how to write a history coursework introduction

How to write an introduction for a history essay

Every essay needs to begin with an introductory paragraph. It needs to be the first paragraph the marker reads.

While your introduction paragraph might be the first of the paragraphs you write, this is not the only way to do it.

You can choose to write your introduction after you have written the rest of your essay.

This way, you will know what you have argued, and this might make writing the introduction easier.

Either approach is fine. If you do write your introduction first, ensure that you go back and refine it once you have completed your essay. 

What is an ‘introduction paragraph’?

An introductory paragraph is a single paragraph at the start of your essay that prepares your reader for the argument you are going to make in your body paragraphs .

It should provide all of the necessary historical information about your topic and clearly state your argument so that by the end of the paragraph, the marker knows how you are going to structure the rest of your essay.

In general, you should never use quotes from sources in your introduction.

Introduction paragraph structure

While your introduction paragraph does not have to be as long as your body paragraphs , it does have a specific purpose, which you must fulfil.

A well-written introduction paragraph has the following four-part structure (summarised by the acronym BHES).

B – Background sentences

H – Hypothesis

E – Elaboration sentences

S - Signpost sentence

Each of these elements are explained in further detail, with examples, below:

1. Background sentences

The first two or three sentences of your introduction should provide a general introduction to the historical topic which your essay is about. This is done so that when you state your hypothesis , your reader understands the specific point you are arguing about.

Background sentences explain the important historical period, dates, people, places, events and concepts that will be mentioned later in your essay. This information should be drawn from your background research . 

Example background sentences:

Middle Ages (Year 8 Level)

Castles were an important component of Medieval Britain from the time of the Norman conquest in 1066 until they were phased out in the 15 th and 16 th centuries. Initially introduced as wooden motte and bailey structures on geographical strongpoints, they were rapidly replaced by stone fortresses which incorporated sophisticated defensive designs to improve the defenders’ chances of surviving prolonged sieges.

WWI (Year 9 Level)

The First World War began in 1914 following the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand. The subsequent declarations of war from most of Europe drew other countries into the conflict, including Australia. The Australian Imperial Force joined the war as part of Britain’s armed forces and were dispatched to locations in the Middle East and Western Europe.

Civil Rights (Year 10 Level)

The 1967 Referendum sought to amend the Australian Constitution in order to change the legal standing of the indigenous people in Australia. The fact that 90% of Australians voted in favour of the proposed amendments has been attributed to a series of significant events and people who were dedicated to the referendum’s success.

Ancient Rome (Year 11/12 Level)  

In the late second century BC, the Roman novus homo Gaius Marius became one of the most influential men in the Roman Republic. Marius gained this authority through his victory in the Jugurthine War, with his defeat of Jugurtha in 106 BC, and his triumph over the invading Germanic tribes in 101 BC, when he crushed the Teutones at the Battle of Aquae Sextiae (102 BC) and the Cimbri at the Battle of Vercellae (101 BC). Marius also gained great fame through his election to the consulship seven times.

2. Hypothesis

Once you have provided historical context for your essay in your background sentences, you need to state your hypothesis .

A hypothesis is a single sentence that clearly states the argument that your essay will be proving in your body paragraphs .

A good hypothesis contains both the argument and the reasons in support of your argument. 

Example hypotheses:

Medieval castles were designed with features that nullified the superior numbers of besieging armies but were ultimately made obsolete by the development of gunpowder artillery.

Australian soldiers’ opinion of the First World War changed from naïve enthusiasm to pessimistic realism as a result of the harsh realities of modern industrial warfare.

The success of the 1967 Referendum was a direct result of the efforts of First Nations leaders such as Charles Perkins, Faith Bandler and the Federal Council for the Advancement of Aborigines and Torres Strait Islanders.

Gaius Marius was the most one of the most significant personalities in the 1 st century BC due to his effect on the political, military and social structures of the Roman state.

3. Elaboration sentences

Once you have stated your argument in your hypothesis , you need to provide particular information about how you’re going to prove your argument.

Your elaboration sentences should be one or two sentences that provide specific details about how you’re going to cover the argument in your three body paragraphs.

You might also briefly summarise two or three of your main points.

Finally, explain any important key words, phrases or concepts that you’ve used in your hypothesis, you’ll need to do this in your elaboration sentences.

