Vusumuzi Dube
An essay should have three components, which are; (i) introduction (ii) body (iii) conclusion
Introduction
Your introduction should be short. lt should touch on important points wanted by the question. lt should touch both sides of the question. Your introduction should also have a judgment, however, this depends on the nature of the question.
Open-phrased questions should have a judgment. In your introduction don’t quote any scholar, or exemplify. Start your introduction with the affirmative side and then move on to the other side of the question.
Body
You should use the PEEL method. P: topic point. E: explanation. E: exemplification. L: Linkage. P: Your topic point should have a link with the introduction. Again your topic point should be a sentence that brings an argument. It should not be a general or obvious sentence.
Practice Question
To what extent was the financial crises responsible for the revolution of 1789? (25)
On this question, your topic sentence can be: The financial crises played a significant role in causing the revolution of 1789.
In this sentence you highlighted that it was significant, hence you will show us why you are saying it played an important role. An argument can be derived as you, later on, explain this point.
E: Explanation: You then explain your topic point. The financial crisis was significant because. You can explain why the financial crisis was significant in three or 4 sentences. It is very important to explain your points in detail.
lf your paragraphs are very short it’s because your points are very few and not explained in detail. As you explain your points make sure that they are answering the question. Relevance and coherence are very important.
Exemplification: At this point, you give specific examples. Exemplification can be done in four different ways. That is: Name-You give names of people eg Louis xvi. Places/ Battles Eg at the Versailles settlement or at the battle of Trafalgar. Statistics/Figures-Eg Robspiere killed 1300 people. Quotations- Eg According to MUSO
Quoting scholars doesn’t earn you more marks. You can still get a good mark without quoting a single scholar.
Linkage: Link your points to the question. You are concluding your paragraph. Use words such as: Hence. Therefore. Thus , Etc
Conclusion: Your conclusion should be short. Your conclusion should sum up what you were discussing in the body. Don’t give quotations or examples in your conclusion. Use the following words to conclude: To sum up. To conclude. In a nutshell. Conclusively, Etc
Dr Manners Msongelwa is the president of History Teachers of Zimbabwe and a history teacher at Camelot College in Kwekwe
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