Advanced Higher History dissertation - Writing the dissertation

Advanced Higher History dissertation - Writing the dissertation

1. Writing the dissertation Advanced Higher History | Dissertation

2. Advanced Higher History | Dissertation Basic structure Abstract/Introduction Outline context, factors, historian views, conclusion   Main sections Aim to discuss at least three issues (in chapters) Include facts, analysis, historiography and evaluation ** Analyse at least one primary source   Conclusion Summarise main points and clearly answer the exact question; give evidence to support conclusion

3. Advanced Higher History | Dissertation Writing the Abstract/Introduction Introduce your question as well as defining any key terms, including identifying historical context Describe the main factors you will discuss, including identifying any sub-issues . Also, explain why you did/did not choose factors. Summarise and prioritise the main interpretations (historian views) on your chosen issues Clearly state the overall line of argument (conclusion) that you will argue throughout your essay Describe your research method(s ) . This includes research types, how/why you selected data. Also, state referencing technique .

4. Advanced Higher History | Dissertation Writing the Main sections Aim to discuss at least three factors. In each you should: Introduce the factor with a topic sentence that links to question Include evidence which describes the factor under discussion Analyse the evidence throughout – explain the relevance of your facts to the overall question you are answering Analysis includes: arguments for and against the importance of each factor, links between different factors, etc. Show awareness of historical debate (try to compare ; and don’t just give “quotes”, explain why the historian thinks this) Include an overall evaluation of the factor, linking back to the question ( mini-conclusion )

5. Advanced Higher History | Dissertation Writing a Conclusion Writing a good conclusion is essential. Your conclusion should: Re-state your question Give an definitive answer about the exact question you were originally set Give evidence to support your overall judgement It is absolutely vital that your conclusion makes very specific reference to the question Summarise and compare the main points of your discussion, in relation to the question and your line of argument If you have written mini-conclusions at the end of each section of your essay, then the first requirement is fairly straightforward

6. Advanced Higher History | Dissertation Helpful tips Use sophisticated language e.g . Although; Arguably; Additionally; Essentially; Moreover; Therefore ; Furthermore; However; Significantly; Despite; Clearly ; It might be argued…; It has been suggested…; It is debatable whether…; This view has been challenged by…; Many historians believe Try to avoid using first person phrases e.g . ‘I think that…’; ‘In my opinion …’ Never use abbreviations unless it is appropriate to do so e.g. SS, NSDAP

7. Advanced Higher History | Dissertation What do you think? The most important thing is to ensure that this is your dissertation Markers want to know what you think (and why ) – that’s why Analysis and Evaluation are so important Don’t overload your essay with historians’ views or detail without an explanation of its relevance