Example elaboration sentences:

By the height of the Middle Ages, feudal lords were investing significant sums of money by incorporating concentric walls and guard towers to maximise their defensive potential. These developments were so successful that many medieval armies avoided sieges in the late period.

Following Britain's official declaration of war on Germany, young Australian men voluntarily enlisted into the army, which was further encouraged by government propaganda about the moral justifications for the conflict. However, following the initial engagements on the Gallipoli peninsula, enthusiasm declined.

The political activity of key indigenous figures and the formation of activism organisations focused on indigenous resulted in a wider spread of messages to the general Australian public. The generation of powerful images and speeches has been frequently cited by modern historians as crucial to the referendum results.

While Marius is best known for his military reforms, it is the subsequent impacts of this reform on the way other Romans approached the attainment of magistracies and how public expectations of military leaders changed that had the longest impacts on the late republican period.

4. Signpost sentence

The final sentence of your introduction should prepare the reader for the topic of your first body paragraph. The main purpose of this sentence is to provide cohesion between your introductory paragraph and you first body paragraph .

Therefore, a signpost sentence indicates where you will begin proving the argument that you set out in your hypothesis and usually states the importance of the first point that you’re about to make. 

Example signpost sentences:

The early development of castles is best understood when examining their military purpose.

The naïve attitudes of those who volunteered in 1914 can be clearly seen in the personal letters and diaries that they themselves wrote.

The significance of these people is evident when examining the lack of political representation the indigenous people experience in the early half of the 20 th century.

The origin of Marius’ later achievements was his military reform in 107 BC, which occurred when he was first elected as consul.

Putting it all together

Once you have written all four parts of the BHES structure, you should have a completed introduction paragraph. In the examples above, we have shown each part separately. Below you will see the completed paragraphs so that you can appreciate what an introduction should look like.

Example introduction paragraphs: 

Castles were an important component of Medieval Britain from the time of the Norman conquest in 1066 until they were phased out in the 15th and 16th centuries. Initially introduced as wooden motte and bailey structures on geographical strongpoints, they were rapidly replaced by stone fortresses which incorporated sophisticated defensive designs to improve the defenders’ chances of surviving prolonged sieges. Medieval castles were designed with features that nullified the superior numbers of besieging armies, but were ultimately made obsolete by the development of gunpowder artillery. By the height of the Middle Ages, feudal lords were investing significant sums of money by incorporating concentric walls and guard towers to maximise their defensive potential. These developments were so successful that many medieval armies avoided sieges in the late period. The early development of castles is best understood when examining their military purpose.

The First World War began in 1914 following the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand. The subsequent declarations of war from most of Europe drew other countries into the conflict, including Australia. The Australian Imperial Force joined the war as part of Britain’s armed forces and were dispatched to locations in the Middle East and Western Europe. Australian soldiers’ opinion of the First World War changed from naïve enthusiasm to pessimistic realism as a result of the harsh realities of modern industrial warfare. Following Britain's official declaration of war on Germany, young Australian men voluntarily enlisted into the army, which was further encouraged by government propaganda about the moral justifications for the conflict. However, following the initial engagements on the Gallipoli peninsula, enthusiasm declined. The naïve attitudes of those who volunteered in 1914 can be clearly seen in the personal letters and diaries that they themselves wrote.

The 1967 Referendum sought to amend the Australian Constitution in order to change the legal standing of the indigenous people in Australia. The fact that 90% of Australians voted in favour of the proposed amendments has been attributed to a series of significant events and people who were dedicated to the referendum’s success. The success of the 1967 Referendum was a direct result of the efforts of First Nations leaders such as Charles Perkins, Faith Bandler and the Federal Council for the Advancement of Aborigines and Torres Strait Islanders. The political activity of key indigenous figures and the formation of activism organisations focused on indigenous resulted in a wider spread of messages to the general Australian public. The generation of powerful images and speeches has been frequently cited by modern historians as crucial to the referendum results. The significance of these people is evident when examining the lack of political representation the indigenous people experience in the early half of the 20th century.

