How do you create and test historical arguments?

1 Identify a historical question

The first step to create a historical argument is to identify a historical question that interests you and that can be answered with evidence. A historical question is not a simple fact or opinion, but a problem or issue that requires analysis and explanation. For example, instead of asking "When did the French Revolution start?" you could ask "What were the main causes and consequences of the French Revolution?" A good historical question should be clear, specific, and relevant to your topic and purpose.

2 Gather and evaluate sources

The next step is to gather and evaluate sources that can provide evidence and information to answer your historical question. Sources can be primary or secondary, depending on whether they were produced by someone who witnessed or participated in the historical event or by someone who analyzed or interpreted it later. You should use a variety of sources that represent different perspectives, viewpoints, and interpretations of the past. You should also evaluate the sources for their reliability, credibility, bias, and accuracy, considering their origin, purpose, context, and content.

3 Develop a historical thesis

The third step is to develop a historical thesis that states your main claim or argument about the historical question. A historical thesis should be based on evidence and logic, not on personal feelings or beliefs. It should also be debatable, meaning that someone could disagree with it or challenge it with counter-evidence or alternative arguments. A historical thesis should be concise, coherent, and specific, expressing your main point and your subpoints in one or two sentences. For example, "The French Revolution was caused by a combination of social, economic, and political factors that led to a crisis of the monarchy and the rise of popular movements. The revolution had significant and lasting effects on France and Europe, such as the abolition of feudalism, the declaration of human rights, and the emergence of nationalism."

6 Revise and refine your historical argument

The final step is to revise and refine your historical argument to make it more clear, coherent, and convincing. Revising your historical argument involves checking and improving its content, structure, and style. You should review your historical question, thesis, evidence, analysis, and counterarguments, and make sure that they are relevant, consistent, and logical. You should also check your grammar, spelling, punctuation, and citation, and correct any errors or mistakes. Refining your historical argument involves getting feedback from others, such as peers, instructors, or experts, and incorporating their suggestions or criticisms into your argument. You should also compare your argument with other existing arguments on the same topic, and see how yours differs or contributes to the historical knowledge.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?