my best and that's what matters. When you were debating you had to make arguments as to why you were a better leader than your opponent. It was hard to make historical arguments to show why you were a better leader. These debated were intense and fun and they showed me how to make argument claims for my essays.
Evidence:
For evidence I have an example of a thesis statement I did explaining the differences and similarities between the Chinese society and the Islamic caliphates.
Chronological Reasoning
Reflection:
In our changes and continuities over time essays (CCOT) we learned the causes and effects history has had on the world. On these essays we had to explain how from certain period to certain period there were multiple historical developments. We had to explain how events changed throughout the time and how something caused something else to happen. We can't just state how it started and how it ends. We have to show step by step how something came to be. These essays were always the hardest for me because I couldn't explain the process in which something happened. I could explain the causes and the effects it had but not all the problems it had in between. To make these essays easier we made timelines. Timelines were very helpful when it came to writing a CCOT essay because by jotting down the events that happened during that time it was easier for me to explain the process in which something happened and the causes and effects it had throughout the time.
Evidence:
For evidence I have an example of a chart we did in class which reflects the different events that was happening in the empires. This could be very helpful for a CCOT essay.
Comparison and Contextualization
Reflection:
A way in which we explained how we learned about comparing one society with another or the different development was in a Comparison essay. In a Comparison essay we explained the similarities and differences one region had with another. These essays were the easiest but also one of the hardest. It was easy because all you had to do is just say how the regions were similar and how they differ and just elaborate. It was hard because you had to remember what they had in common and what they didn't and you had to be right with what you say because if you are wrong you didn't get credit. A T-Chart was very helpful when it came to making a Comparison essay. You could write down all you new about one society and see how they both shared similarities and how they differ.
Evidence:
As evidence I have an example of a T-Chart I did. This was very helpful when it came to writing a Comparison essay. This shows the different historical developments in each society.
Historical Interpretation and Synthesis
Reflection:
One way in which we used interpretations of the past were in DBQ essays. In these essays we had to use the documents they gave us which were ten or less and use them appropriately to answer the prompt. We had to use them as evidence and show how it related to the question not just simply summarizing the documents. We also had to analyze the point of view of the person who wrote each document. Explain how in his point of view things were either good or bad. You need to look in which social class he falls on and see how that influences the way he sees everything. In a DBQ essay you need to be able to interpret all the documents and show how they relate to history. The hardest type of document to interpret is a picture. Pictures are one of the hardest documents because you have to pay attention to every detail in the picture and show how it relates to history. You have to make sure to explain how the picture can answer the question of the prompt.
Evidence:
As evidence I have some documents from a DBQ essay I annotated. This shows how you have to interpret and analyze different evidence you may have on an essay.