In the late second century BC, the Roman novus homo Gaius Marius became one of the most influential men in the Roman Republic. Marius gained this authority through his victory in the Jugurthine War, with his defeat of Jugurtha in 106 BC, and his triumph over the invading Germanic tribes in 101 BC, when he crushed the Teutones at the Battle of Aquae Sextiae (102 BC) and the Cimbri at the Battle of Vercellae (101 BC). Marius also gained great fame through his election to the consulship seven times. Gaius Marius was the most one of the most significant personalities in the 1st century BC due to his effect on the political, military and social structures of the Roman state. While Marius is best known for his military reforms, it is the subsequent impacts of this reform on the way other Romans approached the attainment of magistracies and how public expectations of military leaders changed that had the longest impacts on the late republican period. The origin of Marius’ later achievements was his military reform in 107 BC, which occurred when he was first elected as consul.

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Ways of Writing an A-Level History Coursework

When it comes to history coursework, you have to be sharp in the different historical events. The information you write has to be real, and for your work to be standard, you will depend on various sources. You have to know the tips for writing a perfect essay because history coursework is all about that. There is no way you can survive if you have poor writing skills. Even if you have strong points and do not know how to arrange them, you will still get low marks. You have to show the reader that you know what you are writing by following the writing procedure.

When you have to write a coursework, do not depend on only one source, you need to get information from different places. You also have to think for you to come up with the correct causes of a particular event. If you are having problems, you have a choice of going through other samples so that you can have a better understanding. To some people considering a History is easy because they do not know what awaits them.

When you choose a history course, be ready to work on coursework. When students get to this point, some of them give up while others write shady essays. The secret here is knowing how to write an excellent paper. If you are having challenges with writing, worry not because you are in the right place. You are going to learn the steps to take for you to have a standard paper.

Ways of Writing a Coursework Introduction

The first thing that should come to your mind in this part is the thesis statement. You have to write a perfect statement. It will give the reader a clue about what to expect in your paper. You have to ensure that you have an exciting introduction that flows naturally. When you are writing this part, concentrate on the historical events you have decided to consider in your piece.

 Do not forget to include the evidence so that your work makes more sense. If you leave out the proofs, there is nothing you are doing. To remain on the right path, write down questions on a piece of paper, and you will have a great understanding of what you are doing. If you consider using this format, you will have a top-notch introduction. Remember that if your introduction is boring, the reader will put your work aside and move to the next. Make it as appealing as you can.

Ways of Writing the Body

Here you will have to write all your arguments to support your paper and make it useful. Be sure to have a list that has all the facts that you need. You will start by explaining your quotes and make sure you do not copy from anywhere. Let it come from your head so that it makes sense. Do not forget to support your analysis with historical evidence. Ensure you write the limitations by giving ideas.

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The Gale Review

A blog from Gale International

The Big Leap: Top Tips for History Coursework moving from A-Levels to University

│By Lydia Clarke, Gale Ambassador at the University of Leeds│

Moving to a completely new place is incredibly challenging. After A-Levels, I know the last thing you want to think about is university assignments, but I promise they are not that scary. Whilst there is sadly not a magical wand to whisk away university stress, this blog post will hopefully help you manage your coursework without burning out. Gale Primary Sources digital archives were massively helpful for me to find relevant primary source material and get to grips with practising my critical thinking skills. I will demonstrate how in my first year at university I used a book I found in Eighteenth Century Collections Online to apply and evaluate my analysis of the debate about gender studies in history for my coursework.

How does History Coursework vary from A-Levels to University?

Looking back as a second-year undergraduate student, I think the most noticeable variation for me was incorporating primary sources. For my A-Levels, secondary sources reigned supreme as I explored scholarly research platforms like Google Scholar and JSTOR to evaluate my interpretation of Anne Boleyn’s downfall.

This experience greatly helped me learn how to research other historians’ arguments and how they fit into a wider historiographical debate, but it left me with no knowledge of how to find primary sources beyond those we were given for our course. In my first year of university, this was a major obstacle because I didn’t know where to begin when lecturers repeatedly emphasised the importance of finding primary sources to include.

Following my seminar tutor’s advice to explore the subject databases linked on the University Libraries’ website, I came across Eighteenth Century Collections Online which introduced me to the millions of sources in Gale Primary Sources digital archives. It has been my go-to whenever I need to find further primary sources for my modules because of the wide variety available.

