Essaying the Past : How to Read, Write and Think about History

by Cullen, Jim

• ISBN13: 9781444351408
• ISBN10: 1444351400
• Edition: 2nd
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2012-07-10
• Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell

Summary

The second edition of Essaying the Past features a variety of updates and enhancements to further its standing as an indispensible resource to all aspects of researching and writing historical essays. Includes expert advice on writing about history, conducting good research, and learning how to think analytically Includes a new chapter addressing common situations that represent steps in the transition from a rough first draft to a final version Covers important topics such as framing questions, developing a strong introduction and topic sentences, choosing good evidence, and the crucial role of revision Includes an annotated case study that takes the reader through one student's process of writing an essay, illustrating how strategies in the text can be successfully implemented New edition features updates to cultural references, a newly written preface, and reorganized table of contents

Author Biography

Jim Cullen teaches history at the Ethical Culture Fieldston School in New York City. A former Preceptor in the Expositor)' Writing Program at Harvard University, he is the author of a dozen books, including The American Dream: A Shot t History of ah idea that Shaped a Nation (2003) and the forthcoming Sensing (lie Past Hollywood Stars and Historical Visions.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments	p. ix
Preface to the Second Edition	p. xii
Introduction to the Student: Why Would You Look at a Book Like This?	p. 1
Thinking and Reading About History	p. 5
History: It's About Time	p. 7
What's the Story with History?	p. 14
The Sources of History	p. 21
Good Answers Begin with Good Questions	p. 30
Search Engines, Research Ingenuity	p. 37
How to Read a Book without Ever Getting to Chapter One	p. 47
Writing About History	p. 61
Analysis: The Intersection of Reading and Writing	p. 63
Making a Case: An Argument in Three Parts	p. 72
Defining Introductions	p. 80
Strong Bodies (I): The Work of Topic Sentences	p. 92
Strong Bodies (II): Exposition and Evidence	p. 101
Strong Bodies (III): Counterargument and Counterevidence	p. 112
Surprising Conclusions	p. 120
Scaling the Summit: Crystallizing Your Argument	p. 127
Writing is Rewriting: The Art of Revision	p. 132
Putting It All Together: The Research Essay (A Case Study)	p. 140
Conclusion: The Love of History	p. 160
Appendices
Writing an Essay: Ten Easy Steps in Review	p. 164
Essay Varieties: DBQs, Reviews, and Comparison Assignments	p. 166
Lets Give a Hand: Bibliographies and Footnotes	p. 173
Credit Scams: The Dangers of Plagiarism	p. 184
Web of Lies? Weighing the Internet	p. 189
A Glossary of Key Terms	p. 193
More Reading About Writing	p. 198
Index	p. 200
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