Tips on How to Approach your History Coursework

With fewer contact hours and clashing deadlines, experimenting with when you work to find out what times you’re more productive, can help university seem less overwhelming. Keeping an online or physical diary and following a little and often approach can make coursework more manageable by breaking it down into sections, rather than trying to do everything at once.

Everyone works differently, so it is vital to figure out where you work best. University offers choices of study spaces to keep you engaged whether it’s the library, local cafes, and your accommodation. I have found switching up my study spaces every so often helps me to maximise my concentration. This can be great as well if you experience writer’s block to help give you a fresh perspective.

The sooner you start your coursework the better. This has most likely been said since the dawn of time, and I wouldn’t blame you for rolling your eyes, but it really does give you more breathing room to pursue wider reading beyond the module reading list, ask any questions you come across and time to redraft any changes you might want to make.

You need to live and breathe mark schemes. It may seem obvious, but unlike A-Levels university has no past papers, so mark schemes are the only resource to see how exactly tutors will assess your work. It doesn’t mean there’s one right way to write your assignments, but they can be very useful to inform which aspects to dedicate the most time and effort towards.

The Tips in Action

One of the first ever essays I had to do was review the historiography surrounding gender history and apply my evaluations to critically analyse a primary source. It was then I started to explore Eighteenth Century Collections Online for potentially relevant sources. Navigating databases is straightforward once you know how but takes practice to figure out how to get the most useful search results. Going into any archive you will most likely be confronted with a page like this:

In my debate review, I concluded that dual analytical approach of descriptive and causal analysis with restrained intersectional scope was the best method for historians to analyse gender’s historical significance.  I observed that factors like marriage, sexuality, and religion were key areas historians investigated to understand how over time stereotypical gender roles were used to socially construct gender identity. The late eighteenth century proved to be a particularly contested period for historians, so I knew I needed to find a source which reflected these themes and timeframe.

Rather like how I would search for secondary sources in my university library, the advance search feature allowed me to narrow down my results by key search terms, and filter my results by publication date:

Starting earlier gave me time to read widely about the overall debate for how the gender history approach should be carried out, and to closely examine the mark scheme which revealed that applying our findings to analyse our primary source was the most pivotal aspect of that particular coursework.

In the planning stages, I made a timetable separating my coursework into different stages, and I allocated the most time to researching and evaluating a primary source. The little and often approach allowed me the flexibility to stay productive, give myself time to unwind and keep refining my search results until I found the most useful source; Advice to Unmarried Women , a late eighteenth-century anonymous advice book, which exemplified the complicated relations between gender and religion at the time.  

The Ultimate Advice

Unfortunately, there isn’t a one-size-fits all solution to approaching coursework from A-Levels to university, but the most important piece of advice I learned in my first year was to make sure to rest, whether that’s doing a society event, pursuing a hobby, or even just going for a walk. It’s easier said than done, but to be highly productive it’s essential to look after yourself beyond the bare essentials. University is a marathon, not a sprint.

If you enjoyed reading about how to manage your coursework, check out these posts:

• Making Peace Or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love Primary Sources
• An Undergraduate’s Companion: Finding Primary Sources Using Gale’s Alternative Search Tools
• Using Primary Sources in Revision and Exam Preparation

Blog post cover image citation: Image from @windows on Unsplash: https://unsplash.com/photos/macbook-pro-on-brown-wooden-table-zSCHyhiRSeQ

About the Author

Lydia is a second-year undergraduate history student at the University of Leeds. She can usually be found with her head in a book and is particularly passionate about studying gender history in and around the Early Modern Period and decolonising the curriculum in museums, heritage sites and educational institutions across Britain. When she’s not in the library Lydia loves playing tennis, going to her local pub quiz, listening to Taylor Swift, and crafting.

Introduction

Chapter outline.

What is history? Is it simply a record of things people have done? Is it what writer Maya Angelou suggested—a way to meet the pain of the past and overcome it? Or is it, as Winston Churchill said, a chronicle by the victors, an interpretation by those who write it? History is all this and more. Above all else, it is a path to knowing why we are the way we are—all our greatness, all our faults—and therefore a means for us to understand ourselves and change for the better.

But history serves this function only if it is a true reflection of the past. It cannot be a way to mask the darker parts of human nature, nor a way to justify acts of previous generations. It is the historian’s task to paint as clear a picture as sources will allow.

Will history ever be a perfect telling of the human tale? No. There are voices we may never hear. Yet each new history book written and each new source uncovered reveal an ever more precise record of events around the world ( Figure 1.1 ). You are about to take a journey into human history.

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Guidance for writing the coursework essay for students

This document – guidance for writing the coursework essay for students – outlines how to write an introduction, a conclusion, and provides a range of key words and phrases to help them analyse significance. It also makes use of the ClassTools “Essay Writing Bookmark” which I have made freely available for download here .

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Course Introductions

As the course begins, introduce yourself by sharing your name, teaching and research specialities, interests, or anything else you’re comfortable sharing. Set specific expectations and have students do the same. This is an effective ice breaker activity that allows students to get to know one another. Create this activity as a discussion forum and have students respond to several peers.

Using this strategy to build a sense of community at the beginning of a course helps create a safe and trusting environment. You also set an initial expectation that students will engage with you and each other.

• Post an “official” biography on a dedicated page in the course. Include your picture so students can see what you look like.
• Post a friendlier introduction as the first post in an introduction discussion forum.
• Create a short video or audio introduction that welcomes students to the course to accompany a brief bio

Below you will find example prompts for introduction forums. Depending on how you would like students to provide their introductions (or how you’d like to provide your introduction), select from text, audio, or video. You can also combine all three options and give students the choice in how they respond. The provided links are to either Canvas guides or UNC Charlotte FAQs.

Text Introductions:

Example: Welcome to the course! Please take a moment to introduce yourself to the class. Introduction posts will be due by Wednesday at midnight. Provide:

• Your college/program
• What you hope to get out of the course
• Your one “must have” item or (family-friendly) activity that makes you happy
• Read your fellow participants’ posts, and respond if you’d like.

Video Introductions:

Welcome to the course! Please take a moment to introduce yourself to the class. Introduction videos will be due by Wednesday at midnight. Provide:

• View your fellow participants’ intro videos, and respond if you’d like. Instructions for recording videos can be found here:
• Download Kaltura Capture
• Record a Video with Kaltura Capture
• Add a Video from Kaltura to a Page or Post
• Record a Video with Canvas Recorder in the Text Editor

Audio Introductions

Welcome to the course! Please take a moment to introduce yourself to the class. Introductions will be due by Wednesday at midnight. Provide:

• Listen to your fellow participants’ intros, and respond if you’d like. Instructions for recording audio can be found here:
• Record Audio with Kaltura Capture
• Add Media from Kaltura to a Page or Post
• Record Audio with Canvas Recorder in the Text Editor (guide says it’s for instructors, but the instructions are the same for students)

How to Write a Coursework Introduction

The first thing that you want to consider when you are writing a coursework introduction is what type of information are you trying to convey? Are you trying to explain the ins and outs of a particular concept? Perhaps you are wanting to teach students about a specific personality type? Perhaps you are explaining the basics of clinical psychology? Once you have decided what you want to convey through your intro, then you need to choose the perfect words to describe your topic. There are literally hundreds of words available for you to use, so you should choose the ones that best describe the topic you are writing about.

Next, you need to consider how much information you are going to include in your intro. This is going to vary depending on the class that you are taking. Some courses allow for a small amount of information, whereas others may require an entire chapter or two to get into. It’s important to remember that the goal of how to write a coursework introduction is to give your audience the broadest possible understanding of your topic. If you fill your intro with too much information it will be boring, but if you leave out enough information then it will be too vague and difficult to understand.

Once you know how much information you are going to include, you can start to brainstorm different topics and how you might write the intro. Some examples of topics you might want to consider include: motivation, processes, goals, basic concepts, and problems. You can start by simply jotting down some ideas and questions, then when you have a few ideas you can tweak them and polish them until they are ready to send in your assignment. You might also find that you already have an outline in mind for the intro and this can help you come up with a better draft.

Once you have finished your coursework intro, make sure that you proofread it thoroughly. Grammatical errors can spell disaster for your assignment and you don’t want to ruin the chance for others to enjoy your work too. A simple internet search can turn up plenty of resources to help you check your writing. You can also watch out for typos as these can steal the thunder from your impressive work. If you are serious about how to write a coursework introduction, you will need to ensure that your content is well written, free from spelling errors, and flows easily.

Now that you know what your topic is and you have your outline to guide you, it’s time to start writing. Begin with the introductory paragraph and write this to engage and convince the reader that your work should be taken seriously. You need to give a reason why your topic is important and how others can benefit from it. You will need to prove your points with facts, and use examples to back up your claims. The goal of course is to close with a suggestion. This is your “call to action” and it’s up to you to make it as persuasive as possible.

Another tip on how to write a coursework introduction is to keep your writing clear and concise. You want to get people interested in reading your paper, but you also don’t want them bored by your topic. The less you use words, the easier it will be for people to understand you. You will also be able to move quickly through your paper.

Learning how to write a coursework introduction should be a fun experience. When you write, be confident and maintain control of the direction of your writing. Be concise, but also don’t cut out anything. Following these tips should help you write a successful introduction to your papers.

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How to write history coursework for a level.

If you are looking for tips on how to write history coursework for A-level, you have come to the right place. In this article, you’ll discover how to find different historians and their differing views, how to structure your essay, and how to use signalling words. Once you have followed the tips above, you’re on your way to becoming a successful student. So, get writing! I hope this article has been useful for you.

Finding historians with different views

In A Level history coursework, students are expected to find historians with differing viewpoints on a given topic. They should explain the reasons for their choice, evaluate each viewpoint, and assess the validity of each. In addition to primary sources, students should compare and contrast the views of two or more historians. Then, students must justify their own interpretation, using evidence and a variety of analysis techniques.

When researching a topic, students should ensure they understand the context of the author and the changing attitudes during the time of writing. While finding historians with contrasting perspectives is important, students should avoid ignoring the past or overusing historiography. Students should also avoid giving generalisations backed by the opinions of multiple historians. Such an argument is circular and presupposes historians to be omniscient and infallible.

Students should also be aware that each historian has their own political perspective. Typically, left-wing historians will focus on issues affecting the lower class, while liberal historians will focus on the rise of capitalism and the rise of the middle class. For example, conservative historians might focus on the decline of radicalism and the failures of political movements. Hence, it is essential to identify historians with different points of view in order to make their history coursework more interesting to read and more readable.

As a rule, history coursework for A Level is worth around 20% of the final grade. The coursework is part of the course that is completely within the control of the student and should be between 3,000 and 4,500 words long. Students are required to analyse two different historians’ points of view in history coursework. Depending on the length of your assignment, you can use more historians’ viewpoints – but you do not have to analyze all of them.

Creating a structure

Creating a structure for history coursework depends on a thesis statement that states what the paper will be about and the context of the event. The thesis statement should be catchy and appealing to readers. The paper should also include evidence and facts relevant to the topic of study. The author can use statistics and policy documents to back up his or her claims. The structure of a history coursework is similar to that of an essay.

The questions on the coursework should be focused on the question and state clearly which interpretation is right and which is wrong. The supporting side must be supported by relevant historical evidence, as this will form the basis for the student’s judgement. The student should consider the level of contextual knowledge and the range of primary sources to support their answer. The student should also consider the types of questions found in examinations. For example, students should use question formulations that begin with ‘To what extent’ or ‘Assess the validity of a view’.

The AO3 examination requires students to critically analyse a historical issue. They will have to evaluate the view of historians and evaluate primary source material. Students should also evaluate the historical material and their usefulness to support their argument. This is an important part of the exam. The AQA will inform the centre if the title does not meet the requirements. If it does, the focus of the coursework must be changed from examination-based assessment to non-examined assessments.

Finding primary sources

Using primary sources for your coursework can help you to understand the period and events of a particular event. Some primary sources may contain more than one meaning. For example, an article about the 1854 cholera outbreak may be a primary source of the event, but it may also be evidence of the spread of illness and the growing social concerns that plagued the time. Some primary sources are not published, but they can still be found in archives. The University of Illinois’ 1930 expense book is a primary source that can only be accessed in person, and the diary from 1912 was published decades later.

Using primary sources in history coursework can also help you improve your skills in source analysis. Primary sources are documents and other forms of information that are often overlooked in the classroom. By examining these documents you can develop your understanding of a time period and how events shaped the world around us. You can also create a scavenger hunt using the documents. It can be fun to hunt through a series of primary sources to find the perfect one.

Primary sources are often subjective, and their authors have opinions or agendas. You must evaluate what they tell you, as well as the wider context. The authors of primary sources may have a bias, and you may not want to read these materials. To make the most of the resources you do use, make a bibliography with the information you use. If you’ve compiled a list of all the articles you’ve read, it’s a good idea to include the author’s full name and date of publication.

Using signalling words

Use signalling words to make your content explicit and readable. Signalling words are used to show the position of the writer towards various units of discourse within a text. In this instance, the word “community” signals a relationship between two parts of the text, for example, two separate pieces of property, such as land and a manor house. By using signalling words, the writer can show readers that these two parts of the text are related in a meaningful way.

Avoiding citing websites in university essays

In order to get a good mark, avoid using sources from Wikipedia and other unreliable websites in your university essays. While Wikipedia is fine for basic information, citing it as a scholarly source will get you in trouble. You must also use the correct style of referencing to ensure your essay is properly referenced. Course handbooks typically list relevant websites that you can use. Nevertheless, if you are unsure about a particular source, you should contact your tutor.

Alternatively, you can also consult your department’s Writing with Style guide to learn more about citing sources. It is important to ensure that your essay has an unnumbered title page with the name of your department, module title, tutor’s name, question you’re answering, and date of submission. You also need to make sure that the margins on all pages are at least one inch. Make sure to reference your sources in an accurate manner, as this is an essential skill for any future employer.

Avoiding incomplete sentences

While some students may not notice the issue, it is vital to avoid using incomplete sentences when writing history coursework. Markers will see through uninformed and haphazard essays. A well-written essay is much more persuasive and efficient in conveying its message. Make sure to set aside time to read relevant books, journal articles, and other scholarly work. Don’t just use school-based websites for this purpose – use a variety of resources and consult with an essay tutor to avoid plagiarism.

Another common mistake is using sentence fragments. An incomplete sentence lacks a subject or a dependent clause. An example of this is “The German army leadership considered an alliance with the Nazis.” This example demonstrates that a student didn’t understand the history or was hedging his bets by using passive language. Instead, use full sentences that will show your ability to communicate your information clearly.

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An Introduction to Supersize Your Story

Cohort-based Course

The most low-risk, high impact way to start writing your story, with confidence - fast!

Dr. Alison Norrington

World-renowned storyteller, world-builder, writer/producer, experience designer.

Previously at

This course is popular

6 people enrolled last week.

Course overview

Elevate your storytelling prowess and ignite your writing career!

After going through An Introduction to Supersize Your Story 4-week program you will:

o Understand the different ways to expand your story so that you can start to write confidently, with a clear focus.

o Be able to make your story & the opportunity for it bigger than you currently think it is.

o Have insights into refining and tightening the thematic premise, the heart, of your story.

o Understand why you want to tell this story - why now, why you?

o Have an awareness of who you're telling your story to, closing in on your audience, whilst also widening and broadening your potential reach.

o Be excited to start skyrocketing your opportunities and attract creative partnerships as a writer.

o Identify the 10 tips for building evergreen, robust storyworlds.

o and more!

Who is this course for :

Writers & Storytellers

who are hungry to hone their craft, want a deep-dive into story and understand their audiences.

looking to supercharge their projects, create fresh, captivating stories and skyrocket their projects success.

Novelists  

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You want to stand out from the noise!

In today's crowded landscape, standing out is essential.

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You're ready to commit to getting your story mapped and written!

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Committing to mapping and writing your narrative is the vital next step.

It's the key to unlocking your story's potential and captivating your audience.

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Seeking an entry point to make a big impact with your story?

An introduction to learning the ropes is your first step toward discovery.

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Embrace the journey of transformation and open new doors to your creative potential.

It's time to redefine your narrative and step into a world where your stories come to life in exciting ways.

You know you have a fantastic story premise or concept, but everyday life is getting in the way of writing it.

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This course includes

4 interactive live sessions

Lifetime access to course materials

30 in-depth lessons

Direct access to instructor

Projects to apply learnings

Guided feedback & reflection

Private community of peers

Course certificate upon completion

Maven Satisfaction Guarantee

This course is backed by Maven’s guarantee. You can receive a full refund within 14 days after the course ends, provided you meet the completion criteria in our refund policy.

Course syllabus

June 10—july 1, june 12—july 3.

Post-Course

BONUS : Your Supersize Your Story Roadmap

What people are saying.

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Stephanie Clark

Artistic Director

Meet your instructor

Dr. Alison Norrington is a world-building storyteller, writer/producer, experience designer, author and founder of storycentral , a London-based global entertainment studio that incubates and develops ground-breaking properties, working with filmmakers, writers, brands, publishers, broadcasters, storytellers and theme parks on incubating new franchises, participative experiences, story architecture, mythology and planning, prototyping, audience development & engagement and utilizing social media.

Alison is also founder of Supersize Your Story , an acclaimed online program that enables writers, producers and creative minds to develop their concept and develop it to its full potential with an ultimate goal to pitch to the entertainment industry.

She is an Honorary Doctor of Arts and has contributed to academic papers and entertainment/storytelling publications. Alison is a best-selling novelist, screenwriter, playwright, journalist, story/script consultant. Over her 25+year career she has worked with SundanceTV, CBS Interactive, Walt Disney Imagineering, FOX International, AMC Networks, BBC, McCann, Coca Cola, DeBeers Group of Companies, UK Metropolitan Police Force, Schleich GmbH, European Broadcasting Union, Cedars-Sinai Medical Centre.  She works as a writer and script consultant for film and television and a consultant on story, worldbuilding and experience design. She has worked with brands such as Ford Motor Company, DeBeers and Forevermark and Disney Brands & Media Partnerships as a strategist and writer. She is a creative and business mentor for a series of Creative UK programs across Development, Storytelling, Business Planning and Production.

She is co-host of The Story Hour podcast, which explores the intersection of storytelling and technology and is a 2x TEDx Speaker. She is featured on the BAFTA Guru series, Conference Chair for StoryWorld Conference & Expo, is a member of The Writers Guild of Great Britain and Women in Film & TV.

Alison is an advocate for entrepreneurship and an inspirational and motivational speaker with her heart firmly in story and her feet firmly on the ground.

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Course schedule

4-6 hours per week, tuesdays & thursdays.

1:00pm - 2:00pm EST

If your events are recurring and at the same time, it might be easiest to use a single line item to communicate your course schedule to students

May 7, 2022

Feel free to type out dates as your title as a way to communicate information about specific live sessions or other events.

Weekly projects

2 hours per week

Schedule items can also be used to convey commitments outside of specific time slots (like weekly projects or daily office hours).

Learning is better with cohorts

Active hands-on learning

This course builds on live workshops and hands-on projects

Interactive and project-based

You’ll be interacting with other learners through breakout rooms and project teams

Learn with a cohort of peers

Join a community of like-minded people who want to learn and grow alongside you

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Learner Reviews & Feedback for Black Canadians: History, Presence, and Anti-Racist Futures by University of Alberta

About the course, top reviews.

Apr 11, 2024

A comprehensive introduction to Black Canadians in the past, present, and future. This is a must for all Canadians who did not learn about Black Canadians in school or university.

Mar 25, 2024

This course was inviting, educational, and inspiring.

1 - 8 of 8 Reviews for Black Canadians: History, Presence, and Anti-Racist Futures

By Leslie W

Mar 5, 2024

This course is beautifully, holistically, and sensitively put together. After the first Module, I have already found it to be an important experience to participate in. The learning experience is smooth, video work exquisite. The storytelling approach gives a nuanced sense of history that has shaped our lives here and around the world. Thanks for all of this!

By Dorothy K

Apr 6, 2024

This course was very informative. The videos and readings were most interesting as they introduced me to Black scholars, musicians, writers, poets, actors and other creatives. I am so glad I took it. Thank you. I hope to share book titles, songs and names with people I know.

By Kathleen M

Apr 17, 2024

This course could easily be twice as long, I feel there is so much more to learn and I will delve into all of the resources that have been given throughout the course, to continue my learning. This course should be a part of the school curriculum.

By Benita H

Mar 26, 2024

By Nicole R

Fantastic information

Mar 31, 2024

A broad ranging overview of Canada's Black history provides useful information for anyone who participates. There are also many resources that will expand your experience even further.

By Tracy J B

Apr 15, 2024

Good coverage of material, needs more info of the route and experience to Africaville

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